Jane Austen
Emma
To
His Royal Highness
THE PRINCE REGENT
This Work Is
By His Royal Highnesss Permission
Most Respectfully
Dedicated
By His Royal Highnesss
Dutiful
And Obedient
Humble Servant
THE AUTHOR
Volume I
Chapter I
Emma Woodhouse handsome clever and rich with a comfortable home and happy
disposition seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had
lived nearly twentyone years in the world with very little to distress or vex
her
She was the youngest of the two daughters of a most affectionate indulgent
father and had in consequence of her sisters marriage been mistress of his
house from a very early period Her mother had died too long ago for her to have
more than an indistinct remembrance of her caresses and her place had been
supplied by an excellent woman as governess who had fallen little short of a
mother in affection
Sixteen years had Miss Taylor been in Mr Woodhouses family less as a
governess than a friend very fond of both daughters but particularly of Emma
Between them it was more the intimacy of sisters Even before Miss Taylor had
ceased to hold the nominal office of governess the mildness of her temper had
hardly allowed her to impose any restraint and the shadow of authority being
now long passed away they had been living together as friend and friend very
mutually attached and Emma doing just what she liked highly esteeming Miss
Taylors judgment but directed chiefly by her own
The real evils indeed of Emmas situation were the power of having rather
too much her own way and a disposition to think a little too well of herself
these were the disadvantages which threatened alloy to her many enjoyments The
danger however was at present so unperceived that they did not by any means
rank as misfortunes with her
Sorrow came a gentle sorrow but not at all in the shape of any
disagreeable consciousness Miss Taylor married It was Miss Taylors loss
which first brought grief It was on the weddingday of this beloved friend that
Emma first sat in mournful thought of any continuance The wedding over and the
bridepeople gone her father and herself were left to dine together with no
prospect of a third to cheer a long evening Her father composed himself to
sleep after dinner as usual and she had then only to sit and think of what she
had lost
The event had every promise of happiness for her friend Mr Weston was a
man of unexceptionable character easy fortune suitable age and pleasant
manners and there was some satisfaction in considering with what selfdenying
generous friendship she had always wished and promoted the match but it was a
black mornings work for her The want of Miss Taylor would be felt every hour
of every day She recalled her past kindness the kindness the affection of
sixteen years how she had taught and how she had played with her from five
years old how she had devoted all her powers to attach and amuse her in health
and how nursed her through the various illnesses of childhood A large debt of
gratitude was owing here but the intercourse of the last seven years the equal
footing and perfect unreserve which had soon followed Isabellas marriage on
their being left to each other was yet a dearer tenderer recollection It had
been a friend and companion such as few possessed intelligent wellinformed
useful gentle knowing all the ways of the family interested in all its
concerns and peculiarly interested in herself in every pleasure every scheme
of hers one to whom she could speak every thought as it arose and who had
such an affection for her as could never find fault
How was she to bear the change It was true that her friend was going only
half a mile from them but Emma was aware that great must be the difference
between a Mrs Weston only half a mile from them and a Miss Taylor in the
house and with all her advantages natural and domestic she was now in great
danger of suffering from intellectual solitude She dearly loved her father but
he was no companion for her He could not meet her in conversation rational or
playful
The evil of the actual disparity in their ages and Mr Woodhouse had not
married early was much increased by his constitution and habits for having
been a valetudinarian all his life without activity of mind or body he was a
much older man in ways than in years and though everywhere beloved for the
friendliness of his heart and his amiable temper his talents could not have
recommended him at any time
Her sister though comparatively but little removed by matrimony being
settled in London only sixteen miles off was much beyond her daily reach and
many a long October and November evening must be struggled through at Hartfield
before Christmas brought the next visit from Isabella and her husband and their
little children to fill the house and give her pleasant society again
Highbury the large and populous village almost amounting to a town to
which Hartfield in spite of its separate lawn and shrubberies and name did
really belong afforded her no equals The Woodhouses were first in consequence
there All looked up to them She had many acquaintance in the place for her
father was universally civil but not one among them who could be accepted in
lieu of Miss Taylor for even half a day It was a melancholy change and Emma
could not but sigh over it and wish for impossible things till her father
awoke and made it necessary to be cheerful His spirits required support He
was a nervous man easily depressed fond of every body that he was used to and
hating to part with them hating change of every kind Matrimony as the origin
of change was always disagreeable and he was by no means yet reconciled to his
own daughters marrying nor could ever speak of her but with compassion though
it had been entirely a match of affection when he was now obliged to part with
Miss Taylor too and from his habits of gentle selfishness and of being never
able to suppose that other people could feel differently from himself he was
very much disposed to think Miss Taylor had done as sad a thing for herself as
for them and would have been a great deal happier if she had spent all the rest
of her life at Hartfield Emma smiled and chatted as cheerfully as she could to
keep him from such thoughts but when tea came it was impossible for him not to
say exactly as he had said at dinner
»Poor Miss Taylor I wish she were here again What a pity it is that Mr
Weston ever thought of her«
»I cannot agree with you papa you know I cannot Mr Weston is such a
goodhumoured pleasant excellent man that he thoroughly deserves a good wife
and you would not have had Miss Taylor live with us for ever and bear all my
odd humours when she might have a house of her own«
»A house of her own but where is the advantage of a house of her own
This is three times as large And you have never any odd humours my dear«
»How often we shall be going to see them and they coming to see us We
shall be always meeting We must begin we must go and pay our weddingvisit
very soon«
»My dear how am I to get so far Randalls is such a distance I could not
walk half so far«
»No papa nobody thought of your walking We must go in the carriage to be
sure«
»The carriage But James will not like to put the horses to for such a
little way and where are the poor horses to be while we are paying our
visit«
»They are to be put into Mr Westons stable papa You know we have settled
all that already We talked it all over with Mr Weston last night And as for
James you may be very sure he will always like going to Randalls because of
his daughters being housemaid there I only doubt whether he will ever take us
anywhere else That was your doing papa You got Hannah that good place
Nobody thought of Hannah till you mentioned her James is so obliged to you«
»I am very glad I did think of her It was very lucky for I would not have
had poor James think himself slighted upon any account and I am sure she will
make a very good servant she is a civil prettyspoken girl I have a great
opinion of her Whenever I see her she always curtseys and asks me how I do in
a very pretty manner and when you have had her here to do needlework I observe
she always turns the lock of the door the right way and never bangs it I am
sure she will be an excellent servant and it will be a great comfort to poor
Miss Taylor to have somebody about her that she is used to see Whenever James
goes over to see his daughter you know she will be hearing of us He will be
able to tell her how we all are«
Emma spared no exertions to maintain this happier flow of ideas, and hoped
by the help of backgammon to get her father tolerably through the evening and
be attacked by no regrets but her own The backgammontable was placed but a
visitor immediately afterwards walked in and made it unnecessary
Mr Knightley a sensible man about seven or eightandthirty was not only
a very old and intimate friend of the family but particularly connected with it
as the elder brother of Isabellas husband He lived about a mile from Highbury
was a frequent visitor and always welcome and at this time more welcome than
usual as coming directly from their mutual connections in London He had
returned to a late dinner after some days absence and now walked up to
Hartfield to say that all were well in Brunswicksquare It was a happy
circumstance and animated Mr Woodhouse for some time Mr Knightley had a
cheerful manner which always did him good and his many inquiries after poor
Isabella and her children were answered most satisfactorily When this was over
Mr Woodhouse gratefully observed
»It is very kind of you Mr Knightley to come out at this late hour to
call upon us I am afraid you must have had a shocking walk«
»Not at all sir It is a beautiful moonlight night and so mild that I
must draw back from your great fire«
»But you must have found it very damp and dirty I wish you may not catch
cold«
»Dirty sir Look at my shoes Not a speck on them«
»Well that is quite surprizing for we have had a vast deal of rain here
It rained dreadfully hard for half an hour while we were at breakfast I wanted
them to put off the wedding«
»By the bye I have not wished you joy Being pretty well aware of what
sort of joy you must both be feeling I have been in no hurry with my
congratulations But I hope it all went off tolerably well How did you all
behave Who cried most«
»Ah poor Miss Taylor tis a sad business«
»Poor Mr and Miss Woodhouse if you please but I cannot possibly say poor
Miss Taylor I have a great regard for you and Emma but when it comes to the
question of dependence or independence At any rate it must be better to have
only one to please than two«
»Especially when one of those two is such a fanciful troublesome creature«
said Emma playfully »That is what you have in your head I know and what you
would certainly say if my father were not by«
»I believe it is very true my dear indeed« said Mr Woodhouse with a
sigh »I am afraid I am sometimes very fanciful and troublesome«
»My dearest papa You do not think I could mean you or suppose Mr
Knightley to mean you What a horrible idea Oh no I meant only myself Mr
Knightley loves to find fault with me you know in a joke it is all a joke
We always say what we like to one another.«
Mr Knightley in fact was one of the few people who could see faults in
Emma Woodhouse and the only one who ever told her of them and though this was
not particularly agreeable to Emma herself she knew it would be so much less so
to her father that she would not have him really suspect such a circumstance as
her not being thought perfect by every body
»Emma knows I never flatter her« said Mr Knightley »but I meant no
reflection on any body Miss Taylor has been used to have two persons to please
she will now have but one The chances are that she must be a gainer«
»Well« said Emma willing to let it pass »you want to hear about the
wedding and I shall be happy to tell you for we all behaved charmingly Every
body was punctual every body in their best looks Not a tear and hardly a long
face to be seen Oh no we all felt that we were going to be only half a mile
apart and were sure of meeting every day«
»Dear Emma bears every thing so well« said her father »But Mr Knightley
she is really very sorry to lose poor Miss Taylor and I am sure she will miss
her more than she thinks for«
Emma turned away her head divided between tears and smiles
»It is impossible that Emma should not miss such a companion« said Mr
Knightley »We should not like her so well as we do sir if we could suppose
it But she knows how much the marriage is to Miss Taylors advantage she knows
how very acceptable it must be at Miss Taylors time of life to be settled in a
home of her own and how important to her to be secure of a comfortable
provision and therefore cannot allow herself to feel so much pain as pleasure
Every friend of Miss Taylor must be glad to have her so happily married«
»And you have forgotten one matter of joy to me« said Emma »and a very
considerable one that I made the match myself I made the match you know
four years ago and to have it take place and be proved in the right when so
many people said Mr Weston would never marry again may comfort me for any
thing.«
Mr Knightley shook his head at her Her father fondly replied »Ah my
dear I wish you would not make matches and foretel things for whatever you say
always comes to pass Pray do not make any more matches«
»I promise you to make none for myself papa but I must indeed for other
people It is the greatest amusement in the world And after such success you
know Every body said that Mr Weston would never marry again Oh dear no
Mr Weston who had been a widower so long and who seemed so perfectly
comfortable without a wife so constantly occupied either in his business in
town or among his friends here always acceptable wherever he went always
cheerful Mr Weston need not spend a single evening in the year alone if he
did not like it Oh no Mr Weston certainly would never marry again Some
people even talked of a promise to his wife on her deathbed and others of the
son and the uncle not letting him All manner of solemn nonsense was talked on
the subject but I believed none of it Ever since the day about four years
ago that Miss Taylor and I met with him in Broadwaylane when because it
began to mizzle he darted away with so much gallantry and borrowed two
umbrellas for us from Farmer Mitchells I made up my mind on the subject I
planned the match from that hour and when such success has blessed me in this
instance dear papa you cannot think that I shall leave off matchmaking«
»I do not understand what you mean by success« said Mr Knightley »Success
supposes endeavour Your time has been properly and delicately spent if you
have been endeavouring for the last four years to bring about this marriage A
worthy employment for a young ladys mind But if which I rather imagine your
making the match as you call it means only your planning it your saying to
yourself one idle day I think it would be a very good thing for Miss Taylor if
Mr Weston were to marry her and saying it again to yourself every now and then
afterwards why do you talk of success where is your merit what are you
proud of you made a lucky guess and that is all that can be said«
»And have you never known the pleasure and triumph of a lucky guess I
pity you I thought you cleverer for depend upon it a lucky guess is never
merely luck There is always some talent in it And as to my poor word success
which you quarrel with I do not know that I am so entirely without any claim to
it You have drawn two pretty pictures but I think there may be a third a
something between the donothing and the doall If I had not promoted Mr
Westons visits here and given many little encouragements and smoothed many
little matters it might not have come to any thing after all I think you must
know Hartfield enough to comprehend that«
»A straightforward openhearted man like Weston and a rational
unaffected woman like Miss Taylor may be safely left to manage their own
concerns You are more likely to have done harm to yourself than good to them
by interference«
»Emma never thinks of herself if she can do good to others« rejoined Mr
Woodhouse understanding but in part »But my dear pray do not make any more
matches they are silly things and break up ones family circle grievously«
»Only one more papa only for Mr Elton Poor Mr Elton You like Mr
Elton papa I must look about for a wife for him There is nobody in Highbury
who deserves him and he has been here a whole year and has fitted up his
house so comfortably that it would be a shame to have him single any longer
and I thought when he was joining their hands today he looked so very much as
if he would like to have the same kind office done for him I think very well of
Mr Elton and this is the only way I have of doing him a service«
»Mr Elton is a very pretty young man to be sure and a very good young man
and I have a great regard for him But if you want to shew him any attention my
dear ask him to come and dine with us some day That will be a much better
thing I dare say Mr Knightley will be so kind as to meet him«
»With a great deal of pleasure sir at any time« said Mr Knightley
laughing »and I agree with you entirely that it will be a much better thing
Invite him to dinner Emma and help him to the best of the fish and the
chicken but leave him to chuse his own wife Depend upon it a man of six or
sevenandtwenty can take care of himself«
Chapter II
Mr Weston was a native of Highbury and born of a respectable family which for
the last two or three generations had been rising into gentility and property
He had received a good education but on succeeding early in life to a small
independence had become indisposed for any of the more homely pursuits in which
his brothers were engaged and had satisfied an active cheerful mind and social
temper by entering into the militia of his county then embodied
Captain Weston was a general favourite and when the chances of his military
life had introduced him to Miss Churchill of a great Yorkshire family and Miss
Churchill fell in love with him nobody was surprized except her brother and his
wife who had never seen him and who were full of pride and importance which
the connection would offend
Miss Churchill however being of age and with the full command of her
fortune though her fortune bore no proportion to the familyestate was not
to be dissuaded from the marriage and it took place to the infinite
mortification of Mr and Mrs Churchill who threw her off with due decorum It
was an unsuitable connection and did not produce much happiness Mrs Weston
ought to have found more in it for she had a husband whose warm heart and sweet
temper made him think every thing due to her in return for the great goodness of
being in love with him but though she had one sort of spirit she had not the
best She had resolution enough to pursue her own will in spite of her brother
but not enough to refrain from unreasonable regrets at that brothers
unreasonable anger nor from missing the luxuries of her former home They lived
beyond their income but still it was nothing in comparison of Enscombe she did
not cease to love her husband but she wanted at once to be the wife of Captain
Weston and Miss Churchill of Enscombe
Captain Weston who had been considered especially by the Churchills as
making such an amazing match was proved to have much the worst of the bargain
for when his wife died after a three years marriage he was rather a poorer man
than at first and with a child to maintain From the expense of the child
however he was soon relieved The boy had with the additional softening claim
of a lingering illness of his mothers been the means of a sort of
reconciliation and Mr and Mrs Churchill having no children of their own nor
any other young creature of equal kindred to care for offered to take the whole
charge of the little Frank soon after her decease Some scruples and some
reluctance the widowerfather may be supposed to have felt but as they were
overcome by other considerations the child was given up to the care and the
wealth of the Churchills and he had only his own comfort to seek and his own
situation to improve as he could
A complete change of life became desirable He quitted the militia and
engaged in trade having brothers already established in a good way in London
which afforded him a favourable opening It was a concern which brought just
employment enough He had still a small house in Highbury where most of his
leisure days were spent and between useful occupation and the pleasures of
society the next eighteen or twenty years of his life passed cheerfully away
He had by that time realized an easy competence enough to secure the
purchase of a little estate adjoining Highbury which he had always longed for
enough to marry a woman as portionless even as Miss Taylor and to live
according to the wishes of his own friendly and social disposition
It was now some time since Miss Taylor had begun to influence his schemes
but as it was not the tyrannic influence of youth on youth it had not shaken
his determination of never settling till he could purchase Randalls and the
sale of Randalls was long looked forward to but he had gone steadily on with
these objects in view till they were accomplished He had made his fortune
bought his house and obtained his wife and was beginning a new period of
existence with every probability of greater happiness than in any yet passed
through He had never been an unhappy man his own temper had secured him from
that even in his first marriage but his second must shew him how delightful a
welljudging and truly amiable woman could be and must give him the pleasantest
proof of its being a great deal better to chuse than to be chosen to excite
gratitude than to feel it
He had only himself to please in his choice his fortune was his own for as
to Frank it was more than being tacitly brought up as his uncles heir it had
become so avowed an adoption as to have him assume the name of Churchill on
coming of age It was most unlikely therefore that he should ever want his
fathers assistance His father had no apprehension of it The aunt was a
capricious woman and governed her husband entirely but it was not in Mr
Westons nature to imagine that any caprice could be strong enough to affect one
so dear and as he believed so deservedly dear He saw his son every year in
London and was proud of him and his fond report of him as a very fine young
man had made Highbury feel a sort of pride in him too He was looked on as
sufficiently belonging to the place to make his merits and prospects a kind of
common concern
Mr Frank Churchill was one of the boasts of Highbury and a lively
curiosity to see him prevailed though the compliment was so little returned
that he had never been there in his life His coming to visit his father had
been often talked of but never achieved
Now upon his fathers marriage it was very generally proposed as a most
proper attention that the visit should take place There was not a dissentient
voice on the subject either when Mrs Perry drank tea with Mrs and Miss Bates
or when Mrs and Miss Bates returned the visit Now was the time for Mr Frank
Churchill to come among them and the hope strengthened when it was understood
that he had written to his new mother on the occasion For a few days every
morning visit in Highbury included some mention of the handsome letter Mrs
Weston had received »I suppose you have heard of the handsome letter Mr Frank
Churchill had written to Mrs Weston I understand it was a very handsome
letter indeed Mr Woodhouse told me of it Mr Woodhouse saw the letter and
he says he never saw such a handsome letter in his life«
It was indeed a highlyprized letter Mrs Weston had of course formed a
very favourable idea of the young man and such a pleasing attention was an
irresistible proof of his great good sense and a most welcome addition to every
source and every expression of congratulation which her marriage had already
secured She felt herself a most fortunate woman and she had lived long enough
to know how fortunate she might well be thought where the only regret was for a
partial separation from friends whose friendship for her had never cooled and
who could ill bear to part with her
She knew that at times she must be missed and could not think without
pain of Emmas losing a single pleasure or suffering an hours ennui from the
want of her companionableness but dear Emma was of no feeble character she was
more equal to her situation than most girls would have been and had sense and
energy and spirits that might be hoped would bear her well and happily through
its little difficulties and privations And then there was such comfort in the
very easy distance of Randalls from Hartfield so convenient for even solitary
female walking and in Mr Westons disposition and circumstances which would
make the approaching season no hindrance to their spending half the evenings in
the week together
Her situation was altogether the subject of hours of gratitude to Mrs
Weston and of moments only of regret and her satisfaction her more than
satisfaction her cheerful enjoyment was so just and so apparent that Emma
well as she knew her father was sometimes taken by surprize at his being still
able to pity poor Miss Taylor when they left her at Randalls in the centre of
every domestic comfort or saw her go away in the evening attended by her
pleasant husband to a carriage of her own But never did she go without Mr
Woodhouses giving a gentle sigh and saying
»Ah poor Miss Taylor She would be very glad to stay«
There was no recovering Miss Taylor nor much likelihood of ceasing to pity
her but a few weeks brought some alleviation to Mr Woodhouse The compliments
of his neighbours were over he was no longer teased by being wished joy of so
sorrowful an event and the weddingcake which had been a great distress to
him was all eat up His own stomach could bear nothing rich and he could never
believe other people to be different from himself What was unwholesome to him
he regarded as unfit for any body and he had therefore earnestly tried to
dissuade them from having any weddingcake at all and when that proved vain as
earnestly tried to prevent any bodys eating it He had been at the pains of
consulting Mr Perry the apothecary on the subject Mr Perry was an
intelligent gentlemanlike man whose frequent visits were one of the comforts
of Mr Woodhouses life and upon being applied to he could not but
acknowledge though it seemed rather against the bias of inclination that
weddingcake might certainly disagree with many perhaps with most people
unless taken moderately With such an opinion in confirmation of his own Mr
Woodhouse hoped to influence every visitor of the newmarried pair but still
the cake was eaten and there was no rest for his benevolent nerves till it was
all gone
There was a strange rumour in Highbury of all the little Perrys being seen
with a slice of Mrs Westons weddingcake in their hands but Mr Woodhouse
would never believe it
Chapter III
Mr Woodhouse was fond of society in his own way He liked very much to have his
friends come and see him and from various united causes from his long
residence at Hartfield and his good nature from his fortune his house and
his daughter he could command the visits of his own little circle in a great
measure as he liked He had not much intercourse with any families beyond that
circle his horror of late hours and large dinnerparties made him unfit for any
acquaintance but such as would visit him on his own terms Fortunately for him
Highbury including Randalls in the same parish and Donwell Abbey in the parish
adjoining the seat of Mr Knightley comprehended many such Not unfrequently
through Emmas persuasion he had some of the chosen and the best to dine with
him but eveningparties were what he preferred and unless he fancied himself
at any time unequal to company there was scarcely an evening in the week in
which Emma could not make up a cardtable for him
Real longstanding regard brought the Westons and Mr Knightley and by Mr
Elton a young man living alone without liking it the privilege of exchanging
any vacant evening of his own blank solitude for the elegancies and society of
Mr Woodhouses drawingroom and the smiles of his lovely daughter was in no
danger of being thrown away
After these came a second set among the most comeatable of whom were Mrs
and Miss Bates and Mrs Goddard three ladies almost always at the service of an
invitation from Hartfield and who were fetched and carried home so often that
Mr Woodhouse thought it no hardship for either James or the horses Had it
taken place only once a year it would have been a grievance
Mrs Bates the widow of a former vicar of Highbury was a very old lady
almost past every thing but tea and quadrille She lived with her single
daughter in a very small way and was considered with all the regard and respect
which a harmless old lady under such untoward circumstances can excite Her
daughter enjoyed a most uncommon degree of popularity for a woman neither young
handsome rich nor married Miss Bates stood in the very worst predicament in
the world for having much of the public favour and she had no intellectual
superiority to make atonement to herself or frighten those who might hate her
into outward respect She had never boasted either beauty or cleverness Her
youth had passed without distinction and her middle of life was devoted to the
care of a failing mother and the endeavour to make a small income go as far as
possible And yet she was a happy woman and a woman whom no one named without
goodwill It was her own universal goodwill and contented temper which worked
such wonders She loved every body was interested in every bodys happiness
quicksighted to every bodys merits thought herself a most fortunate creature
and surrounded with blessings in such an excellent mother and so many good
neighbours and friends and a home that wanted for nothing The simplicity and
cheerfulness of her nature her contented and grateful spirit were a
recommendation to every body and a mine of felicity to herself She was a great
talker upon little matters which exactly suited Mr Woodhouse full of trivial
communications and harmless gossip
Mrs Goddard was the mistress of a School not of a seminary or an
establishment or any thing which professed in long sentences of refined
nonsense to combine liberal acquirements with elegant morality upon new
principles and new systems and where young ladies for enormous pay might be
screwed out of health and into vanity but a real honest oldfashioned
Boardingschool where a reasonable quantity of accomplishments were sold at a
reasonable price and where girls might be sent to be out of the way and
scramble themselves into a little education without any danger of coming back
prodigies Mrs Goddards school was in high repute and very deservedly for
Highbury was reckoned a particularly healthy spot she had an ample house and
garden gave the children plenty of wholesome food let them run about a great
deal in the summer and in winter dressed their chilblains with her own hands
It was no wonder that a train of twenty young couple now walked after her to
church She was a plain motherly kind of woman who had worked hard in her
youth and now thought herself entitled to the occasional holiday of a
teavisit and having formerly owed much to Mr Woodhouses kindness felt his
particular claim on her to leave her neat parlour hung round with fancywork
whenever she could and win or lose a few sixpences by his fireside
These were the ladies whom Emma found herself very frequently able to
collect and happy was she for her fathers sake in the power though as far
as she was herself concerned it was no remedy for the absence of Mrs Weston
She was delighted to see her father look comfortable and very much pleased with
herself for contriving things so well but the quiet prosings of three such
women made her feel that every evening so spent was indeed one of the long
evenings she had fearfully anticipated
As she sat one morning looking forward to exactly such a close of the
present day a note was brought from Mrs Goddard requesting in most
respectful terms to be allowed to bring Miss Smith with her a most welcome
request for Miss Smith was a girl of seventeen whom Emma knew very well by
sight and had long felt an interest in on account of her beauty A very
gracious invitation was returned and the evening no longer dreaded by the fair
mistress of the mansion
Harriet Smith was the natural daughter of somebody Somebody had placed her
several years back at Mrs Goddards school and somebody had lately raised her
from the condition of scholar to that of parlourboarder This was all that was
generally known of her history She had no visible friends but what had been
acquired at Highbury and was now just returned from a long visit in the country
to some young ladies who had been at school there with her
She was a very pretty girl and her beauty happened to be of a sort which
Emma particularly admired She was short plump and fair with a fine bloom
blue eyes light hair regular features and a look of great sweetness and
before the end of the evening Emma was as much pleased with her manners as her
person and quite determined to continue the acquaintance
She was not struck by any thing remarkably clever in Miss Smiths
conversation but she found her altogether very engaging not inconveniently
shy not unwilling to talk and yet so far from pushing shewing so proper and
becoming a deference seeming so pleasantly grateful for being admitted to
Hartfield and so artlessly impressed by the appearance of every thing in so
superior a style to what she had been used to that she must have good sense and
deserve encouragement Encouragement should be given Those soft blue eyes and
all those natural graces should not be wasted on the inferior society of
Highbury and its connections The acquaintance she had already formed were
unworthy of her The friends from whom she had just parted though very good
sort of people must be doing her harm They were a family of the name of
Martin whom Emma well knew by character as renting a large farm of Mr
Knightley and residing in the parish of Donwell very creditably she believed
she knew Mr Knightley thought highly of them but they must be coarse and
unpolished and very unfit to be the intimates of a girl who wanted only a
little more knowledge and elegance to be quite perfect She would notice her
she would improve her she would detach her from her bad acquaintance and
introduce her into good society she would form her opinions and her manners It
would be an interesting and certainly a very kind undertaking highly becoming
her own situation in life her leisure and powers
She was so busy in admiring those soft blue eyes in talking and listening
and forming all these schemes in the inbetweens that the evening flew away at
a very unusual rate and the suppertable which always closed such parties and
for which she had been used to sit and watch the due time was all set out and
ready and moved forwards to the fire before she was aware With an alacrity
beyond the common impulse of a spirit which yet was never indifferent to the
credit of doing every thing well and attentively with the real goodwill of a
mind delighted with its own ideas did she then do all the honours of the meal
and help and recommend the minced chicken and scalloped oysters with an urgency
which she knew would be acceptable to the early hours and civil scruples of
their guests
Upon such occasions poor Mr Woodhouses feelings were in sad warfare He
loved to have the cloth laid because it had been the fashion of his youth but
his conviction of suppers being very unwholesome made him rather sorry to see
any thing put on it and while his hospitality would have welcomed his visitors
to every thing his care for their health made him grieve that they would eat
Such another small basin of thin gruel as his own was all that he could
with thorough selfapprobation recommend though he might constrain himself
while the ladies were comfortably clearing the nicer things to say
»Mrs Bates let me propose your venturing on one of these eggs An egg
boiled very soft is not unwholesome Serle understands boiling an egg better
than any body I would not recommend an egg boiled by any body else but you
need not be afraid they are very small you see one of our small eggs will
not hurt you Miss Bates let Emma help you to a little bit of tart a very
little bit Ours are all apple tarts You need not be afraid of unwholesome
preserves here I do not advise the custard Mrs Goddard what say you to half
a glass of wine A small half glass put into a tumbler of water I do not
think it could disagree with you«
Emma allowed her father to talk but supplied her visitors in a much more
satisfactory style and on the present evening had particular pleasure in
sending them away happy The happiness of Miss Smith was quite equal to her
intentions Miss Woodhouse was so great a personage in Highbury that the
prospect of the introduction had given as much panic as pleasure but the
humble grateful little girl went off with highly gratified feelings delighted
with the affability with which Miss Woodhouse had treated her all the evening
and actually shaken hands with her at last
Chapter IV
Harriet Smiths intimacy at Hartfield was soon a settled thing Quick and
decided in her ways Emma lost no time in inviting encouraging and telling her
to come very often and as their acquaintance increased so did their
satisfaction in each other As a walking companion Emma had very early foreseen
how useful she might find her In that respect Mrs Westons loss had been
important Her father never went beyond the shrubbery where two divisions of
the grounds sufficed him for his long walk or his short as the year varied
and since Mrs Westons marriage her exercise had been too much confined She
had ventured once alone to Randalls but it was not pleasant and a Harriet
Smith therefore one whom she could summon at any time to a walk would be a
valuable addition to her privileges But in every respect as she saw more of
her she approved her and was confirmed in all her kind designs
Harriet certainly was not clever but she had a sweet docile grateful
disposition was totally free from conceit and only desiring to be guided by
any one she looked up to Her early attachment to herself was very amiable and
her inclination for good company and power of appreciating what was elegant and
clever shewed that there was no want of taste though strength of understanding
must not be expected Altogether she was quite convinced of Harriet Smiths
being exactly the young friend she wanted exactly the something which her home
required Such a friend as Mrs Weston was out of the question Two such could
never be granted Two such she did not want It was quite a different sort of
thing a sentiment distinct and independent Mrs Weston was the object of a
regard which had its basis in gratitude and esteem Harriet would be loved as
one to whom she could be useful For Mrs Weston there was nothing to be done
for Harriet every thing
Her first attempts at usefulness were in an endeavour to find out who were
the parents but Harriet could not tell She was ready to tell every thing in
her power but on this subject questions were vain Emma was obliged to fancy
what she liked but she could never believe that in the same situation she
should not have discovered the truth Harriet had no penetration She had been
satisfied to hear and believe just what Mrs Goddard chose to tell her and
looked no farther
Mrs Goddard and the teachers and the girls and the affairs of the school
in general formed naturally a great part of her conversation and but for her
acquaintance with the Martins of AbbeyMillFarm it must have been the whole
But the Martins occupied her thoughts a good deal she had spent two very happy
months with them and now loved to talk of the pleasures of her visit and
describe the many comforts and wonders of the place Emma encouraged her
talkativeness amused by such a picture of another set of beings and enjoying
the youthful simplicity which could speak with so much exultation of Mrs
Martins having »two parlours two very good parlours indeed one of them quite
as large as Mrs Goddards drawingroom and of her having an upper maid who had
lived fiveandtwenty years with her and of their having eight cows two of
them Alderneys and one a little Welch cow a very pretty little Welch cow
indeed and of Mrs Martins saying as she was so fond of it it should be
called her cow and of their having a very handsome summerhouse in their
garden where some day next year they were all to drink tea a very handsome
summerhouse large enough to hold a dozen people«
For some time she was amused without thinking beyond the immediate cause
but as she came to understand the family better other feelings arose She had
taken up a wrong idea fancying it was a mother and daughter a son and sons
wife who all lived together but when it appeared that the Mr Martin who bore
a part in the narrative and was always mentioned with approbation for his great
goodnature in doing something or other was a single man that there was no
young Mrs Martin no wife in the case she did suspect danger to her poor
little friend from all this hospitality and kindness and that if she were not
taken care of she might be required to sink herself for ever
With this inspiriting notion her questions increased in number and meaning
and she particularly led Harriet to talk more of Mr Martin and there was
evidently no dislike to it Harriet was very ready to speak of the share he had
had in their moonlight walks and merry evening games and dwelt a good deal upon
his being so very goodhumoured and obliging »He had gone three miles round one
day in order to bring her some walnuts because she had said how fond she was
of them and in every thing else he was so very obliging He had his shepherds
son into the parlour one night on purpose to sing to her She was very fond of
singing He could sing a little himself She believed he was very clever and
understood every thing He had a very fine flock and while she was with them
he had been bid more for his wool than any body in the country She believed
every body spoke well of him His mother and sisters were very fond of him Mrs
Martin had told her one day and there was a blush as she said it that it was
impossible for any body to be a better son and therefore she was sure whenever
he married he would make a good husband Not that she wanted him to marry She
was in no hurry at all«
»Well done Mrs Martin« thought Emma »You know what you are about«
»And when she had come away Mrs Martin was so very kind as to send Mrs
Goddard a beautiful goose the finest goose Mrs Goddard had ever seen Mrs
Goddard had dressed it on a Sunday and asked all the three teachers Miss Nash
and Miss Prince and Miss Richardson to sup with her«
»Mr Martin I suppose is not a man of information beyond the line of his
own business He does not read«
»Oh yes that is no I do not know but I believe he has read a good
deal but not what you would think any thing of He reads the Agricultural
Reports and some other books that lay in one of the window seats but he reads
all them to himself But sometimes of an evening before we went to cards he
would read something aloud out of the Elegant Extracts very entertaining And
I know he has read the Vicar of Wakefield He never read the Romance of the
Forest nor the Children of the Abbey He had never heard of such books before I
mentioned them but he is determined to get them now as soon as ever he can«
The next question was
»What sort of looking man is Mr Martin«
»Oh not handsome not at all handsome I thought him very plain at first
but I do not think him so plain now One does not you know after a time But
did you never see him He is in Highbury every now and then and he is sure to
ride through every week in his way to Kingston He has passed you very often«
»That may be and I may have seen him fifty times but without having any
idea of his name A young farmer whether on horseback or on foot is the very
last sort of person to raise my curiosity The yeomanry are precisely the order
of people with whom I feel I can have nothing to do A degree or two lower and
a creditable appearance might interest me I might hope to be useful to their
families in some way or other But a farmer can need none of my help and is
therefore in one sense as much above my notice as in every other he is below
it«
»To be sure Oh yes it is not likely you should ever have observed him
but he knows you very well indeed I mean by sight«
»I have no doubt of his being a very respectable young man I know indeed
that he is so and as such wish him well What do you imagine his age to be«
»He was fourandtwenty the 8th of last June and my birthday is the 23d
just a fortnight and a days difference which is very odd«
»Only fourandtwenty That is too young to settle His mother is perfectly
right not to be in a hurry They seem very comfortable as they are and if she
were to take any pains to marry him she would probably repent it Six years
hence if he could meet with a good sort of young woman in the same rank as his
own with a little money it might be very desirable«
»Six years hence dear Miss Woodhouse he would be thirty years old«
»Well and that is as early as most men can afford to marry who are not
born to an independence Mr Martin I imagine has his fortune entirely to make
cannot be at all beforehand with the world Whatever money he might come into
when his father died whatever his share of the family property it is I dare
say all afloat all employed in his stock and so forth and though with
diligence and good luck he may be rich in time it is next to impossible that
he should have realised any thing yet«
»To be sure so it is But they live very comfortably They have no indoors
man else they do not want for any thing; and Mrs Martin talks of taking a boy
another year«
»I wish you may not get into a scrape Harriet whenever he does marry I
mean as to being acquainted with his wife for though his sisters from a
superior education are not to be altogether objected to it does not follow
that he might marry any body at all fit for you to notice The misfortune of
your birth ought to make you particularly careful as to your associates There
can be no doubt of your being a gentlemans daughter and you must support your
claim to that station by every thing within your own power or there will be
plenty of people who would take pleasure in degrading you«
»Yes to be sure I suppose there are But while I visit at Hartfield and
you are so kind to me Miss Woodhouse I am not afraid of what any body can do«
»You understand the force of influence pretty well Harriet but I would
have you so firmly established in good society as to be independent even of
Hartfield and Miss Woodhouse I want to see you permanently well connected and
to that end it will be advisable to have as few odd acquaintance as may be and
therefore I say that if you should still be in this country when Mr Martin
marries I wish you may not be drawn in by your intimacy with the sisters to
be acquainted with the wife who will probably be some mere farmers daughter
without education«
»To be sure Yes Not that I think Mr Martin would ever marry any body but
what had had some education and been very well brought up However I do not
mean to set up my opinion against yours and I am sure I shall not wish for
the acquaintance of his wife I shall always have a great regard for the Miss
Martins especially Elizabeth and should be very sorry to give them up for
they are quite as well educated as me But if he marries a very ignorant vulgar
woman certainly I had better not visit her if I can help it«
Emma watched her through the fluctuations of this speech and saw no
alarming symptoms of love The young man had been the first admirer but she
trusted there was no other hold and that there would be no serious difficulty
on Harriets side to oppose any friendly arrangement of her own
They met Mr Martin the very next day as they were walking on the Donwell
road He was on foot and after looking very respectfully at her looked with
most unfeigned satisfaction at her companion Emma was not sorry to have such an
opportunity of survey and walking a few yards forward while they talked
together soon made her quick eye sufficiently acquainted with Mr Robert
Martin His appearance was very neat and he looked like a sensible young man
but his person had no other advantage and when he came to be contrasted with
gentlemen she thought he must lose all the ground he had gained in Harriets
inclination Harriet was not insensible of manner she had voluntarily noticed
her fathers gentleness with admiration as well as wonder Mr Martin looked as
if he did not know what manner was
They remained but a few minutes together as Miss Woodhouse must not be kept
waiting and Harriet then came running to her with a smiling face and in a
flutter of spirits which Miss Woodhouse hoped very soon to compose
»Only think of our happening to meet him How very odd It was quite a
chance he said that he had not gone round by Randalls He did not think we
ever walked this road He thought we walked towards Randalls most days He has
not been able to get the Romance of the Forest yet He was so busy the last time
he was at Kingston that he quite forgot it but he goes again tomorrow So very
odd we should happen to meet Well Miss Woodhouse is he like what you
expected What do you think of him Do you think him so very plain«
»He is very plain undoubtedly remarkably plain but that is nothing
compared with his entire want of gentility I had no right to expect much and I
did not expect much but I had no idea that he could be so very clownish so
totally without air I had imagined him I confess a degree or two nearer
gentility«
»To be sure« said Harriet in a mortified voice »he is not so genteel as
real gentlemen«
»I think Harriet since your acquaintance with us you have been repeatedly
in the company of some such very real gentlemen that you must yourself be
struck with the difference in Mr Martin At Hartfield you have had very good
specimens of well educated well bred men I should be surprized if after
seeing them you could be in company with Mr Martin again without perceiving
him to be a very inferior creature and rather wondering at yourself for having
ever thought him at all agreeable before Do not you begin to feel that now
Were not you struck I am sure you must have been struck by his awkward look and
abrupt manner and the uncouthness of a voice which I heard to be wholly
unmodulated as I stood here«
»Certainly he is not like Mr Knightley He has not such a fine air and way
of walking as Mr Knightley I see the difference plain enough But Mr
Knightley is so very fine a man«
»Mr Knightleys air is so remarkably good that it is not fair to compare
Mr Martin with him You might not see one in a hundred with gentleman so
plainly written as in Mr Knightley But he is not the only gentleman you have
been lately used to What say you to Mr Weston and Mr Elton Compare Mr
Martin with either of them Compare their manner of carrying themselves of
walking of speaking of being silent You must see the difference«
»Oh yes there is a great difference But Mr Weston is almost an old
man Mr Weston must be between forty and fifty«
»Which makes his good manners the more valuable The older a person grows
Harriet the more important it is that their manners should not be bad the
more glaring and disgusting any loudness or coarseness or awkwardness becomes
What is passable in youth is detestable in later age Mr Martin is now awkward
and abrupt what will he be at Mr Westons time of life«
»There is no saying indeed« replied Harriet rather solemnly
»But there may be pretty good guessing He will be a completely gross
vulgar farmer totally inattentive to appearances and thinking of nothing but
profit and loss«
»Will he indeed that will be very bad«
»How much his business engrosses him already is very plain from the
circumstance of his forgetting to inquire for the book you recommended He was a
great deal too full of the market to think of any thing else which is just as
it should be for a thriving man What has he to do with books And I have no
doubt that he will thrive and be a very rich man in time and his being
illiterate and coarse need not disturb us«
»I wonder he did not remember the book« was all Harriets answer and
spoken with a degree of grave displeasure which Emma thought might be safely
left to itself. She therefore said no more for some time Her next beginning
was
»In one respect perhaps Mr Eltons manners are superior to Mr
Knightleys or Mr Westons They have more gentleness They might be more
safely held up as a pattern There is an openness a quickness almost a
bluntness in Mr Weston which every body likes in him because there is so much
good humour with it but that would not do to be copied Neither would Mr
Knightleys downright decided commanding sort of manner though it suits him
very well his figure and look and situation in life seem to allow it but if
any young man were to set about copying him he would not be sufferable On the
contrary I think a young man might be very safely recommended to take Mr Elton
as a model Mr Elton is good humoured cheerful obliging and gentle He seems
to me to be grown particularly gentle of late I do not know whether he has any
design of ingratiating himself with either of us Harriet by additional
softness but it strikes me that his manners are softer than they used to be If
he means anything it must be to please you Did not I tell you what he said of
you the other day«
She then repeated some warm personal praise which she had drawn from Mr
Elton and now did full justice to and Harriet blushed and smiled and said she
had always thought Mr Elton very agreeable
Mr Elton was the very person fixed on by Emma for driving the young farmer
out of Harriets head She thought it would be an excellent match and only too
palpably desirable natural and probable for her to have much merit in
planning it She feared it was what every body else must think of and predict
It was not likely however that any body should have equalled her in the date
of the plan as it had entered her brain during the very first evening of
Harriets coming to Hartfield The longer she considered it the greater was her
sense of its expediency Mr Eltons situation was most suitable quite the
gentleman himself and without low connections at the same time not of any
family that could fairly object to the doubtful birth of Harriet He had a
comfortable home for her and Emma imagined a very sufficient income for though
the vicarage of Highbury was not large he was known to have some independent
property and she thought very highly of him as a goodhumoured wellmeaning
respectable young man without any deficiency of useful understanding or
knowledge of the world
She had already satisfied herself that he thought Harriet a beautiful girl
which she trusted with such frequent meetings at Hartfield was foundation
enough on his side and on Harriets there could be little doubt that the idea
of being preferred by him would have all the usual weight and efficacy And he
was really a very pleasing young man a young man whom any woman not fastidious
might like He was reckoned very handsome his person much admired in general
though not by her there being a want of elegance of feature which she could not
dispense with but the girl who could be gratified by a Robert Martins riding
about the country to get walnuts for her might very well be conquered by Mr
Eltons admiration
Chapter V
»I do not know what your opinion may be Mrs Weston« said Mr Knightley »of
this great intimacy between Emma and Harriet Smith but I think it a bad thing«
»A bad thing Do you really think it a bad thing why so«
»I think they will neither of them do the other any good«
»You surprize me Emma must do Harriet good and by supplying her with a new
object of interest Harriet may be said to do Emma good I have been seeing
their intimacy with the greatest pleasure How very differently we feel Not
think they will do each other any good This will certainly be the beginning of
one of our quarrels about Emma Mr Knightley«
»Perhaps you think I am come on purpose to quarrel with you knowing Weston
to be out and that you must still fight your own battle«
»Mr Weston would undoubtedly support me if he were here for he thinks
exactly as I do on the subject We were speaking of it only yesterday and
agreeing how fortunate it was for Emma that there should be such a girl in
Highbury for her to associate with Mr Knightley I shall not allow you to be a
fair judge in this case You are so much used to live alone that you do not
know the value of a companion and perhaps no man can be a good judge of the
comfort a woman feels in the society of one of her own sex after being used to
it all her life I can imagine your objection to Harriet Smith She is not the
superior young woman which Emmas friend ought to be But on the other hand as
Emma wants to see her better informed it will be an inducement to her to read
more herself They will read together She means it I know«
»Emma has been meaning to read more ever since she was twelve years old I
have seen a great many lists of her drawing up at various times of books that
she meant to read regularly through and very good lists they were very well
chosen and very neatly arranged sometimes alphabetically and sometimes by
some other rule The list she drew up when only fourteen I remember thinking
it did her judgment so much credit that I preserved it some time and I dare
say she may have made out a very good list now But I have done with expecting
any course of steady reading from Emma She will never submit to any thing
requiring industry and patience and a subjection of the fancy to the
understanding. Where Miss Taylor failed to stimulate I may safely affirm that
Harriet Smith will do nothing You never could persuade her to read half so
much as you wished You know you could not«
»I dare say« replied Mrs Weston smiling »that I thought so then but
since we have parted I can never remember Emmas omitting to do any thing I
wished«
»There is hardly any desiring to refresh such a memory as that« said Mr
Knightley feelingly and for a moment or two he had done »But I« he soon
added »who have had no such charm thrown over my senses must still see hear
and remember Emma is spoiled by being the cleverest of her family At ten years
old she had the misfortune of being able to answer questions which puzzled her
sister at seventeen She was always quick and assured Isabella slow and
diffident And ever since she was twelve Emma has been mistress of the house
and of you all In her mother she lost the only person able to cope with her
She inherits her mothers talents and must have been under subjection to her«
»I should have been sorry Mr Knightley to be dependent on your
recommendation had I quitted Mr Woodhouses family and wanted another
situation I do not think you would have spoken a good word for me to any body
I am sure you always thought me unfit for the office I held«
»Yes« said he smiling »You are better placed here very fit for a wife
but not at all for a governess But you were preparing yourself to be an
excellent wife all the time you were at Hartfield You might not give Emma such
a complete education as your powers would seem to promise but you were
receiving a very good education from her on the very material matrimonial point
of submitting your own will and doing as you were bid and if Weston had asked
me to recommend him a wife I should certainly have named Miss Taylor«
»Thank you There will be very little merit in making a good wife to such a
man as Mr Weston«
»Why to own the truth I am afraid you are rather thrown away and that
with every disposition to bear there will be nothing to be borne We will not
despair however Weston may grow cross from the wantonness of comfort or his
son may plague him«
»I hope not that It is not likely No Mr Knightley do not foretel
vexation from that quarter«
»Not I indeed I only name possibilities I do not pretend to Emmas genius
for foretelling and guessing I hope with all my heart the young man may be a
Weston in merit and a Churchill in fortune But Harriet Smith I have not
half done about Harriet Smith I think her the very worst sort of companion that
Emma could possibly have She knows nothing herself and looks upon Emma as
knowing every thing She is a flatterer in all her ways and so much the worse
because undesigned Her ignorance is hourly flattery How can Emma imagine she
has any thing to learn herself while Harriet is presenting such a delightful
inferiority And as for Harriet I will venture to say that she cannot gain by
the acquaintance Hartfield will only put her out of conceit with all the other
places she belongs to She will grow just refined enough to be uncomfortable
with those among whom birth and circumstances have placed her home I am much
mistaken if Emmas doctrines give any strength of mind or tend at all to make a
girl adapt herself rationally to the varieties of her situation in life They
only give a little polish«
»I either depend more upon Emmas good sense than you do or am more anxious
for her present comfort for I cannot lament the acquaintance How well she
looked last night«
»Oh you would rather talk of her person than her mind would you Very
well I shall not attempt to deny Emmas being pretty«
»Pretty say beautiful rather Can you imagine any thing nearer perfect
beauty than Emma altogether face and figure«
»I do not know what I could imagine but I confess that I have seldom seen a
face or figure more pleasing to me than hers But I am a partial old friend«
»Such an eye the true hazle eye and so brilliant regular features
open countenance with a complexion oh what a bloom of full health and such a
pretty height and size such a firm and upright figure There is health not
merely in her bloom but in her air her head her glance One hears sometimes
of a child being the picture of health now Emma always gives me the idea of
being the complete picture of grownup health She is loveliness itself Mr
Knightley is not she«
»I have not a fault to find with her person« he replied »I think her all
you describe I love to look at her and I will add this praise that I do not
think her personally vain Considering how very handsome she is she appears to
be little occupied with it her vanity lies another way Mrs Weston I am not
to be talked out of my dislike of her intimacy with Harriet Smith or my dread
of its doing them both harm«
»And I Mr Knightley am equally stout in my confidence of its not doing
them any harm With all dear Emmas little faults she is an excellent creature
Where shall we see a better daughter or a kinder sister or a truer friend No
no she has qualities which may be trusted she will never lead any one really
wrong she will make no lasting blunder where Emma errs once she is in the
right a hundred times«
»Very well I will not plague you any more Emma shall be an angel and I
will keep my spleen to myself till Christmas brings John and Isabella John
loves Emma with a reasonable and therefore not a blind affection and Isabella
always thinks as he does except when he is not quite frightened enough about
the children I am sure of having their opinions with me«
»I know that you all love her really too well to be unjust or unkind but
excuse me Mr Knightley if I take the liberty I consider myself you know as
having somewhat of the privilege of speech that Emmas mother might have had
the liberty of hinting that I do not think any possible good can arise from
Harriet Smiths intimacy being made a matter of much discussion among you Pray
excuse me but supposing any little inconvenience may be apprehended from the
intimacy it cannot be expected that Emma accountable to nobody but her father
who perfectly approves the acquaintance should put an end to it so long as it
is a source of pleasure to herself It has been so many years my province to
give advice that you cannot be surprized Mr Knightley at this little remains
of office«
»Not at all« cried he »I am much obliged to you for it It is very good
advice and it shall have a better fate than your advice has often found for it
shall be attended to«
»Mrs John Knightley is easily alarmed and might be made unhappy about her
sister«
»Be satisfied« said he »I will not raise any outcry I will keep my
illhumour to myself I have a very sincere interest in Emma Isabella does not
seem more my sister has never excited a greater interest perhaps hardly so
great There is an anxiety a curiosity in what one feels for Emma I wonder
what will become of her«
»So do I« said Mrs Weston gently »very much«
»She always declares she will never marry which of course means just
nothing at all But I have no idea that she has yet ever seen a man she cared
for It would not be a bad thing for her to be very much in love with a proper
object I should like to see Emma in love and in some doubt of a return it
would do her good But there is nobody hereabouts to attach her and she goes so
seldom from home«
»There does indeed seem as little to tempt her to break her resolution at
present« said Mrs Weston »as can well be and while she is so happy at
Hartfield I cannot wish her to be forming any attachment which would be
creating such difficulties on poor Mr Woodhouses account I do not recommend
matrimony at present to Emma though I mean no slight to the state I assure
you«
Part of her meaning was to conceal some favourite thoughts of her own and
Mr Westons on the subject as much as possible There were wishes at Randalls
respecting Emmas destiny but it was not desirable to have them suspected and
the quiet transition which Mr Knightley soon afterwards made to »What does
Weston think of the weather shall we have rain« convinced her that he had
nothing more to say or surmise about Hartfield
Chapter VI
Emma could not feel a doubt of having given Harriets fancy a proper direction
and raised the gratitude of her young vanity to a very good purpose for she
found her decidedly more sensible than before of Mr Eltons being a remarkably
handsome man with most agreeable manners and as she had no hesitation in
following up the assurance of his admiration by agreeable hints she was soon
pretty confident of creating as much liking on Harriets side as there could be
any occasion for She was quite convinced of Mr Eltons being in the fairest
way of falling in love if not in love already She had no scruple with regard
to him He talked of Harriet and praised her so warmly that she could not
suppose any thing wanting which a little time would not add His perception of
the striking improvement of Harriets manner since her introduction at
Hartfield was not one of the least agreeable proofs of his growing attachment
»You have given Miss Smith all that she required« said he »you have made
her graceful and easy She was a beautiful creature when she came to you but
in my opinion the attractions you have added are infinitely superior to what
she received from nature«
»I am glad you think I have been useful to her but Harriet only wanted
drawing out and receiving a few very few hints She had all the natural grace
of sweetness of temper and artlessness in herself I have done very little«
»If it were admissible to contradict a lady« said the gallant Mr Elton
»I have perhaps given her a little more decision of character have taught
her to think on points which had not fallen in her way before«
»Exactly so that is what principally strikes me So much superadded
decision of character Skilful has been the hand«
»Great has been the pleasure I am sure I never met with a disposition more
truly amiable«
»I have no doubt of it« And it was spoken with a sort of sighing animation
which had a vast deal of the lover She was not less pleased another day with
the manner in which he seconded a sudden wish of hers to have Harriets
picture
»Did you ever have your likeness taken Harriet« said she »Did you ever
sit for your picture«
Harriet was on the point of leaving the room and only stopt to say with a
very interesting naïveté
»Oh dear no never«
No sooner was she out of sight than Emma exclaimed
»What an exquisite possession a good picture of her would be I would give
any money for it I almost long to attempt her likeness myself You do not know
it I dare say but two or three years ago I had a great passion for taking
likenesses and attempted several of my friends and was thought to have a
tolerable eye in general But from one cause or another I gave it up in
disgust But really I could almost venture if Harriet would sit to me It
would be such a delight to have her picture«
»Let me entreat you« cried Mr Elton »it would indeed be a delight Let me
entreat you Miss Woodhouse to exercise so charming a talent in favour of your
friend I know what your drawings are How could you suppose me ignorant Is not
this room rich in specimens of your landscapes and flowers and has not Mrs
Weston some inimitable figurepieces in her drawingroom at Randalls«
Yes good man thought Emma but what has all that to do with taking
likenesses You know nothing of drawing Dont pretend to be in raptures about
mine Keep your raptures for Harriets face »Well if you give me such kind
encouragement Mr Elton I believe I shall try what I can do Harriets
features are very delicate which makes a likeness difficult and yet there is a
peculiarity in the shape of the eye and the lines about the mouth which one
ought to catch«
»Exactly so The shape of the eye and the lines about the mouth I have
not a doubt of your success Pray pray attempt it As you will do it it will
indeed to use your own words be an exquisite possession«
»But I am afraid Mr Elton Harriet will not like to sit She thinks so
little of her own beauty Did not you observe her manner of answering me How
completely it meant why should my picture be drawn«
»Oh yes I observed it I assure you It was not lost on me But still I
cannot imagine she would not be persuaded«
Harriet was soon back again and the proposal almost immediately made and
she had no scruples which could stand many minutes against the earnest pressing
of both the others Emma wished to go to work directly and therefore produced
the portfolio containing her various attempts at portraits for not one of them
had ever been finished that they might decide together on the best size for
Harriet Her many beginnings were displayed Miniatures halflengths
wholelengths pencil crayon and watercolours had been all tried in turn She
had always wanted to do everything and had made more progress both in drawing
and music than many might have done with so little labour as she would ever
submit to She played and sang and drew in almost every style but steadiness
had always been wanting and in nothing had she approached the degree of
excellence which she would have been glad to command and ought not to have
failed of She was not much deceived as to her own skill either as an artist or
a musician but she was not unwilling to have others deceived or sorry to know
her reputation for accomplishment often higher than it deserved
There was merit in every drawing in the least finished perhaps the most
her style was spirited but had there been much less or had there been ten
times more the delight and admiration of her two companions would have been the
same They were both in extasies A likeness pleases every body and Miss
Woodhouses performances must be capital
»No great variety of faces for you« said Emma »I had only my own family to
study from There is my father another of my father but the idea of sitting
for his picture made him so nervous that I could only take him by stealth
neither of them very like therefore Mrs Weston again and again and again
you see Dear Mrs Weston always my kindest friend on every occasion She would
sit whenever I asked her There is my sister and really quite her own little
elegant figure and the face not unlike I should have made a good likeness of
her if she would have sat longer but she was in such a hurry to have me draw
her four children that she would not be quiet Then here come all my attempts
at three of those four children there they are Henry and John and Bella
from one end of the sheet to the other and any one of them might do for any one
of the rest She was so eager to have them drawn that I could not refuse but
there is no making children of three or four years old stand still you know nor
can it be very easy to take any likeness of them beyond the air and complexion
unless they are coarser featured than any mamas children ever were Here is my
sketch of the fourth who was a baby I took him as he was sleeping on the
sofa and it is as strong a likeness of his cockade as you would wish to see He
had nestled down his head most conveniently Thats very like I am rather proud
of little George The corner of the sofa is very good Then here is my last«
unclosing a pretty sketch of a gentleman in small size wholelength »my last
and my best my brother Mr John Knightley This did not want much of being
finished when I put it away in a pet and vowed I would never take another
likeness I could not help being provoked for after all my pains and when I
had really made a very good likeness of it Mrs Weston and I were quite
agreed in thinking it very like only too handsome too flattering but that
was a fault on the right side after all this came poor dear Isabellas cold
approbation of Yes it was a little like but to be sure it did not do him
justice We had had a great deal of trouble in persuading him to sit at all It
was made a great favour of and altogether it was more than I could bear and so
I never would finish it to have it apologized over as an unfavourable likeness
to every morning visitor in Brunswicksquare and as I said I did then
forswear ever drawing anybody again But for Harriets sake or rather for my
own and as there are no husbands and wives in the case at present I will break
my resolution now«
Mr Elton seemed very properly struck and delighted by the idea and was
repeating »No husbands and wives in the case at present indeed as you observe
Exactly so No husbands and wives« with so interesting a consciousness that
Emma began to consider whether she had not better leave them together at once
But as she wanted to be drawing the declaration must wait a little longer
She had soon fixed on the size and sort of portrait It was to be a
wholelength in watercolours like Mr John Knightleys and was destined if
she could please herself to hold a very honourable station over the
mantlepiece
The sitting began and Harriet smiling and blushing and afraid of not
keeping her attitude and countenance presented a very sweet mixture of youthful
expression to the steady eyes of the artist But there was no doing anything
with Mr Elton fidgetting behind her and watching every touch She gave him
credit for stationing himself where he might gaze and gaze again without
offence but was really obliged to put an end to it and request him to place
himself elsewhere It then occurred to her to employ him in reading
»If he would be so good as to read to them it would be a kindness indeed
It would amuse away the difficulties of her part and lessen the irksomeness of
Miss Smiths«
Mr Elton was only too happy Harriet listened and Emma drew in peace She
must allow him to be still frequently coming to look anything less would
certainly have been too little in a lover and he was ready at the smallest
intermission of the pencil to jump up and see the progress and be charmed
There was no being displeased with such an encourager for his admiration made
him discern a likeness almost before it was possible She could not respect his
eye but his love and his complaisance were unexceptionable
The sitting was altogether very satisfactory she was quite enough pleased
with the first days sketch to wish to go on There was no want of likeness she
had been fortunate in the attitude and as she meant to throw in a little
improvement to the figure to give a little more height and considerably more
elegance she had great confidence of its being in every way a pretty drawing at
last and of its filling its destined place with credit to them both a
standing memorial of the beauty of one the skill of the other and the
friendship of both with as many other agreeable associations as Mr Eltons
very promising attachment was likely to add
Harriet was to sit again the next day and Mr Elton just as he ought
entreated for the permission of attending and reading to them again
»By all means We shall be most happy to consider you as one of the party«
The same civilities and courtesies the same success and satisfaction took
place on the morrow and accompanied the whole progress of the picture which
was rapid and happy Every body who saw it was pleased but Mr Elton was in
continual raptures and defended it through every criticism
»Miss Woodhouse has given her friend the only beauty she wanted« observed
Mrs Weston to him not in the least suspecting that she was addressing a
lover »The expression of the eye is most correct but Miss Smith has not
those eyebrows and eyelashes It is the fault of her face that she has them
not«
»Do you think so« replied he »I cannot agree with you It appears to me a
most perfect resemblance in every feature I never saw such a likeness in my
life We must allow for the effect of shade you know«
»You have made her too tall Emma« said Mr Knightley
Emma knew that she had but would not own it and Mr Elton warmly added
»Oh no certainly not too tall not in the least too tall Consider she is
sitting down which naturally presents a different which in short gives
exactly the idea and the proportions must be preserved you know Proportions
foreshortening Oh no it gives one exactly the idea of such a height as
Miss Smiths Exactly so indeed«
»It is very pretty« said Mr Woodhouse »So prettily done Just as your
drawings always are my dear I do not know any body who draws so well as you
do The only thing I do not thoroughly like is that she seems to be sitting out
of doors with only a little shawl over her shoulders and it makes one think
she must catch cold«
»But my dear papa it is supposed to be summer a warm day in summer Look
at the tree«
»But it is never safe to sit out of doors my dear«
»You sir may say any thing,« cried Mr Elton »but I must confess that I
regard it as a most happy thought the placing of Miss Smith out of doors and
the tree is touched with such inimitable spirit Any other situation would have
been much less in character The naïveté of Miss Smiths manners and
altogether Oh it is most admirable I cannot keep my eyes from it I never
saw such a likeness«
The next thing wanted was to get the picture framed and here were a few
difficulties It must be done directly it must be done in London the order
must go through the hands of some intelligent person whose taste could be
depended on and Isabella the usual doer of all commissions must not be
applied to because it was December and Mr Woodhouse could not bear the idea
of her stirring out of her house in the fogs of December But no sooner was the
distress known to Mr Elton than it was removed His gallantry was always on
the alert »Might he be trusted with the commission what infinite pleasure
should he have in executing it he could ride to London at any time It was
impossible to say how much he should be gratified by being employed on such an
errand«
»He was too good she could not endure the thought she would not give
him such a troublesome office for the world« brought on the desired repetition
of entreaties and assurances and a very few minutes settled the business
Mr Elton was to take the drawing to London chuse the frame and give the
directions and Emma thought she could so pack it as to ensure its safety
without much incommoding him while he seemed mostly fearful of not being
incommoded enough
»What a precious deposit« said he with a tender sigh as he received it
»This man is almost too gallant to be in love« thought Emma »I should say
so but that I suppose there may be a hundred different ways of being in love
He is an excellent young man and will suit Harriet exactly it will be an
Exactly so as he says himself but he does sigh and languish and study for
compliments rather more than I could endure as a principal I come in for a
pretty good share as a second But it is his gratitude on Harriets account«
Chapter VII
The very day of Mr Eltons going to London produced a fresh occasion for Emmas
services towards her friend Harriet had been at Hartfield as usual soon after
breakfast and after a time had gone home to return again to dinner she
returned and sooner than had been talked of and with an agitated hurried
look announcing something extraordinary to have happened which she was longing
to tell Half a minute brought it all out She had heard as soon as she got
back to Mrs Goddards that Mr Martin had been there an hour before and
finding she was not at home nor particularly expected had left a little parcel
for her from one of his sisters and gone away and on opening this parcel she
had actually found besides the two songs which she had lent Elizabeth to copy
a letter to herself and this letter was from him from Mr Martin and
contained a direct proposal of marriage »Who could have thought it She was so
surprized she did not know what to do Yes quite a proposal of marriage and a
very good letter at least she thought so And he wrote as if he really loved
her very much but she did not know and so she was come as fast as she could
to ask Miss Woodhouse what she should do« Emma was half ashamed of her friend
for seeming so pleased and so doubtful
»Upon my word« she cried »the young man is determined not to lose any
thing for want of asking He will connect himself well if he can«
»Will you read the letter« cried Harriet »Pray do Id rather you would«
Emma was not sorry to be pressed She read and was surprized The style of
the letter was much above her expectation There were not merely no grammatical
errors but as a composition it would not have disgraced a gentleman the
language though plain was strong and unaffected and the sentiments it
conveyed very much to the credit of the writer It was short but expressed good
sense warm attachment liberality propriety even delicacy of feeling She
paused over it while Harriet stood anxiously watching for her opinion with a
»Well well« and was at last forced to add »Is it a good letter or is it too
short«
»Yes indeed a very good letter« replied Emma rather slowly »so good a
letter Harriet that every thing considered I think one of his sisters must
have helped him I can hardly imagine the young man whom I saw talking with you
the other day could express himself so well if left quite to his own powers
and yet it is not the style of a woman no certainly it is too strong and
concise not diffuse enough for a woman No doubt he is a sensible man and I
suppose may have a natural talent for thinks strongly and clearly and when
he takes a pen in hand his thoughts naturally find proper words It is so with
some men Yes I understand the sort of mind Vigorous decided with sentiments
to a certain point not coarse A better written letter Harriet returning
it than I had expected«
»Well« said the still waiting Harriet »well and and what shall I
do«
»What shall you do In what respect Do you mean with regard to this
letter«
»Yes«
»But what are you in doubt of You must answer it of course and speedily«
»Yes But what shall I say Dear Miss Woodhouse do advise me«
»Oh no no the letter had much better be all your own You will express
yourself very properly I am sure There is no danger of your not being
intelligible which is the first thing Your meaning must be unequivocal no
doubts or demurs and such expressions of gratitude and concern for the pain you
are inflicting as propriety requires will present themselves unbidden to your
mind I am persuaded You need not be prompted to write with the appearance of
sorrow for his disappointment«
»You think I ought to refuse him then« said Harriet looking down
»Ought to refuse him My dear Harriet what do you mean Are you in any
doubt as to that I thought but I beg your pardon perhaps I have been under a
mistake I certainly have been misunderstanding you if you feel in doubt as to
the purport of your answer I had imagined you were consulting me only as to the
wording of it«
Harriet was silent With a little reserve of manner Emma continued
»You mean to return a favourable answer I collect«
»No I do not that is I do not mean What shall I do What would you
advise me to do Pray dear Miss Woodhouse tell me what I ought to do«
»I shall not give you any advice Harriet I will have nothing to do with
it This is a point which you must settle with your own feelings«
»I had no notion that he liked me so very much« said Harriet contemplating
the letter For a little while Emma persevered in her silence but beginning to
apprehend the bewitching flattery of that letter might be too powerful she
thought it best to say
»I lay it down as a general rule Harriet that if a woman doubts as to
whether she should accept a man or not she certainly ought to refuse him If
she can hesitate as to Yes she ought to say No directly It is not a state to
be safely entered into with doubtful feelings with half a heart I thought it
my duty as a friend and older than yourself to say thus much to you But do
not imagine that I want to influence you«
»Oh no I am sure you are a great deal too kind to but if you would just
advise me what I had best do No no I do not mean that As you say ones
mind ought to be quite made up One should not be hesitating It is a very
serious thing It will be safer to say No perhaps Do you think I had
better say No«
»Not for the world« said Emma smiling graciously »would I advise you
either way You must be the best judge of your own happiness If you prefer Mr
Martin to every other person if you think him the most agreeable man you have
ever been in company with why should you hesitate You blush Harriet Does
any body else occur to you at this moment under such a definition? Harriet
Harriet do not deceive yourself do not be run away with by gratitude and
compassion At this moment whom are you thinking of«
The symptoms were favourable Instead of answering Harriet turned away
confused and stood thoughtfully by the fire and though the letter was still in
her hand it was now mechanically twisted about without regard Emma waited the
result with impatience but not without strong hopes At last with some
hesitation Harriet said
»Miss Woodhouse as you will not give me your opinion I must do as well as
I can by myself and I have now quite determined and really almost made up my
mind to refuse Mr Martin Do you think I am right«
»Perfectly perfectly right my dearest Harriet you are doing just what you
ought While you were at all in suspense I kept my feelings to myself but now
that you are so completely decided I have no hesitation in approving Dear
Harriet I give myself joy of this It would have grieved me to lose your
acquaintance which must have been the consequence of your marrying Mr Martin
While you were in the smallest degree wavering I said nothing about it because
I would not influence but it would have been the loss of a friend to me I
could not have visited Mrs Robert Martin of AbbeyMill Farm Now I am secure
of you for ever«
Harriet had not surmised her own danger but the idea of it struck her
forcibly
»You could not have visited me« she cried looking aghast »No to be sure
you could not but I never thought of that before That would have been too
dreadful What an escape Dear Miss Woodhouse I would not give up the
pleasure and honour of being intimate with you for any thing in the world«
»Indeed Harriet it would have been a severe pang to lose you but it must
have been You would have thrown yourself out of all good society I must have
given you up«
»Dear me How should I ever have borne it It would have killed me never
to come to Hartfield any more«
»Dear affectionate creature You banished to AbbeyMill Farm You
confined to the society of the illiterate and vulgar all your life I wonder how
the young man could have the assurance to ask it He must have a pretty good
opinion of himself«
»I do not think he is conceited either in general« said Harriet her
conscience opposing such censure »at least he is very good natured and I shall
always feel much obliged to him and have a great regard for but that is quite
a different thing from and you know though he may like me it does not follow
that I should and certainly I must confess that since my visiting here I have
seen people and if one comes to compare them person and manners there is no
comparison at all one is so very handsome and agreeable However I do really
think Mr Martin a very amiable young man and have a great opinion of him and
his being so much attached to me and his writing such a letter but as to
leaving you it is what I would not do upon any consideration«
»Thank you thank you my own sweet little friend We will not be parted A
woman is not to marry a man merely because she is asked or because he is
attached to her and can write a tolerable letter«
»Oh no and it is but a short letter too«
Emma felt the bad taste of her friend but let it pass with a »very true
and it would be a small consolation to her for the clownish manner which might
be offending her every hour of the day to know that her husband could write a
good letter«
»Oh yes very Nobody cares for a letter the thing is to be always happy
with pleasant companions I am quite determined to refuse him But how shall I
do What shall I say«
Emma assured her there would be no difficulty in the answer and advised its
being written directly which was agreed to in the hope of her assistance and
though Emma continued to protest against any assistance being wanted it was in
fact given in the formation of every sentence The looking over his letter
again in replying to it had such a softening tendency that it was
particularly necessary to brace her up with a few decisive expressions and she
was so very much concerned at the idea of making him unhappy and thought so
much of what his mother and sisters would think and say and was so anxious that
they should not fancy her ungrateful that Emma believed if the young man had
come in her way at that moment he would have been accepted after all
This letter however was written and sealed and sent The business was
finished and Harriet safe She was rather low all the evening but Emma could
allow for her amiable regrets and sometimes relieved them by speaking of her
own affection sometimes by bringing forward the idea of Mr Elton
»I shall never be invited to AbbeyMill again« was said in rather a
sorrowful tone
»Nor if you were could I ever bear to part with you my Harriet You are a
great deal too necessary at Hartfield to be spared to AbbeyMill«
»And I am sure I should never want to go there for I am never happy but at
Hartfield«
Some time afterwards it was »I think Mrs Goddard would be very much
surprized if she knew what had happened I am sure Miss Nash would for Miss
Nash thinks her own sister very well married and it is only a linendraper«
»One should be sorry to see greater pride or refinement in the teacher of a
school Harriet I dare say Miss Nash would envy you such an opportunity as this
of being married Even this conquest would appear valuable in her eyes As to
anything superior for you I suppose she is quite in the dark The attentions of
a certain person can hardly be among the tittletattle of Highbury yet Hitherto
I fancy you and I are the only people to whom his looks and manners have
explained themselves«
Harriet blushed and smiled and said something about wondering that people
should like her so much The idea of Mr Elton was certainly cheering but
still after a time she was tenderhearted again towards the rejected Mr
Martin
»Now he has got my letter« said she softly »I wonder what they are all
doing whether his sisters know if he is unhappy they will be unhappy too I
hope he will not mind it so very much«
»Let us think of those among our absent friends who are more cheerfully
employed« cried Emma »At this moment perhaps Mr Elton is shewing your
picture to his mother and sisters telling how much more beautiful is the
original and after being asked for it five or six times allowing them to hear
your name your own dear name«
»My picture But he has left my picture in Bondstreet«
»Has he so Then I know nothing of Mr Elton No my dear little modest
Harriet depend upon it the picture will not be in Bondstreet till just before
he mounts his horse tomorrow It is his companion all this evening his solace
his delight It opens his designs to his family it introduces you among them
it diffuses through the party those pleasantest feelings of our nature eager
curiosity and warm prepossession How cheerful how animated how suspicious
how busy their imaginations all are«
Harriet smiled again and her smiles grew stronger
Chapter VIII
Harriet slept at Hartfield that night For some weeks past she had been spending
more than half her time there and gradually getting to have a bedroom
appropriated to herself and Emma judged it best in every respect safest and
kindest to keep her with them as much as possible just at present She was
obliged to go the next morning for an hour or two to Mrs Goddards but it was
then to be settled that she should return to Hartfield to make a regular visit
of some days
While she was gone Mr Knightley called and sat some time with Mr
Woodhouse and Emma till Mr Woodhouse who had previously made up his mind to
walk out was persuaded by his daughter not to defer it and was induced by the
entreaties of both though against the scruples of his own civility to leave
Mr Knightley for that purpose Mr Knightley who had nothing of ceremony about
him was offering by his short decided answers an amusing contrast to the
protracted apologies and civil hesitations of the other
»Well I believe if you will excuse me Mr Knightley if you will not
consider me as doing a very rude thing I shall take Emmas advice and go out
for a quarter of an hour As the sun is out I believe I had better take my
three turns while I can I treat you without ceremony Mr Knightley We
invalids think we are privileged people«
»My dear sir do not make a stranger of me«
»I leave an excellent substitute in my daughter Emma will be happy to
entertain you And therefore I think I will beg your excuse and take my three
turns my winter walk«
»You cannot do better sir«
»I would ask for the pleasure of your company Mr Knightley but I am a
very slow walker and my pace would be tedious to you and besides you have
another long walk before you to Donwell Abbey«
»Thank you sir thank you I am going this moment myself and I think the
sooner you go the better I will fetch your great coat and open the garden door
for you«
Mr Woodhouse at last was off but Mr Knightley instead of being
immediately off likewise sat down again seemingly inclined for more chat He
began speaking of Harriet and speaking of her with more voluntary praise than
Emma had ever heard before
»I cannot rate her beauty as you do« said he »but she is a pretty little
creature and I am inclined to think very well of her disposition Her character
depends upon those she is with but in good hands she will turn out a valuable
woman«
»I am glad you think so and the good hands I hope may not be wanting«
»Come« said he »you are anxious for a compliment so I will tell you that
you have improved her You have cured her of her schoolgirls giggle she
really does you credit«
»Thank you I should be mortified indeed if I did not believe I had been of
some use but it is not every body who will bestow praise where they may You do
not often overpower me with it«
»You are expecting her again you say this morning«
»Almost every moment She has been gone longer already than she intended«
»Something has happened to delay her some visitors perhaps«
»Highbury gossips Tiresome wretches«
»Harriet may not consider every body tiresome that you would«
Emma knew this was too true for contradiction and therefore said nothing
He presently added with a smile
»I do not pretend to fix on times or places but I must tell you that I have
good reason to believe your little friend will soon hear of something to her
advantage«
»Indeed how so of what sort«
»A very serious sort I assure you« still smiling
»Very serious I can think of but one thing Who is in love with her Who
makes you their confidant«
Emma was more than half in hopes of Mr Eltons having dropt a hint Mr
Knightley was a sort of general friend and adviser and she knew Mr Elton
looked up to him
»I have reason to think« he replied »that Harriet Smith will soon have an
offer of marriage and from a most unexceptionable quarter Robert Martin is
the man Her visit to AbbeyMill this summer seems to have done his business
He is desperately in love and means to marry her«
»He is very obliging« said Emma »but is he sure that Harriet means to
marry him«
»Well well means to make her an offer then Will that do He came to the
Abbey two evenings ago on purpose to consult me about it He knows I have a
thorough regard for him and all his family and I believe considers me as one
of his best friends He came to ask me whether I thought it would be imprudent
in him to settle so early whether I thought her too young in short whether I
approved his choice altogether having some apprehension perhaps of her being
considered especially since your making so much of her as in a line of society
above him I was very much pleased with all that he said I never hear better
sense from any one than Robert Martin He always speaks to the purpose open
straight forward and very well judging He told me every thing his
circumstances and plans and what they all proposed doing in the event of his
marriage He is an excellent young man both as son and brother I had no
hesitation in advising him to marry He proved to me that he could afford it
and that being the case I was convinced he could not do better I praised the
fair lady too and altogether sent him away very happy If he had never esteemed
my opinion before he would have thought highly of me then and I dare say
left the house thinking me the best friend and counsellor man ever had This
happened the night before last Now as we may fairly suppose he would not
allow much time to pass before he spoke to the lady and as he does not appear
to have spoken yesterday it is not unlikely that he should be at Mrs Goddards
to day and she may be detained by a visitor without thinking him at all a
tiresome wretch«
»Pray Mr Knightley« said Emma who had been smiling to herself through a
great part of this speech »how do you know that Mr Martin did not speak
yesterday«
»Certainly« replied he surprized »I do not absolutely know it but it may
be inferred Was not she the whole day with you«
»Come« said she »I will tell you something in return for what you have
told me He did speak yesterday that is he wrote and was refused«
This was obliged to be repeated before it could be believed and Mr
Knightley actually looked red with surprize and displeasure as he stood up in
tall indignation and said
»Then she is a greater simpleton than I ever believed her What is the
foolish girl about«
»Oh to be sure« cried Emma »it is always incomprehensible to a man that a
woman should ever refuse an offer of marriage A man always imagines a woman to
be ready for anybody who asks her«
»Nonsense a man does not imagine any such thing But what is the meaning of
this Harriet Smith refuse Robert Martin madness if it is so but I hope you
are mistaken«
»I saw her answer nothing could be clearer«
»You saw her answer you wrote her answer too Emma this is your doing You
persuaded her to refuse him«
»And if I did which however I am far from allowing I should not feel
that I had done wrong Mr Martin is a very respectable young man but I cannot
admit him to be Harriets equal and am rather surprized indeed that he should
have ventured to address her By your account he does seem to have had some
scruples It is a pity that they were ever got over«
»Not Harriets equal« exclaimed Mr Knightley loudly and warmly and with
calmer asperity added a few moments afterwards »No he is not her equal
indeed for he is as much her superior in sense as in situation Emma your
infatuation about that girl blinds you What are Harriet Smiths claims either
of birth nature or education to any connection higher than Robert Martin She
is the natural daughter of nobody knows whom with probably no settled provision
at all and certainly no respectable relations She is known only as
parlourboarder at a common school She is not a sensible girl nor a girl of
any information She has been taught nothing useful and is too young and too
simple to have acquired any thing herself At her age she can have no
experience, and with her little wit is not very likely ever to have any that
can avail her She is pretty and she is good tempered and that is all My only
scruple in advising the match was on his account as being beneath his deserts
and a bad connexion for him I felt that as to fortune in all probability he
might do much better and that as to a rational companion or useful helpmate he
could not do worse But I could not reason so to a man in love and was willing
to trust to there being no harm in her to her having that sort of disposition
which in good hands like his might be easily led aright and turn out very
well The advantage of the match I felt to be all on her side and had not the
smallest doubt nor have I now that there would be a general cryout upon her
extreme good luck Even your satisfaction I made sure of It crossed my mind
immediately that you would not regret your friends leaving Highbury for the
sake of her being settled so well I remember saying to myself Even Emma with
all her partiality for Harriet will think this a good match«
»I cannot help wondering at your knowing so little of Emma as to say any
such thing What think a farmer and with all his sense and all his merit Mr
Martin is nothing more a good match for my intimate friend Not regret her
leaving Highbury for the sake of marrying a man whom I could never admit as an
acquaintance of my own I wonder you should think it possible for me to have
such feelings I assure you mine are very different I must think your statement
by no means fair You are not just to Harriets claims They would be estimated
very differently by others as well as myself Mr Martin may be the richest of
the two but he is undoubtedly her inferior as to rank in society The sphere
in which she moves is much above his It would be a degradation«
»A degradation to illegitimacy and ignorance to be married to a
respectable intelligent gentlemanfarmer«
»As to the circumstances of her birth though in a legal sense she may be
called Nobody it will not hold in common sense She is not to pay for the
offence of others by being held below the level of those with whom she is
brought up There can scarcely be a doubt that her father is a gentleman and
a gentleman of fortune Her allowance is very liberal nothing has ever been
grudged for her improvement or comfort That she is a gentlemans daughter is
indubitable to me that she associates with gentlemens daughters no one I
apprehend will deny She is superior to Mr Robert Martin«
»Whoever might be her parents« said Mr Knightley »whoever may have had
the charge of her it does not appear to have been any part of their plan to
introduce her into what you would call good society After receiving a very
indifferent education she is left in Mrs Goddards hands to shift as she can
to move in short in Mrs Goddards line to have Mrs Goddards acquaintance
Her friends evidently thought this good enough for her and it was good enough
She desired nothing better herself Till you chose to turn her into a friend
her mind had no distaste for her own set nor any ambition beyond it She was as
happy as possible with the Martins in the summer She had no sense of
superiority then If she has it now you have given it You have been no friend
to Harriet Smith Emma Robert Martin would never have proceeded so far if he
had not felt persuaded of her not being disinclined to him I know him well He
has too much real feeling to address any woman on the haphazard of selfish
passion And as to conceit he is the farthest from it of any man I know Depend
upon it he had encouragement«
It was most convenient to Emma not to make a direct reply to this assertion
she chose rather to take up her own line of the subject again
»You are a very warm friend to Mr Martin but as I said before are unjust
to Harriet Harriets claims to marry well are not so contemptible as you
represent them She is not a clever girl but she has better sense than you are
aware of and does not deserve to have her understanding spoken of so
slightingly Waving that point however and supposing her to be as you
describe her only pretty and goodnatured let me tell you that in the degree
she possesses them they are not trivial recommendations to the world in
general for she is in fact a beautiful girl and must be thought so by
ninetynine people out of an hundred and till it appears that men are much more
philosophic on the subject of beauty than they are generally supposed till they
do fall in love with wellinformed minds instead of handsome faces a girl with
such loveliness as Harriet has a certainty of being admired and sought after
of having the power of choosing from among many consequently a claim to be
nice Her goodnature too is not so very slight a claim comprehending as it
does real thorough sweetness of temper and manner a very humble opinion of
herself and a great readiness to be pleased with other people I am very much
mistaken if your sex in general would not think such beauty and such temper
the highest claims a woman could possess«
»Upon my word Emma to hear you abusing the reason you have is almost
enough to make me think so too Better be without sense than misapply it as you
do«
»To be sure« cried she playfully »I know that is the feeling of you all I
know that such a girl as Harriet is exactly what every man delights in what at
once bewitches his senses and satisfies his judgment Oh Harriet may pick and
choose Were you yourself ever to marry she is the very woman for you And is
she at seventeen just entering into life just beginning to be known to be
wondered at because she does not accept the first offer she receives No pray
let her have time to look about her«
»I have always thought it a very foolish intimacy« said Mr Knightley
presently »though I have kept my thoughts to myself but I now perceive that it
will be a very unfortunate one for Harriet You will puff her up with such ideas
of her own beauty and of what she has a claim to that in a little while
nobody within her reach will be good enough for her Vanity working on a weak
head produces every sort of mischief Nothing so easy as for a young lady to
raise her expectations too high Miss Harriet Smith may not find offers of
marriage flow in so fast though she is a very pretty girl Men of sense,
whatever you may chuse to say do not want silly wives Men of family would not
be very fond of connecting themselves with a girl of such obscurity and most
prudent men would be afraid of the inconvenience and disgrace they might be
involved in when the mystery of her parentage came to be revealed Let her
marry Robert Martin and she is safe respectable and happy for ever but if
you encourage her to expect to marry greatly and teach her to be satisfied with
nothing less than a man of consequence and large fortune she may be a
parlourboarder at Mrs Goddards all the rest of her life or at least for
Harriet Smith is a girl who will marry somebody or other till she grow
desperate and is glad to catch at the old writing masters son«
»We think so very differently on this point Mr Knightley that there can
be no use in canvassing it We shall only be making each other more angry But
as to my letting her marry Robert Martin it is impossible she has refused him
and so decidedly I think as must prevent any second application She must
abide by the evil of having refused him whatever it may be and as to the
refusal itself I will not pretend to say that I might not influence her a
little but I assure you there was very little for me or for anybody to do His
appearance is so much against him and his manner so bad that if she ever were
disposed to favour him she is not now I can imagine that before she had seen
anybody superior she might tolerate him He was the brother of her friends and
he took pains to please her and altogether having seen nobody better that
must have been his great assistant she might not while she was at AbbeyMill
find him disagreeable But the case is altered now She knows now what gentlemen
are and nothing but a gentleman in education and manner has any chance with
Harriet«
»Nonsense errant nonsense as ever was talked« cried Mr Knightley
»Robert Martins manners have sense sincerity and goodhumour to recommend
them and his mind has more true gentility than Harriet Smith could understand«
Emma made no answer and tried to look cheerfully unconcerned but was
really feeling uncomfortable and wanting him very much to be gone She did not
repent what she had done she still thought herself a better judge of such a
point of female right and refinement than he could be but yet she had a sort of
habitual respect for his judgment in general which made her dislike having it
so loudly against her and to have him sitting just opposite to her in angry
state was very disagreeable Some minutes passed in this unpleasant silence
with only one attempt on Emmas side to talk of the weather but he made no
answer He was thinking The result of his thoughts appeared at last in these
words
»Robert Martin has no great lossif he can but think so and I hope it will
not be long before he does Your views for Harriet are best known to yourself
but as you make no secret of your love of matchmaking it is fair to suppose
that views and plans and projects you have and as a friend I shall just
hint to you that if Elton is the man I think it will be all labour in vain«
Emma laughed and disclaimed He continued
»Depend upon it Elton will not do Elton is a very good sort of man and a
very respectable vicar of Highbury but not at all likely to make an imprudent
match He knows the value of a good income as well as anybody Elton may talk
sentimentally but he will act rationally He is as well acquainted with his own
claims as you can be with Harriets He knows that he is a very handsome young
man and a great favourite wherever he goes and from his general way of talking
in unreserved moments when there are only men present I am convinced that he
does not mean to throw himself away I have heard him speak with great animation
of a large family of young ladies that his sisters are intimate with who have
all twenty thousand pounds apiece«
»I am very much obliged to you« said Emma laughing again »If I had set my
heart on Mr Eltons marrying Harriet it would have been very kind to open my
eyes but at present I only want to keep Harriet to myself I have done with
matchmaking indeed I could never hope to equal my own doings at Randalls I
shall leave off while I am well«
»Good morning to you« said he rising and walking off abruptly He was
very much vexed He felt the disappointment of the young man and was mortified
to have been the means of promoting it by the sanction he had given and the
part which he was persuaded Emma had taken in the affair was provoking him
exceedingly
Emma remained in a state of vexation too but there was more indistinctness
in the causes of hers than in his She did not always feel so absolutely
satisfied with herself so entirely convinced that her opinions were right and
her adversarys wrong as Mr Knightley He walked off in more complete
selfapprobation than he left for her She was not so materially cast down
however but that a little time and the return of Harriet were very adequate
restoratives Harriets staying away so long was beginning to make her uneasy
The possibility of the young mans coming to Mrs Goddards that morning and
meeting with Harriet and pleading his own cause gave alarming ideas The dread
of such a failure after all became the prominent uneasiness and when Harriet
appeared and in very good spirits and without having any such reason to give
for her long absence she felt a satisfaction which settled her with her own
mind and convinced her that let Mr Knightley think or say what he would she
had done nothing which womans friendship and womans feelings would not
justify
He had frightened her a little about Mr Elton but when she considered that
Mr Knightley could not have observed him as she had done neither with the
interest nor she must be allowed to tell herself in spite of Mr Knightleys
pretensions with the skill of such an observer on such a question as herself
that he had spoken it hastily and in anger she was able to believe that he had
rather said what he wished resentfully to be true than what he knew anything
about He certainly might have heard Mr Elton speak with more unreserve than
she had ever done and Mr Elton might not be of an imprudent inconsiderate
disposition as to moneymatters he might naturally be rather attentive than
otherwise to them but then Mr Knightley did not make due allowance for the
influence of a strong passion at war with all interested motives Mr Knightley
saw no such passion and of course thought nothing of its effects but she saw
too much of it to feel a doubt of its overcoming any hesitations that a
reasonable prudence might originally suggest and more than a reasonable
becoming degree of prudence she was very sure did not belong to Mr Elton
Harriets cheerful look and manner established hers she came back not to
think of Mr Martin but to talk of Mr Elton Miss Nash had been telling her
something which she repeated immediately with great delight Mr Perry had been
to Mrs Goddards to attend a sick child and Miss Nash had seen him and he had
told Miss Nash that as he was coming back yesterday from Clayton Park he had
met Mr Elton and found to his great surprize that Mr Elton was actually on
his road to London and not meaning to return till the morrow though it was the
whistclub night which he had been never known to miss before and Mr Perry
had remonstrated with him about it and told him how shabby it was in him their
best player to absent himself and tried very much to persuade him to put off
his journey only one day but it would not do Mr Elton had been determined to
go on and had said in a very particular way indeed that he was going on
business which he would not put off for any inducement in the world and
something about a very enviable commission and being the bearer of something
exceedingly precious Mr Perry could not quite understand him but he was very
sure there must be a lady in the case and he told him so and Mr Elton only
looked very conscious and smiling and rode off in great spirits Miss Nash had
told her all this and had talked a great deal more about Mr Elton and said
looking so very significantly at her »that she did not pretend to understand
what his business might be but she only knew that any woman whom Mr Elton
could prefer she should think the luckiest woman in the world for beyond a
doubt Mr Elton had not his equal for beauty or agreeableness«
Chapter IX
Mr Knightley might quarrel with her but Emma could not quarrel with herself
He was so much displeased that it was longer than usual before he came to
Hartfield again and when they did meet his grave looks shewed that she was not
forgiven She was sorry but could not repent On the contrary her plans and
proceedings were more and more justified and endeared to her by the general
appearances of the next few days
The Picture elegantly framed came safely to hand soon after Mr Eltons
return and being hung over the mantlepiece of the common sittingroom he got
up to look at it and sighed out his half sentences of admiration just as he
ought and as for Harriets feelings they were visibly forming themselves into
as strong and steady an attachment as her youth and sort of mind admitted Emma
was soon perfectly satisfied of Mr Martins being no otherwise remembered than
as he furnished a contrast with Mr Elton of the utmost advantage to the
latter
Her views of improving her little friends mind by a great deal of useful
reading and conversation had never yet led to more than a few first chapters
and the intention of going on tomorrow It was much easier to chat than to
study much pleasanter to let her imagination range and work at Harriets
fortune than to be labouring to enlarge her comprehension or exercise it on
sober facts and the only literary pursuit which engaged Harriet at present the
only mental provision she was making for the evening of life was the collecting
and transcribing all the riddles of every sort that she could meet with into a
thin quarto of hotpressed paper made up by her friend and ornamented with
cyphers and trophies
In this age of literature such collections on a very grand scale are not
uncommon Miss Nash headteacher at Mrs Goddards had written out at least
three hundred and Harriet who had taken the first hint of it from her hoped
with Miss Woodhouses help to get a great many more Emma assisted with her
invention memory and taste and as Harriet wrote a very pretty hand it was
likely to be an arrangement of the first order in form as well as quantity
Mr Woodhouse was almost as much interested in the business as the girls
and tried very often to recollect something worth their putting in »So many
clever riddles as there used to be when he was young he wondered he could not
remember them but he hoped he should in time« And it always ended in »Kitty a
fair but frozen maid«
His good friend Perry too whom he had spoken to on the subject did not at
present recollect any thing of the riddle kind but he had desired Perry to be
upon the watch and as he went about so much something he thought might come
from that quarter
It was by no means his daughters wish that the intellects of Highbury in
general should be put under requisition Mr Elton was the only one whose
assistance she asked He was invited to contribute any really good enigmas
charades or conundrums that he might recollect and she had the pleasure of
seeing him most intently at work with his recollections and at the same time
as she could perceive most earnestly careful that nothing ungallant nothing
that did not breathe a compliment to the sex should pass his lips They owed to
him their two or three politest puzzles and the joy and exultation with which
at last he recalled and rather sentimentally recited that wellknown charade
My first doth affliction denote
Which my second is destind to feel
And my whole is the best antidote
That affliction to soften and heal
made her quite sorry to acknowledge that they had transcribed it some pages ago
already
»Why will not you write one yourself for us Mr Elton« said she »that is
the only security for its freshness and nothing could be easier to you«
»Oh no he had never written hardly ever any thing of the kind in his
life The stupidest fellow He was afraid not even Miss Woodhouse« he stopt a
moment »or Miss Smith could inspire him«
The very next day however produced some proof of inspiration He called for
a few moments just to leave a piece of paper on the table containing as he
said a charade which a friend of his had addressed to a young lady the object
of his admiration but which from his manner Emma was immediately convinced
must be his own
»I do not offer it for Miss Smiths collection« said he »Being my
friends I have no right to expose it in any degree to the public eye but
perhaps you may not dislike looking at it«
The speech was more to Emma than to Harriet which Emma could understand
There was deep consciousness about him and he found it easier to meet her eye
than her friends He was gone the next moment after another moments pause
»Take it« said Emma smiling and pushing the paper towards Harriet »it
is for you Take your own«
But Harriet was in a tremor and could not touch it and Emma never loth to
be first was obliged to examine it herself
To Miss
Charade
My first displays the wealth and pomp of kings
Lords of the earth their luxury and ease
Another view of man my second brings
Behold him there the monarch of the seas
But ah united what reverse we have
Mans boasted power and freedom all are flown
Lord of the earth and sea he bends a slave
And woman lovely woman reigns alone
Thy ready wit the word will soon supply
May its approval beam in that soft eye
She cast her eye over it pondered caught the meaning read it through again to
be quite certain and quite mistress of the lines and then passing it to
Harriet sat happily smiling and saying to herself while Harriet was puzzling
over the paper in all the confusion of hope and dulness »Very well Mr Elton
very well indeed I have read worse charades Courtship a very good hint I
give you credit for it This is feeling your way This is saying very plainly
Pray Miss Smith give me leave to pay my addresses to you Approve my charade
and my intentions in the same glance
May its approval beam in that soft eye
Harriet exactly Soft is the very word for her eye of all epithets the
justest that could be given
Thy ready wit the word will soon supply
Humph Harriets ready wit All the better A man must be very much in love
indeed to describe her so Ah Mr Knightley I wish you had the benefit of
this I think this would convince you For once in your life you would be
obliged to own yourself mistaken An excellent charade indeed and very much to
the purpose Things must come to a crisis soon now«
She was obliged to break off from these very pleasant observations which
were otherwise of a sort to run into great length by the eagerness of Harriets
wondering questions
»What can it be Miss Woodhouse what can it be I have not an idea I
cannot guess it in the least What can it possibly be Do try to find it out
Miss Woodhouse Do help me I never saw any thing so hard Is it kingdom I
wonder who the friend was and who could be the young lady Do you think it is
a good one Can it be woman
And woman lovely woman reigns alone
Can it be Neptune
Behold him there the monarch of the seas
Or a trident or a mermaid or a shark Oh no shark is only one syllable It
must be very clever or he would not have brought it Oh Miss Woodhouse do you
think we shall ever find it out«
»Mermaids and sharks Nonsense My dear Harriet what are you thinking of
Where would be the use of his bringing us a charade made by a friend upon a
mermaid or a shark Give me the paper and listen
For Miss read Miss Smith
My first displays the wealth and pomp of kings
Lords of the earth their luxury and ease
That is court
Another view of man my second brings
Behold him there the monarch of the seas
That is ship plain as can be Now for the cream
But ah united courtship you know what reverse we have
Mans boasted power and freedom all are flown
Lord of the earth and sea he bends a slave
And woman lovely woman reigns alone
A very proper compliment and then follows the application which I think my
dear Harriet you cannot find much difficulty in comprehending Read it in
comfort to yourself There can be no doubt of its being written for you and to
you«
Harriet could not long resist so delightful a persuasion She read the
concluding lines and was all flutter and happiness She could not speak But
she was not wanted to speak It was enough for her to feel Emma spoke for her
»There is so pointed and so particular a meaning in this compliment« said
she »that I cannot have a moments doubt as to Mr Eltons intentions You are
his object and you will soon receive the completest proof of it I thought it
must be so I thought I could not be so deceived but now it is clear the
state of his mind is as clear and decided as my wishes on the subject have been
ever since I knew you Yes Harriet just so long have I been wanting the very
circumstance to happen which has happened I could never tell whether an
attachment between you and Mr Elton were most desirable or most natural Its
probability and its eligibility have really so equalled each other I am very
happy I congratulate you my dear Harriet with all my heart This is an
attachment which a woman may well feel pride in creating This is a connection
which offers nothing but good It will give you every thing that you want
consideration independence a proper home it will fix you in the centre of
all your real friends close to Hartfield and to me and confirm our intimacy
for ever This Harriet is an alliance which can never raise a blush in either
of us«
»Dear Miss Woodhouse« and »Dear Miss Woodhouse« was all that Harriet
with many tender embraces could articulate at first but when they did arrive at
something more like conversation it was sufficiently clear to her friend that
she saw felt anticipated and remembered just as she ought Mr Eltons
superiority had very ample acknowledgment
»Whatever you say is always right« cried Harriet »and therefore I suppose
and believe and hope it must be so but otherwise I could not have imagined it
It is so much beyond any thing I deserve Mr Elton who might marry any body
There cannot be two opinions about him He is so very superior Only think of
those sweet verses To Miss Dear me how clever Could it really be meant
for me«
»I cannot make a question or listen to a question about that It is a
certainty Receive it on my judgment It is a sort of prologue to the play a
motto to the chapter and will be soon followed by matterof-fact prose«
»It is a sort of thing which nobody could have expected I am sure a month
ago I had no more idea myself The strangest things do take place«
»When Miss Smiths and Mr Eltons get acquainted they do indeed and
really it is strange it is out of the common course that what is so evidently
so palpably desirable what courts the prearrangement of other people should
so immediately shape itself into the proper form You and Mr Elton are by
situation called together you belong to one another by every circumstance of
your respective homes Your marrying will be equal to the match at Randalls
There does seem to be a something in the air of Hartfield which gives love
exactly the right direction and sends it into the very channel where it ought
to flow
The course of true love never did run smooth
A Hartfield edition of Shakespeare would have a long note on that passage«
»That Mr Elton should really be in love with me me of all people who
did not know him to speak to him at Michaelmas And he the very handsomest
man that ever was and a man that every body looks up to quite like Mr
Knightley His company so sought after that every body says he need not eat a
single meal by himself if he does not chuse it that he has more invitations
than there are days in the week And so excellent in the Church Miss Nash has
put down all the texts he has ever preached from since he came to Highbury Dear
me When I look back to the first time I saw him How little did I think The
two Abbotts and I ran into the front room and peeped through the blind when we
heard he was going by and Miss Nash came and scolded us away and staid to look
through herself however she called me back presently and let me look too
which was very goodnatured And how beautiful we thought he looked He was arm
in arm with Mr Cole«
»This is an alliance which whoever whatever your friends may be must be
agreeable to them provided at least they have common sense and we are not to
be addressing our conduct to fools If they are anxious to see you happily
married here is a man whose amiable character gives every assurance of it if
they wish to have you settled in the same country and circle which they have
chosen to place you in here it will be accomplished and if their only object
is that you should in the common phrase be well married here is the
comfortable fortune the respectable establishment the rise in the world which
must satisfy them«
»Yes very true How nicely you talk I love to hear you You understand
every thing You and Mr Elton are one as clever as the other This charade
If I had studied a twelvemonth I could never have made any thing like it«
»I thought he meant to try his skill by his manner of declining it
yesterday«
»I do think it is without exception the best charade I ever read«
»I never read one more to the purpose certainly«
»It is as long again as almost all we have had before«
»I do not consider its length as particularly in its favour Such things in
general cannot be too short«
Harriet was too intent on the lines to hear The most satisfactory
comparisons were rising in her mind
»It is one thing« said she presently her cheeks in a glow »to have
very good sense in a common way like every body else and if there is any thing
to say to sit down and write a letter and say just what you must in a short
way and another to write verses and charades like this«
Emma could not have desired a more spirited rejection of Mr Martins prose
»Such sweet lines« continued Harriet »these two last But how shall I
ever be able to return the paper or say I have found it out Oh Miss
Woodhouse what can we do about that«
»Leave it to me You do nothing He will be here this evening I dare say
and then I will give it him back and some nonsense or other will pass between
us and you shall not be committed Your soft eyes shall chuse their own time
for beaming Trust to me«
»Oh Miss Woodhouse what a pity that I must not write this beautiful
charade into my book I am sure I have not got one half so good«
»Leave out the two last lines and there is no reason why you should not
write it into your book«
»Oh but those two lines are«
» The best of all Granted for private enjoyment and for private
enjoyment keep them They are not at all the less written you know because you
divide them The couplet does not cease to be nor does its meaning change But
take it away and all appropriation ceases and a very pretty gallant charade
remains fit for any collection Depend upon it he would not like to have his
charade slighted much better than his passion A poet in love must be
encouraged in both capacities or neither Give me the book I will write it
down and then there can be no possible reflection on you«
Harriet submitted though her mind could hardly separate the parts, so as to
feel quite sure that her friend were not writing down a declaration of love It
seemed too precious an offering for any degree of publicity
»I shall never let that book go out of my own hands« said she
»Very well« replied Emma »a most natural feeling and the longer it lasts
the better I shall be pleased But here is my father coming you will not object
to my reading the charade to him It will be giving him so much pleasure He
loves any thing of the sort and especially any thing that pays woman a
compliment He has the tenderest spirit of gallantry towards us all You must
let me read it to him«
Harriet looked grave
»My dear Harriet you must not refine too much upon this charade You will
betray your feelings improperly if you are too conscious and too quick and
appear to affix more meaning or even quite all the meaning which may be affixed
to it Do not be overpowered by such a little tribute of admiration If he had
been anxious for secrecy he would not have left the paper while I was by but
he rather pushed it towards me than towards you Do not let us be too solemn on
the business He has encouragement enough to proceed without our sighing out
our souls over this charade«
»Oh no I hope I shall not be ridiculous about it Do as you please«
Mr Woodhouse came in and very soon led to the subject again by the
recurrence of his very frequent inquiry of »Well my dears how does your book
go on Have you got any thing fresh«
»Yes papa we have something to read you something quite fresh A piece of
paper was found on the table this morning dropt we suppose by a fairy
containing a very pretty charade and we have just copied it in«
She read it to him just as he liked to have any thing read slowly and
distinctly and two or three times over with explanations of every part as she
proceeded and he was very much pleased and as she had foreseen especially
struck with the complimentary conclusion
»Aye thats very just indeed thats very properly said Very true Woman
lovely woman It is such a pretty charade my dear that I can easily guess what
fairy brought it Nobody could have written so prettily but you Emma«
Emma only nodded and smiled After a little thinking and a very tender
sigh he added
»Ah it is no difficulty to see who you take after Your dear mother was so
clever at all those things If I had but her memory But I can remember nothing
not even that particular riddle which you have heard me mention I can only
recollect the first stanza and there are several
Kitty a fair but frozen maid
Kindled a flame I yet deplore
The hoodwinkd boy I called to aid
Though of his near approach afraid
So fatal to my suit before
And that is all that I can recollect of it but it is very clever all the way
through But I think my dear you said you had got it«
»Yes papa it is written out in our second page We copied it from the
Elegant Extracts It was Garricks you know«
»Aye very true I wish I could recollect more of it
Kitty a fair but frozen maid
The name makes me think of poor Isabella for she was very near being christened
Catherine after her grandmama I hope we shall have her here next week Have you
thought my dear where you shall put her and what room there will be for the
children«
»Oh yes she will have her own room of course the room she always has
and there is the nursery for the children just as usual you know Why
should there be any change«
»I do not know my dear but it is so long since she was here not since
last Easter and then only for a few days Mr John Knightleys being a lawyer
is very inconvenient Poor Isabella she is sadly taken away from us all
and how sorry she will be when she comes not to see Miss Taylor here«
»She will not be surprized papa at least«
»I do not know my dear I am sure I was very much surprized when I first
heard she was going to be married«
»We must ask Mr and Mrs Weston to dine with us while Isabella is here«
»Yes my dear if there is time But in a very depressed tone she is
coming for only one week There will not be time for any thing.«
»It is unfortunate that they cannot stay longer but it seems a case of
necessity Mr John Knightley must be in town again on the 28th and we ought to
be thankful papa that we are to have the whole of the time they can give to
the country that two or three days are not to be taken out for the Abbey Mr
Knightley promises to give up his claim this Christmas though you know it is
longer since they were with him than with us«
»It would be very hard indeed my dear if poor Isabella were to be anywhere
but at Hartfield«
Mr Woodhouse could never allow for Mr Knightleys claims on his brother
or any bodys claims on Isabella except his own He sat musing a little while
and then said
»But I do not see why poor Isabella should be obliged to go back so soon
though he does I think Emma I shall try and persuade her to stay longer with
us She and the children might stay very well«
»Ah papa that is what you never have been able to accomplish and I do
not think you ever will Isabella cannot bear to stay behind her husband«
This was too true for contradiction Unwelcome as it was Mr Woodhouse
could only give a submissive sigh and as Emma saw his spirits affected by the
idea of his daughters attachment to her husband she immediately led to such a
branch of the subject as must raise them
»Harriet must give us as much of her company as she can while my brother and
sister are here I am sure she will be pleased with the children We are very
proud of the children are not we papa I wonder which she will think the
handsomest Henry or John«
»Aye I wonder which she will Poor little dears how glad they will be to
come They are very fond of being at Hartfield Harriet«
»I dare say they are sir I am sure I do not know who is not«
»Henry is a fine boy but John is very like his mamma Henry is the eldest
he was named after me not after his father John the second is named after
his father Some people are surprized I believe that the eldest was not but
Isabella would have him called Henry which I thought very pretty of her And he
is a very clever boy indeed They are all remarkably clever and they have so
many pretty ways They will come and stand by my chair and say Grandpapa can
you give me a bit of string and once Henry asked me for a knife but I told him
knives were only made for grandpapas I think their father is too rough with
them very often«
»He appears rough to you« said Emma »because you are so very gentle
yourself but if you could compare him with other papas you would not think him
rough He wishes his boys to be active and hardy and if they misbehave can
give them a sharp word now and then but he is an affectionate father
certainly Mr John Knightley is an affectionate father The children are all
fond of him«
»And then their uncle comes in and tosses them up to the ceiling in a very
frightful way«
»But they like it papa there is nothing they like so much It is such
enjoyment to them that if their uncle did not lay down the rule of their taking
turns which ever began would never give way to the other«
»Well I cannot understand it«
»That is the case with us all papa One half of the world cannot understand
the pleasures of the other«
Later in the morning and just as the girls were going to separate in
preparation for the regular four oclock dinner the hero of this inimitable
charade walked in again Harriet turned away but Emma could receive him with
the usual smile and her quick eye soon discerned in his the consciousness of
having made a push of having thrown a die and she imagined he was come to see
how it might turn up His ostensible reason however was to ask whether Mr
Woodhouses party could be made up in the evening without him or whether he
should be in the smallest degree necessary at Hartfield If he were every thing
else must give way but otherwise his friend Cole had been saying so much about
his dining with him had made such a point of it that he had promised him
conditionally to come
Emma thanked him but could not allow of his disappointing his friend on
their account her father was sure of his rubber He reurged she redeclined
and he seemed then about to make his bow when taking the paper from the table
she returned it
»Oh heres the charade you were so obliging as to leave with us thank you
for the sight of it We admired it so much that I have ventured to write it
into Miss Smiths collection Your friend will not take it amiss I hope Of
course I have not transcribed beyond the eight first lines«
Mr Elton certainly did not very well know what to say He looked rather
doubtingly rather confused said something about honour glanced at Emma and
at Harriet and then seeing the book open on the table took it up and examined
it very attentively With the view of passing off an awkward moment Emma
smilingly said
»You must make my apologies to your friend but so good a charade must not
be confined to one or two He may be sure of every womans approbation while he
writes with such gallantry«
»I have no hesitation in saying« replied Mr Elton though hesitating a
good deal while he spoke »I have no hesitation in saying at least if my
friend feels at all as I do I have not the smallest doubt that could he see
his little effusion honoured as I see it looking at the book again and
replacing it on the table he would consider it as the proudest moment of his
life«
After this speech he was gone as soon as possible Emma could not think it
too soon for with all his good and agreeable qualities there was a sort of
parade in his speeches which was very apt to incline her to laugh She ran away
to indulge the inclination leaving the tender and the sublime of pleasure to
Harriets share
Chapter X
Though now the middle of December there had yet been no weather to prevent the
young ladies from tolerably regular exercise and on the morrow Emma had a
charitable visit to pay to a poor sick family who lived a little way out of
Highbury
Their road to this detached cottage was down Vicaragelane a lane leading at
rightangles from the broad though irregular main street of the place and as
may be inferred containing the blessed abode of Mr Elton A few inferior
dwellings were first to be passed and then about a quarter of a mile down the
lane rose the Vicarage an old and not very good house almost as close to the
road as it could be It had no advantage of situation but had been very much
smartened up by the present proprietor and such as it was there could be no
possibility of the two friends passing it without a slackened pace and observing
eyes Emmas remark was
»There it is There go you and your riddlebook one of these days«
Harriets was
»Oh what a sweet house How very beautiful There are the yellow
curtains that Miss Nash admires so much«
»I do not often walk this way now« said Emma as they proceeded »but then
there will be an inducement and I shall gradually get intimately acquainted
with all the hedges gates pools and pollards of this part of Highbury«
Harriet she found had never in her life been within side the Vicarage and
her curiosity to see it was so extreme that considering exteriors and
probabilities Emma could only class it as a proof of love with Mr Eltons
seeing ready wit in her
»I wish we could contrive it« said she »but I cannot think of any
tolerable pretence for going in no servant that I want to inquire about of
his housekeeper no message from my father«
She pondered but could think of nothing After a mutual silence of some
minutes Harriet thus began again
»I do so wonder Miss Woodhouse that you should not be married or going to
be married so charming as you are«
Emma laughed and replied
»My being charming Harriet is not quite enough to induce me to marry I
must find other people charming one other person at least And I am not only
not going to be married at present but have very little intention of ever
marrying at all«
»Ah so you say but I cannot believe it«
»I must see somebody very superior to any one I have seen yet to be
tempted Mr Elton you know recollecting herself is out of the question
and I do not wish to see any such person I would rather not be tempted I
cannot really change for the better If I were to marry I must expect to repent
it«
»Dear me it is so odd to hear a woman talk so«
»I have none of the usual inducements of women to marry Were I to fall in
love indeed it would be a different thing but I never have been in love it
is not my way or my nature and I do not think I ever shall And without love
I am sure I should be a fool to change such a situation as mine Fortune I do
not want employment I do not want consequence I do not want I believe few
married women are half as much mistress of their husbands house as I am of
Hartfield and never never could I expect to be so truly beloved and important
so always first and always right in any mans eyes as I am in my fathers«
»But then to be an old maid at last like Miss Bates«
»That is as formidable an image as you could present Harriet and if I
thought I should ever be like Miss Bates so silly so satisfied so smiling
so prosing so undistinguishing and unfastidious and so apt to tell every
thing relative to every body about me I would marry tomorrow But between us
I am convinced there never can be any likeness except in being unmarried«
»But still you will be an old maid and thats so dreadful«
»Never mind Harriet I shall not be a poor old maid and it is poverty only
which makes celibacy contemptible to a generous public A single woman with a
very narrow income must be a ridiculous disagreeable old maid the proper
sport of boys and girls but a single woman of good fortune is always
respectable and may be as sensible and pleasant as anybody else And the
distinction is not quite so much against the candour and common sense of the
world as appears at first for a very narrow income has a tendency to contract
the mind, and sour the temper Those who can barely live and who live perforce
in a very small and generally very inferior society may well be illiberal and
cross This does not apply however to Miss Bates she is only too good natured
and too silly to suit me but in general she is very much to the taste of
everybody though single and though poor Poverty certainly has not contracted
her mind I really believe if she had only a shilling in the world she would
be very likely to give away sixpence of it and nobody is afraid of her that is
a great charm«
»Dear me but what shall you do how shall you employ yourself when you grow
old«
»If I know myself Harriet mine is an active busy mind with a great many
independent resources and I do not perceive why I should be more in want of
employment at forty or fifty than oneandtwenty Womans usual occupations of
eye and hand and mind will be as open to me then as they are now or with no
important variation If I draw less I shall read more if I give up music I
shall take to carpetwork And as for objects of interest objects for the
affections which is in truth the great point of inferiority the want of which
is really the great evil to be avoided in not marrying I shall be very well
off with all the children of a sister I love so much to care about There will
be enough of them in all probability to supply every sort of sensation that
declining life can need There will be enough for every hope and every fear and
though my attachment to none can equal that of a parent it suits my ideas of
comfort better than what is warmer and blinder My nephews and nieces I shall
often have a niece with me«
»Do you know Miss Batess niece That is I know you must have seen her a
hundred times but are you acquainted«
»Oh yes we are always forced to be acquainted whenever she comes to
Highbury By the bye that is almost enough to put one out of conceit with a
niece Heaven forbid at least that I should ever bore people half so much
about all the Knightleys together as she does about Jane Fairfax One is sick
of the very name of Jane Fairfax Every letter from her is read forty times
over her compliments to all friends go round and round again and if she does
but send her aunt the pattern of a stomacher or knit a pair of garters for her
grandmother one hears of nothing else for a month I wish Jane Fairfax very
well but she tires me to death«
They were now approaching the cottage and all idle topics were superseded
Emma was very compassionate and the distresses of the poor were as sure of
relief from her personal attention and kindness her counsel and her patience
as from her purse She understood their ways could allow for their ignorance
and their temptations had no romantic expectations of extraordinary virtue from
those for whom education had done so little entered into their troubles with
ready sympathy and always gave her assistance with as much intelligence as
goodwill In the present instance it was sickness and poverty together which
she came to visit and after remaining there as long as she could give comfort
or advice she quitted the cottage with such an impression of the scene as made
her say to Harriet as they walked away
»These are the sights Harriet to do one good How trifling they make every
thing else appear I feel now as if I could think of nothing but these poor
creatures all the rest of the day and yet who can say how soon it may all
vanish from my mind«
»Very true« said Harriet »Poor creatures one can think of nothing else«
»And really I do not think the impression will soon be over« said Emma as
she crossed the low hedge and tottering footstep which ended the narrow
slippery path through the cottage garden and brought them into the lane again
»I do not think it will« stopping to look once more at all the outward
wretchedness of the place and recal the still greater within
»Oh dear no« said her companion
They walked on The lane made a slight bend and when that bend was passed
Mr Elton was immediately in sight and so near as to give Emma time only to say
farther
»Ah Harriet here comes a very sudden trial of our stability in good
thoughts Well smiling I hope it may be allowed that if compassion has
produced exertion and relief to the sufferers it has done all that is truly
important If we feel for the wretched enough to do all we can for them the
rest is empty sympathy only distressing to ourselves«
Harriet could just answer »Oh dear yes« before the gentleman joined
them The wants and sufferings of the poor family however were the first
subject on meeting He had been going to call on them His visit he would now
defer but they had a very interesting parley about what could be done and
should be done Mr Elton then turned back to accompany them
»To fall in with each other on such an errand as this« thought Emma »to
meet in a charitable scheme this will bring a great increase of love on each
side I should not wonder if it were to bring on the declaration It must if I
were not here I wish I were anywhere else«
Anxious to separate herself from them as far as she could she soon
afterwards took possession of a narrow footpath a little raised on one side of
the lane leaving them together in the main road But she had not been there two
minutes when she found that Harriets habits of dependence and imitation were
bringing her up too and that in short they would both be soon after her This
would not do she immediately stopped under pretence of having some alteration
to make in the lacing of her halfboot and stooping down in complete occupation
of the footpath begged them to have the goodness to walk on and she would
follow in half a minute They did as they were desired and by the time she
judged it reasonable to have done with her boot she had the comfort of further
delay in her power being overtaken by a child from the cottage setting out
according to orders with her pitcher to fetch broth from Hartfield To walk by
the side of this child and talk to and question her was the most natural thing
in the world or would have been the most natural had she been acting just then
without design and by this means the others were still able to keep ahead
without any obligation of waiting for her She gained on them however
involuntarily the childs pace was quick and theirs rather slow and she was
the more concerned at it from their being evidently in a conversation which
interested them Mr Elton was speaking with animation Harriet listening with a
very pleased attention and Emma having sent the child on was beginning to
think how she might draw back a little more when they both looked around and
she was obliged to join them
Mr Elton was still talking still engaged in some interesting detail and
Emma experienced some disappointment when she found that he was only giving his
fair companion an account of the yesterdays party at his friend Coles and
that she was come in herself for the Stilton cheese the north Wiltshire the
butter the cellery the beetroot and all the dessert
»This would soon have led to something better of course« was her consoling
reflection »any thing interests between those who love and any thing will
serve as introduction to what is near the heart If I could but have kept longer
away«
They now walked on together quietly till within view of the vicarage pales
when a sudden resolution of at least getting Harriet into the house made her
again find something very much amiss about her boot and fall behind to arrange
it once more She then broke the lace off short and dexterously throwing it
into a ditch was presently obliged to entreat them to stop and acknowledge her
inability to put herself to rights so as to be able to walk home in tolerable
comfort
»Part of my lace is gone« said she »and I do not know how I am to
contrive I really am a most troublesome companion to you both but I hope I am
not often so illequipped Mr Elton I must beg leave to stop at your house
and ask your housekeeper for a bit of ribband or string or any thing just to
keep my boot on«
Mr Elton looked all happiness at this proposition and nothing could exceed
his alertness and attention in conducting them into his house and endeavouring
to make every thing appear to advantage The room they were taken into was the
one he chiefly occupied and looking forwards behind it was another with which
it immediately communicated the door between them was open and Emma passed
into it with the housekeeper to receive her assistance in the most comfortable
manner She was obliged to leave the door ajar as she found it but she fully
intended that Mr Elton should close it It was not closed however it still
remained ajar but by engaging the housekeeper in incessant conversation she
hoped to make it practicable for him to chuse his own subject in the adjoining
room For ten minutes she could hear nothing but herself It could be protracted
no longer She was then obliged to be finished and make her appearance
The lovers were standing together at one of the windows It had a most
favourable aspect and for half a minute Emma felt the glory of having schemed
successfully But it would not do he had not come to the point He had been
most agreeable most delightful he had told Harriet that he had seen them go
by and had purposely followed them other little gallantries and allusions had
been dropt but nothing serious
»Cautious very cautious« thought Emma »he advances inch by inch and will
hazard nothing till he believes himself secure«
Still however though every thing had not been accomplished by her
ingenious device she could not but flatter herself that it had been the
occasion of much present enjoyment to both and must be leading them forward to
the great event
Chapter XI
Mr Elton must now be left to himself It was no longer in Emmas power to
superintend his happiness or quicken his measures The coming of her sisters
family was so very near at hand that first in anticipation and then in reality
it became henceforth her prime object of interest and during the ten days of
their stay at Hartfield it was not to be expected she did not herself expect
that any thing beyond occasional fortuitous assistance could be afforded by her
to the lovers They might advance rapidly if they would however they must
advance somehow or other whether they would or no She hardly wished to have
more leisure for them There are people who the more you do for them the less
they will do for themselves
Mr and Mrs John Knightley from having been longer than usual absent from
Surry were exciting of course rather more than the usual interest Till this
year every long vacation since their marriage had been divided between
Hartfield and Donwell Abbey but all the holidays of this autumn had been given
to seabathing for the children and it was therefore many months since they had
been seen in a regular way by their Surry connections or seen at all by Mr
Woodhouse who could not be induced to get so far as London even for poor
Isabellas sake and who consequently was now most nervously and apprehensively
happy in forestalling this too short visit
He thought much of the evils of the journey for her and not a little of the
fatigues of his own horses and coachman who were to bring some of the party the
last half of the way but his alarms were needless the sixteen miles being
happily accomplished and Mr and Mrs John Knightley their five children and
a competent number of nurserymaids all reaching Hartfield in safety The
bustle and joy of such an arrival the many to be talked to welcomed
encouraged and variously dispersed and disposed of produced a noise and
confusion which his nerves could not have born under any other cause nor have
endured much longer even for this but the ways of Hartfield and the feelings of
her father were so respected by Mrs John Knightley that in spite of maternal
solicitude for the immediate enjoyment of her little ones and for their having
instantly all the liberty and attendance all the eating and drinking and
sleeping and playing which they could possibly wish for without the smallest
delay the children were never allowed to be long a disturbance to him either
in themselves or in any restless attendance on them
Mrs John Knightley was a pretty elegant little woman of gentle quiet
manners and a disposition remarkably amiable and affectionate wrapt up in her
family a devoted wife a doating mother and so tenderly attached to her father
and sister that but for these higher ties a warmer love might have seemed
impossible She could never see a fault in any of them She was not a woman of
strong understanding or any quickness and with this resemblance of her father
she inherited also much of his constitution was delicate in her own health
overcareful of that of her children had many fears and many nerves and was as
fond of her own Mr Wingfield in town as her father could be of Mr Perry They
were alike too in a general benevolence of temper and a strong habit of regard
for every old acquaintance
Mr John Knightley was a tall gentlemanlike and very clever man rising
in his profession domestic and respectable in his private character but with
reserved manners which prevented his being generally pleasing and capable of
being sometimes out of humour He was not an illtempered man not so often
unreasonably cross as to deserve such a reproach but his temper was not his
great perfection and indeed with such a worshipping wife it was hardly
possible that any natural defects in it should not be increased The extreme
sweetness of her temper must hurt his He had all the clearness and quickness of
mind which she wanted and he could sometimes act an ungracious or say a severe
thing He was not a great favourite with his fair sisterinlaw Nothing wrong
in him escaped her She was quick in feeling the little injuries to Isabella
which Isabella never felt herself Perhaps she might have passed over more had
his manners been flattering to Isabellas sister but they were only those of a
calmly kind brother and friend without praise and without blindness but hardly
any degree of personal compliment could have made her regardless of that
greatest fault of all in her eyes which he sometimes fell into the want of
respectful forbearance towards her father There he had not always the patience
that could have been wished Mr Woodhouses peculiarities and fidgettiness were
sometimes provoking him to a rational remonstrance or sharp retort equally ill
bestowed It did not often happen for Mr John Knightley had really a great
regard for his fatherinlaw and generally a strong sense of what was due to
him but it was too often for Emmas charity especially as there was all the
pain of apprehension frequently to be endured though the offence came not The
beginning however of every visit displayed none but the properest feelings
and this being of necessity so short might be hoped to pass away in unsullied
cordiality They had not been long seated and composed when Mr Woodhouse with
a melancholy shake of the head and a sigh called his daughters attention to
the sad change at Hartfield since she had been there last
»Ah my dear« said he »poor Miss Taylor It is a grievous business«
»Oh yes sir« cried she with ready sympathy »how you must miss her And
dear Emma too what a dreadful loss to you both I have been so grieved for
you I could not imagine how you could possibly do without her It is a sad
change indeed But I hope she is pretty well sir«
»Pretty well my dear I hope pretty well I do not know but that the
place agrees with her tolerably«
Mr John Knightley here asked Emma quietly whether there were any doubts of
the air of Randalls
»Oh no none in the least I never saw Mrs Weston better in my life
never looking so well Papa is only speaking his own regret«
»Very much to the honour of both« was the handsome reply
»And do you see her sir tolerably often« asked Isabella in the plaintive
tone which just suited her father
Mr Woodhouse hesitated »Not near so often my dear as I could wish«
»Oh papa we have missed seeing them but one entire day since they married
Either in the morning or evening of every day excepting one have we seen
either Mr Weston or Mrs Weston and generally both either at Randalls or here
and as you may suppose Isabella most frequently here They are very very
kind in their visits Mr Weston is really as kind as herself Papa if you
speak in that melancholy way you will be giving Isabella a false idea of us
all Every body must be aware that Miss Taylor must be missed but every body
ought also to be assured that Mr and Mrs Weston do really prevent our missing
her by any means to the extent we ourselves anticipated which is the exact
truth«
»Just as it should be« said Mr John Knightley »and just as I hoped it was
from your letters Her wish of shewing you attention could not be doubted and
his being a disengaged and social man makes it all easy I have been always
telling you my love that I had no idea of the change being so very material to
Hartfield as you apprehended and now you have Emmas account I hope you will
be satisfied«
»Why to be sure« said Mr Woodhouse »yes certainly I cannot deny that
Mrs Weston poor Mrs Weston does come and see us pretty often but then
she is always obliged to go away again«
»It would be very hard upon Mr Weston if she did not papa You quite
forget poor Mr Weston«
»I think indeed« said John Knightley pleasantly »that Mr Weston has some
little claim You and I Emma will venture to take the part of the poor
husband I being a husband and you not being a wife the claims of the man may
very likely strike us with equal force As for Isabella she has been married
long enough to see the convenience of putting all the Mr Westons aside as much
as she can«
»Me my love« cried his wife hearing and understanding only in part
»Are you talking about me I am sure nobody ought to be or can be a greater
advocate for matrimony than I am and if it had not been for the misery of her
leaving Hartfield I should never have thought of Miss Taylor but as the most
fortunate woman in the world and as to slighting Mr Weston that excellent Mr
Weston I think there is nothing he does not deserve I believe he is one of the
very best tempered men that ever existed Excepting yourself and your brother I
do not know his equal for temper I shall never forget his flying Henrys kite
for him that very windy day last Easter and ever since his particular kindness
last September twelvemonth in writing that note at twelve oclock at night on
purpose to assure me that there was no scarlet fever at Cobham I have been
convinced there could not be a more feeling heart nor a better man in existence
If any body can deserve him it must be Miss Taylor«
»Where is the young man« said John Knightley »Has he been here on this
occasion or has he not«
»He has not been here yet« replied Emma »There was a strong expectation of
his coming soon after the marriage but it ended in nothing and I have not
heard him mentioned lately«
»But you should tell them of the letter my dear« said her father »He
wrote a letter to poor Mrs Weston to congratulate her and a very proper
handsome letter it was She shewed it to me I thought it very well done of him
indeed Whether it was his own idea you know one cannot tell He is but young
and his uncle perhaps «
»My dear papa he is threeandtwenty You forget how time passes«
»Threeandtwenty is he indeed Well I could not have thought it and
he was but two years old when he lost his poor mother Well time does fly
indeed and my memory is very bad However it was an exceeding good pretty
letter and gave Mr and Mrs Weston a great deal of pleasure I remember it was
written from Weymouth and dated Sept 28th and began My dear Madam but I
forget how it went on and it was signed F C Weston Churchill I remember
that perfectly«
»How very pleasing and proper of him« cried the goodhearted Mrs John
Knightley »I have no doubt of his being a most amiable young man But how sad
it is that he should not live at home with his father There is something so
shocking in a childs being taken away from his parents and natural home I
never can comprehend how Mr Weston could part with him To give up ones child
I really never could think well of any body who proposed such a thing to any
body else«
»Nobody ever did think well of the Churchills I fancy« observed Mr John
Knightley coolly »But you need not imagine Mr Weston to have felt what you
would feel in giving up Henry or John Mr Weston is rather an easy cheerful
tempered man than a man of strong feelings he takes things as he finds them
and makes enjoyment of them somehow or other depending I suspect much more
upon what is called society for his comforts that is upon the power of eating
and drinking and playing whist with his neighbours five times aweek than upon
family affection or any thing that home affords«
Emma could not like what bordered on a reflection on Mr Weston and had
half a mind to take it up but she struggled and let it pass She would keep
the peace if possible and there was something honourable and valuable in the
strong domestic habits the allsufficiency of home to himself whence resulted
her brothers disposition to look down on the common rate of social intercourse
and those to whom it was important It had a high claim to forbearance
Chapter XII
Mr Knightley was to dine with them rather against the inclination of Mr
Woodhouse who did not like that any one should share with him in Isabellas
first day Emmas sense of right however had decided it and besides the
consideration of what was due to each brother she had particular pleasure from
the circumstance of the late disagreement between Mr Knightley and herself in
procuring him the proper invitation
She hoped they might now become friends again She thought it was time to
make up Makingup indeed would not do She certainly had not been in the wrong
and he would never own that he had Concession must be out of the question but
it was time to appear to forget that they had ever quarrelled and she hoped it
might rather assist the restoration of friendship that when he came into the
room she had one of the children with her the youngest a nice little girl
about eight months old who was now making her first visit to Hartfield and
very happy to be danced about in her aunts arms It did assist for though he
began with grave looks and short questions he was soon led on to talk of them
all in the usual way and to take the child out of her arms with all the
unceremoniousness of perfect amity Emma felt they were friends again and the
conviction giving her at first great satisfaction and then a little sauciness
she could not help saying as he was admiring the baby
»What a comfort it is that we think alike about our nephews and nieces As
to men and women our opinions are sometimes very different but with regard to
these children I observe we never disagree«
»If you were as much guided by nature in your estimate of men and women and
as little under the power of fancy and whim in your dealings with them as you
are where these children are concerned we might always think alike«
»To be sure our discordancies must always arise from my being in the
wrong«
»Yes« said he smiling »and reason good I was sixteen years old when you
were born«
»A material difference then« she replied »and no doubt you were much my
superior in judgment at that period of our lives but does not the lapse of
oneandtwenty years bring our understandings a good deal nearer«
»Yes a good deal nearer«
»But still not near enough to give me a chance of being right if we think
differently«
»I have still the advantage of you by sixteen years experience, and by not
being a pretty young woman and a spoiled child Come my dear Emma let us be
friends and say no more about it Tell your aunt little Emma that she ought to
set you a better example than to be renewing old grievances and that if she
were not wrong before she is now«
»Thats true« she cried »very true Little Emma grow up a better woman
than your aunt Be infinitely cleverer and not half so conceited Now Mr
Knightley a word or two more and I have done As far as good intentions went
we were both right and I must say that no effects on my side of the argument
have yet proved wrong I only want to know that Mr Martin is not very very
bitterly disappointed«
»A man cannot be more so« was his short full answer
»Ah Indeed I am very sorry Come shake hands with me«
This had just taken place and with great cordiality when John Knightley
made his appearance and »How dye do George« and »John how are you«
succeeded in the true English style burying under a calmness that seemed all
but indifference the real attachment which would have led either of them if
requisite to do every thing for the good of the other
The evening was quiet and conversible as Mr Woodhouse declined cards
entirely for the sake of comfortable talk with his dear Isabella and the little
party made two natural divisions on one side he and his daughter on the other
the two Mr Knightleys their subjects totally distinct or very rarely mixing
and Emma only occasionally joining in one or the other
The brothers talked of their own concerns and pursuits but principally of
those of the elder whose temper was by much the most communicative and who was
always the greater talker As a magistrate he had generally some point of law
to consult John about or at least some curious anecdote to give and as a
farmer as keeping in hand the homefarm at Donwell he had to tell what every
field was to bear next year and to give all such local information as could not
fail of being interesting to a brother whose home it had equally been the
longest part of his life and whose attachments were strong The plan of a
drain the change of a fence the felling of a tree and the destination of
every acre for wheat turnips or spring corn was entered into with as much
equality of interest by John as his cooler manners rendered possible and if
his willing brother ever left him any thing to inquire about his inquiries even
approached a tone of eagerness
While they were thus comfortably occupied Mr Woodhouse was enjoying a full
flow of happy regrets and fearful affection with his daughter
»My poor dear Isabella« said he fondly taking her hand and interrupting
for a few moments her busy labours for some one of her five children »How
long it is how terribly long since you were here And how tired you must be
after your journey You must go to bed early my dear and I recommend a little
gruel to you before you go You and I will have a nice basin of gruel
together My dear Emma suppose we all have a little gruel«
Emma could not suppose any such thing knowing as she did that both the
Mr Knightleys were as unpersuadable on that article as herself and two
basins only were ordered After a little more discourse in praise of gruel with
some wondering at its not being taken every evening by every body he proceeded
to say with an air of grave reflection
»It was an awkward business my dear your spending the autumn at South End
instead of coming here I never had much opinion of the sea air«
»Mr Wingfield most strenuously recommended it sir or we should not have
gone He recommended it for all the children but particularly for the weakness
in little Bellas throat both sea air and bathing«
»Ah my dear but Perry had many doubts about the sea doing her any good
and as to myself I have been long perfectly convinced though perhaps I never
told you so before that the sea is very rarely of use to any body I am sure it
almost killed me once«
»Come come« cried Emma feeling this to be an unsafe subject »I must beg
you not to talk of the sea It makes me envious and miserable I who have
never seen it South End is prohibited if you please My dear Isabella I have
not heard you make one inquiry after Mr Perry yet and he never forgets you«
»Oh good Mr Perry how is he sir«
»Why pretty well but not quite well Poor Perry is bilious and he has not
time to take care of himself he tells me he has not time to take care of
himself which is very sad but he is always wanted all round the country I
suppose there is not a man in such practice any where But then there is not so
clever a man any where«
»And Mrs Perry and the children how are they do the children grow I
have a great regard for Mr Perry I hope he will be calling soon He will be so
pleased to see my little ones«
»I hope he will be here tomorrow for I have a question or two to ask him
about myself of some consequence And my dear whenever he comes you had
better let him look at little Bellas throat«
»Oh my dear sir her throat is so much better that I have hardly any
uneasiness about it Either bathing has been of the greatest service to her or
else it is to be attributed to an excellent embrocation of Mr Wingfields
which we have been applying at times ever since August«
»It is not very likely my dear that bathing should have been of use to her
and if I had known you were wanting an embrocation I would have spoken to «
»You seem to me to have forgotten Mrs and Miss Bates« said Emma »I have
not heard one inquiry after them«
»Oh the good Bateses I am quite ashamed of myself but you mention them
in most of your letters I hope they are quite well Good old Mrs Bates I
will call upon her tomorrow and take my children They are always so pleased
to see my children And that excellent Miss Bates such thorough worthy
people How are they sir«
»Why pretty well my dear upon the whole But poor Mrs Bates had a bad
cold about a month ago«
»How sorry I am But colds were never so prevalent as they have been this
autumn Mr Wingfield told me that he had never known them more general or heavy
except when it has been quite an influenza«
»That has been a good deal the case my dear but not to the degree you
mention Perry says that colds have been very general but not so heavy as he
has very often known them in November Perry does not call it altogether a
sickly season«
»No I do not know that Mr Wingfield considers it very sickly except «
»Ah my poor dear child the truth is that in London it is always a sickly
season Nobody is healthy in London nobody can be It is a dreadful thing to
have you forced to live there so far off and the air so bad«
»No indeed we are not at all in a bad air Our part of London is so very
superior to most others You must not confound us with London in general my
dear sir The neighbourhood of Brunswick Square is very different from almost
all the rest We are so very airy I should be unwilling I own to live in any
other part of the town there is hardly any other that I could be satisfied to
have my children in but we are so remarkably airy Mr Wingfield thinks the
vicinity of Brunswick Square decidedly the most favourable as to air«
»Ah my dear it is not like Hartfield You make the best of it but after
you have been a week at Hartfield you are all of you different creatures you
do not look like the same Now I cannot say that I think you are any of you
looking well at present«
»I am sorry to hear you say so sir but I assure you excepting those
little nervous headaches and palpitations which I am never entirely free from
any where I am quite well myself and if the children were rather pale before
they went to bed it was only because they were a little more tired than usual
from their journey and the happiness of coming I hope you will think better of
their looks tomorrow for I assure you Mr Wingfield told me that he did not
believe he had ever sent us off altogether in such good case I trust at
least that you do not think Mr Knightley looking ill« turning her eyes with
affectionate anxiety towards her husband
»Middling my dear I cannot compliment you I think Mr John Knightley very
far from looking well«
»What is the matter sir Did you speak to me« cried Mr John Knightley
hearing his own name
»I am sorry to find my love that my father does not think you looking well
but I hope it is only from being a little fatigued I could have wished
however as you know that you had seen Mr Wingfield before you left home«
»My dear Isabella« exclaimed he hastily »pray do not concern yourself
about my looks Be satisfied with doctoring and coddling yourself and the
children and let me look as I chuse«
»I did not thoroughly understand what you were telling your brother« cried
Emma »about your friend Mr Grahams intending to have a bailiff from Scotland
to look after his new estate But will it answer Will not the old prejudice be
too strong«
And she talked in this way so long and successfully that when forced to
give her attention again to her father and sister she had nothing worse to hear
than Isabellas kind inquiry after Jane Fairfax and Jane Fairfax though no
great favourite with her in general she was at that moment very happy to assist
in praising
»That sweet amiable Jane Fairfax« said Mrs John Knightley »It is so
long since I have seen her except now and then for a moment accidentally in
town What happiness it must be to her good old grandmother and excellent aunt
when she comes to visit them I always regret excessively on dear Emmas account
that she cannot be more at Highbury but now their daughter is married I
suppose Colonel and Mrs Campbell will not be able to part with her at all She
would be such a delightful companion for Emma«
Mr Woodhouse agreed to it all but added
»Our little friend Harriet Smith however, is just such another pretty kind
of young person You will like Harriet Emma could not have a better companion
than Harriet«
»I am most happy to hear it but only Jane Fairfax one knows to be so very
accomplished and superior and exactly Emmas age«
This topic was discussed very happily and others succeeded of similar
moment and passed away with similar harmony but the evening did not close
without a little return of agitation The gruel came and supplied a great deal
to be said much praise and many comments undoubting decision of its
wholesomeness for every constitution and pretty severe Philippics upon the many
houses where it was never met with tolerable but unfortunately among the
failures which the daughter had to instance the most recent and therefore most
prominent was in her own cook at South End a young woman hired for the time
who never had been able to understand what she meant by a basin of nice smooth
gruel thin but not too thin Often as she had wished for and ordered it she
had never been able to get any thing tolerable Here was a dangerous opening
»Ah« said Mr Woodhouse shaking his head and fixing his eyes on her with
tender concern The ejaculation in Emmas ear expressed »Ah there is no end
of the sad consequences of your going to South End It does not bear talking
of« And for a little while she hoped he would not talk of it and that a silent
rumination might suffice to restore him to the relish of his own smooth gruel
After an interval of some minutes however he began with
»I shall always be very sorry that you went to the sea this autumn instead
of coming here«
»But why should you be sorry sir I assure you it did the children a
great deal of good«
»And moreover if you must go to the sea it had better not have been to
South End South End is an unhealthy place Perry was surprized to hear you had
fixed upon South End«
»I know there is such an idea with many people but indeed it is quite a
mistake sir We all had our health perfectly well there never found the
least inconvenience from the mud and Mr Wingfield says it is entirely a
mistake to suppose the place unhealthy and I am sure he may be depended on for
he thoroughly understands the nature of the air and his own brother and family
have been there repeatedly«
»You should have gone to Cromer my dear if you went any where Perry was
a week at Cromer once and he holds it to be the best of all the seabathing
places A fine open sea he says and very pure air And by what I understand
you might have had lodgings there quite away from the sea a quarter of a mile
off very comfortable You should have consulted Perry«
»But my dear sir the difference of the journey only consider how great
it would have been A hundred miles perhaps instead of forty«
»Ah my dear« as Perry says »where health is at stake nothing else should
be considered and if one is to travel there is not much to chuse between forty
miles and an hundred Better not move at all better stay in London altogether
than travel forty miles to get into a worse air This is just what Perry said
It seemed to him a very illjudged measure«
Emmas attempts to stop her father had been vain and when he had reached
such a point as this she could not wonder at her brotherinlaws breaking out
»Mr Perry« said he in a voice of very strong displeasure »would do as
well to keep his opinion till it is asked for Why does he make it any business
of his to wonder at what I do at my taking my family to one part of the
coast or another I may be allowed I hope the use of my judgment as well as
Mr Perry I want his directions no more than his drugs« He paused and
growing cooler in a moment added with only sarcastic dryness »If Mr Perry
can tell me how to convey a wife and five children a distance of an hundred and
thirty miles with no greater expense or inconvenience than a distance of forty
I should be as willing to prefer Cromer to South End as he could himself«
»True true« cried Mr Knightley with most ready interposition »very
true Thats a consideration indeed But John as to what I was telling you of
my idea of moving the path to Langham of turning it more to the right that it
may not cut through the home meadows I cannot conceive any difficulty I should
not attempt it if it were to be the means of inconvenience to the Highbury
people but if you call to mind exactly the present line of the path The
only way of proving it however will be to turn to our maps I shall see you at
the Abbey tomorrow morning I hope and then we will look them over and you
shall give me your opinion«
Mr Woodhouse was rather agitated by such harsh reflections on his friend
Perry to whom he had in fact though unconsciously been attributing many of
his own feelings and expressions but the soothing attentions of his daughters
gradually removed the present evil and the immediate alertness of one brother
and better recollections of the other prevented any renewal of it
Chapter XIII
There could hardly be an happier creature in the world than Mrs John
Knightley in this short visit to Hartfield going about every morning among her
old acquaintance with her five children and talking over what she had done
every evening with her father and sister She had nothing to wish otherwise
but that the days did not pass so swiftly It was a delightful visit perfect
in being much too short
In general their evenings were less engaged with friends than their
mornings but one complete dinner engagement and out of the house too there
was no avoiding though at Christmas Mr Weston would take no denial they must
all dine at Randalls one day even Mr Woodhouse was persuaded to think it a
possible thing in preference to a division of the party
How they were all to be conveyed he would have made a difficulty if he
could but as his son and daughters carriage and horses were actually at
Hartfield he was not able to make more than a simple question on that head it
hardly amounted to a doubt nor did it occupy Emma long to convince him that
they might in one of the carriages find room for Harriet also
Harriet Mr Elton and Mr Knightley their own especial set were the only
persons invited to meet them the hours were to be early as well as the
numbers few Mr Woodhouses habits and inclination being consulted in every
thing
The evening before this great event for it was a very great event that Mr
Woodhouse should dine out on the 24th of December had been spent by Harriet at
Hartfield and she had gone home so much indisposed with a cold that but for
her own earnest wish of being nursed by Mrs Goddard Emma could not have
allowed her to leave the house Emma called on her the next day and found her
doom already signed with regard to Randalls She was very feverish and had a bad
sorethroat Mrs Goddard was full of care and affection Mr Perry was talked
of and Harriet herself was too ill and low to resist the authority which
excluded her from this delightful engagement though she could not speak of her
loss without many tears
Emma sat with her as long as she could to attend her in Mrs Goddards
unavoidable absences and raise her spirits by representing how much Mr Eltons
would be depressed when he knew her state and left her at last tolerably
comfortable in the sweet dependence of his having a most comfortless visit and
of their all missing her very much She had not advanced many yards from Mrs
Goddards door when she was met by Mr Elton himself evidently coming towards
it and as they walked on slowly together in conversation about the invalid of
whom he on the rumour of considerable illness had been going to inquire that
he might carry some report of her to Hartfield they were overtaken by Mr John
Knightley returning from the daily visit to Donwell with his two eldest boys
whose healthy glowing faces shewed all the benefit of a country run and seemed
to ensure a quick dispatch of the roast mutton and rice pudding they were
hastening home for They joined company and proceeded together Emma was just
describing the nature of her friends complaint »a throat very much inflamed
with a great deal of heat about her a quick low pulse etc and she was sorry
to find from Mrs Goddard that Harriet was liable to very bad sorethroats and
had often alarmed her with them« Mr Elton looked all alarm on the occasion
as he exclaimed
»A sorethroat I hope not infectious I hope not of a putrid infectious
sort Has Perry seen her Indeed you should take care of yourself as well as of
your friend Let me entreat you to run no risks Why does not Perry see her«
Emma who was not really at all frightened herself tranquillized this
excess of apprehension by assurances of Mrs Goddards experience and care but
as there must still remain a degree of uneasiness which she could not wish to
reason away which she would rather feed and assist than not she added soon
afterwards as if quite another subject
»It is so cold so very cold and looks and feels so very much like snow
that if it were to any other place or with any other party I should really try
not to go out today and dissuade my father from venturing but as he has made
up his mind and does not seem to feel the cold himself I do not like to
interfere as I know it would be so great a disappointment to Mr and Mrs
Weston But upon my word Mr Elton in your case I should certainly excuse
myself You appear to me a little hoarse already and when you consider what
demand of voice and what fatigues tomorrow will bring I think it would be no
more than common prudence to stay at home and take care of yourself tonight«
Mr Elton looked as if he did not very well know what answer to make which
was exactly the case for though very much gratified by the kind care of such a
fair lady and not liking to resist any advice of hers he had not really the
least inclination to give up the visit but Emma too eager and busy in her
own previous conceptions and views to hear him impartially or see him with
clear vision was very well satisfied with his muttering acknowledgment of its
being »very cold certainly very cold« and walked on rejoicing in having
extricated himself from Randalls and secured him the power of sending to
inquire after Harriet every hour of the evening
»You do quite right« said she »We will make your apologies to Mr and
Mrs Weston«
But hardly had she so spoken when she found her brother was civilly
offering a seat in his carriage if the weather were Mr Eltons only objection
and Mr Elton actually accepting the offer with much prompt satisfaction It was
a done thing Mr Elton was to go and never had his broad handsome face
expressed more pleasure than at this moment never had his smile been stronger
nor his eyes more exulting than when he next looked at her
»Well« said she to herself »this is most strange After I had got him
off so well to chuse to go into company and leave Harriet ill behind Most
strange indeed But there is I believe in many men especially single men
such an inclination such a passion for dining out a dinner engagement is so
high in the class of their pleasures their employments their dignities almost
their duties that any thing gives way to it and this must be the case with
Mr Elton a most valuable amiable pleasing young man undoubtedly and very
much in love with Harriet but still he cannot refuse an invitation he must
dine out wherever he is asked What a strange thing love is he can see ready
wit in Harriet but will not dine alone for her«
Soon afterwards Mr Elton quitted them and she could not but do him the
justice of feeling that there was a great deal of sentiment in his manner of
naming Harriet at parting in the tone of his voice while assuring her that he
should call at Mrs Goddards for news of her fair friend the last thing before
he prepared for the happiness of meeting her again when he hoped to be able to
give a better report and he sighed and smiled himself off in a way that left
the balance of approbation much in his favour
After a few minutes of entire silence between them John Knightley began
with
»I never in my life saw a man more intent on being agreeable than Mr Elton
It is downright labour to him where ladies are concerned With men he can be
rational and unaffected but when he has ladies to please every feature works«
»Mr Eltons manners are not perfect« replied Emma »but where there is a
wish to please one ought to overlook and one does overlook a great deal Where
a man does his best with only moderate powers he will have the advantage over
negligent superiority There is such perfect good temper and good will in Mr
Elton as one cannot but value«
»Yes« said Mr John Knightley presently with some slyness »he seems to
have a great deal of goodwill towards you«
»Me« she replied with a smile of astonishment »are you imagining me to be
Mr Eltons object«
»Such an imagination has crossed me I own Emma and if it never occurred
to you before you may as well take it into consideration now«
»Mr Elton in love with me What an idea«
»I do not say it is so but you will do well to consider whether it is so or
not and to regulate your behaviour accordingly I think your manners to him
encouraging I speak as a friend Emma You had better look about you and
ascertain what you do and what you mean to do«
»I thank you but I assure you you are quite mistaken Mr Elton and I are
very good friends and nothing more« and she walked on amusing herself in the
consideration of the blunders which often arise from a partial knowledge of
circumstances of the mistakes which people of high pretensions to judgment are
for ever falling into and not very well pleased with her brother for imagining
her blind and ignorant and in want of counsel He said no more
Mr Woodhouse had so completely made up his mind to the visit that in spite
of the increasing coldness he seemed to have no idea of shrinking from it and
set forward at last most punctually with his eldest daughter in his own
carriage with less apparent consciousness of the weather than either of the
others too full of the wonder of his own going and the pleasure it was to
afford at Randalls to see that it was cold and too well wrapt up to feel it
The cold however was severe and by the time the second carriage was in
motion a few flakes of snow were finding their way down and the sky had the
appearance of being so overcharged as to want only a milder air to produce a
very white world in a very short time
Emma soon saw that her companion was not in the happiest humour The
preparing and the going abroad in such weather with the sacrifice of his
children after dinner were evils were disagreeables at least which Mr John
Knightley did not by any means like he anticipated nothing in the visit that
could be at all worth the purchase and the whole of their drive to the Vicarage
was spent by him in expressing his discontent
»A man« said he »must have a very good opinion of himself when he asks
people to leave their own fireside and encounter such a day as this for the
sake of coming to see him He must think himself a most agreeable fellow I
could not do such a thing It is the greatest absurdity Actually snowing at
this moment The folly of not allowing people to be comfortable at home and
the folly of peoples not staying comfortably at home when they can If we were
obliged to go out such an evening as this by any call of duty or business what
a hardship we should deem it and here are we probably with rather thinner
clothing than usual setting forward voluntarily without excuse in defiance of
the voice of nature, which tells man in every thing given to his view or his
feelings to stay at home himself and keep all under shelter that he can
here are we setting forward to spend five dull hours in another mans house
with nothing to say or to hear that was not said and heard yesterday and may
not be said and heard again tomorrow Going in dismal weather to return
probably in worse four horses and four servants taken out for nothing but to
convey five idle shivering creatures into colder rooms and worse company than
they might have had at home«
Emma did not find herself equal to give the pleased assent which no doubt
he was in the habit of receiving to emulate the »Very true my love« which
must have been usually administered by his travelling companion but she had
resolution enough to refrain from making any answer at all She could not be
complying she dreaded being quarrelsome her heroism reached only to silence
She allowed him to talk and arranged the glasses and wrapped herself up
without opening her lips
They arrived the carriage turned the step was let down and Mr Elton
spruce black and smiling was with them instantly Emma thought with pleasure
of some change of subject Mr Elton was all obligation and cheerfulness he was
so very cheerful in his civilities indeed that she began to think he must have
received a different account of Harriet from what had reached her She had sent
while dressing and the answer had been »Much the same not better«
»My report from Mrs Goddards« said she presently »was not so pleasant as
I had hoped Not better was my answer«
His face lengthened immediately and his voice was the voice of sentiment as
he answered
»Oh no I am grieved to find I was on the point of telling you that when
I called at Mrs Goddards door which I did the very last thing before I
returned to dress I was told that Miss Smith was not better by no means
better rather worse Very much grieved and concerned I had flattered myself
that she must be better after such a cordial as I knew had been given in the
morning«
Emma smiled and answered »My visit was of use to the nervous part of her
complaint I hope but not even I can charm away a sore throat it is a most
severe cold indeed Mr Perry has been with her as you probably heard«
»Yes I imagined that is I did not«
»He has been used to her in these complaints and I hope tomorrow morning
will bring us both a more comfortable report But it is impossible not to feel
uneasiness Such a sad loss to our party today«
»Dreadful Exactly so indeed She will be missed every moment«
This was very proper the sigh which accompanied it was really estimable
but it should have lasted longer Emma was rather in dismay when only half a
minute afterwards he began to speak of other things and in a voice of the
greatest alacrity and enjoyment
»What an excellent device« said he »the use of a sheepskin for carriages
How very comfortable they make it impossible to feel cold with such
precautions The contrivances of modern days indeed have rendered a gentlemans
carriage perfectly complete One is so fenced and guarded from the weather that
not a breath of air can find its way unpermitted Weather becomes absolutely of
no consequence It is a very cold afternoon but in this carriage we know
nothing of the matter Ha snows a little I see«
»Yes« said John Knightley »and I think we shall have a good deal of it«
»Christmas weather« observed Mr Elton »Quite seasonable and extremely
fortunate we may think ourselves that it did not begin yesterday and prevent
this days party which it might very possibly have done for Mr Woodhouse
would hardly have ventured had there been much snow on the ground but now it is
of no consequence This is quite the season indeed for friendly meetings At
Christmas every body invites their friends about them and people think little
of even the worst weather I was snowed up at a friends house once for a week
Nothing could be pleasanter I went for only one night and could not get away
till that very day sennight«
Mr John Knightley looked as if he did not comprehend the pleasure but said
only coolly
»I cannot wish to be snowed up a week at Randalls«
At another time Emma might have been amused but she was too much astonished
now at Mr Eltons spirits for other feelings Harriet seemed quite forgotten in
the expectation of a pleasant party
»We are sure of excellent fires« continued he »and every thing in the
greatest comfort Charming people Mr and Mrs Weston Mrs Weston indeed is
much beyond praise and he is exactly what one values so hospitable and so
fond of society it will be a small party but where small parties are select
they are perhaps the most agreeable of any Mr Westons diningroom does not
accommodate more than ten comfortably and for my part I would rather under
such circumstances fall short by two than exceed by two I think you will agree
with me turning with a soft air to Emma I think I shall certainly have your
approbation though Mr Knightley perhaps from being used to the large parties
of London may not quite enter into our feelings«
»I know nothing of the large parties of London sir I never dine with any
body«
»Indeed in a tone of wonder and pity I had no idea that the law had been
so great a slavery Well sir the time must come when you will be paid for all
this when you will have little labour and great enjoyment«
»My first enjoyment« replied John Knightley as they passed through the
sweepgate »will be to find myself safe at Hartfield again«
Chapter XIV
Some change of countenance was necessary for each gentleman as they walked into
Mrs Westons drawingroom Mr Elton must compose his joyous looks and Mr
John Knightley disperse his illhumour Mr Elton must smile less and Mr John
Knightley more to fit them for the place Emma only might be as nature
prompted and shew herself just as happy as she was To her it was real
enjoyment to be with the Westons Mr Weston was a great favourite and there
was not a creature in the world to whom she spoke with such unreserve as to his
wife not any one to whom she related with such conviction of being listened to
and understood of being always interesting and always intelligible the little
affairs arrangements perplexities and pleasures of her father and herself She
could tell nothing of Hartfield in which Mrs Weston had not a lively concern
and half an hours uninterrupted communication of all those little matters on
which the daily happiness of private life depends was one of the first
gratifications of each
This was a pleasure which perhaps the whole days visit might not afford
which certainly did not belong to the present half hour but the very sight of
Mrs Weston her smile her touch her voice was grateful to Emma and she
determined to think as little as possible of Mr Eltons oddities or of any
thing else unpleasant and enjoy all that was enjoyable to the utmost
The misfortune of Harriets cold had been pretty well gone through before
her arrival Mr Woodhouse had been safely seated long enough to give the
history of it besides all the history of his own and Isabellas coming and of
Emmas being to follow and had indeed just got to the end of his satisfaction
that James should come and see his daughter when the others appeared and Mrs
Weston who had been almost wholly engrossed by her attentions to him was able
to turn away and welcome her dear Emma
Emmas project of forgetting Mr Elton for a while made her rather sorry to
find when they had all taken their places that he was close to her The
difficulty was great of driving his strange insensibility towards Harriet from
her mind while he not only sat at her elbow but was continually obtruding his
happy countenance on her notice and solicitously addressing her upon every
occasion Instead of forgetting him his behaviour was such that she could not
avoid the internal suggestion of »Can it really be as my brother imagined can
it be possible for this man to be beginning to transfer his affections from
Harriet to me Absurd and insufferable« Yet he would be so anxious for her
being perfectly warm would be so interested about her father and so delighted
with Mrs Weston and at last would begin admiring her drawings with so much
zeal and so little knowledge as seemed terribly like a wouldbe lover and made
it some effort with her to preserve her good manners For her own sake she could
not be rude and for Harriets in the hope that all would yet turn out right
she was even positively civil but it was an effort especially as something was
going on amongst the others in the most overpowering period of Mr Eltons
nonsense which she particularly wished to listen to She heard enough to know
that Mr Weston was giving some information about his son she heard the words
my son and Frank and my son repeated several times over and from a few other
halfsyllables very much suspected that he was announcing an early visit from
his son but before she could quiet Mr Elton the subject was so completely
past that any reviving question from her would have been awkward
Now it so happened that in spite of Emmas resolution of never marrying
there was something in the name in the idea of Mr Frank Churchill which
always interested her She had frequently thought especially since his
fathers marriage with Miss Taylor that if she were to marry he was the very
person to suit her in age character and condition He seemed by this connection
between the families quite to belong to her She could not but suppose it to be
a match that every body who knew them must think of That Mr and Mrs Weston
did think of it she was very strongly persuaded and though not meaning to be
induced by him or by any body else to give up a situation which she believed
more replete with good than any she could change it for she had a great
curiosity to see him a decided intention of finding him pleasant of being
liked by him to a certain degree and a sort of pleasure in the idea of their
being coupled in their friends imaginations
With such sensations Mr Eltons civilities were dreadfully illtimed but
she had the comfort of appearing very polite while feeling very cross and of
thinking that the rest of the visit could not possibly pass without bringing
forward the same information again or the substance of it from the
openhearted Mr Weston So it proved for when happily released from Mr
Elton and seated by Mr Weston at dinner he made use of the very first
interval in the cares of hospitality the very first leisure from the saddle of
mutton to say to her
»We want only two more to be just the right number I should like to see two
more here your pretty little friend Miss Smith and my son and then I
should say we were quite complete I believe you did not hear me telling the
others in the drawingroom that we are expecting Frank I had a letter from him
this morning and he will be with us within a fortnight«
Emma spoke with a very proper degree of pleasure and fully assented to his
proposition of Mr Frank Churchill and Miss Smith making their party quite
complete
»He has been wanting to come to us« continued Mr Weston »ever since
September every letter has been full of it but he cannot command his own time
He has those to please who must be pleased and who between ourselves are
sometimes to be pleased only by a good many sacrifices But now I have no doubt
of seeing him here about the second week in January«
»What a very great pleasure it will be to you and Mrs Weston is so anxious
to be acquainted with him that she must be almost as happy as yourself«
»Yes she would be but that she thinks there will be another putoff She
does not depend upon his coming so much as I do but she does not know the
parties so well as I do The case you see is but this is quite between
ourselves I did not mention a syllable of it in the other room There are
secrets in all families you know The case is that a party of friends are
invited to pay a visit at Enscombe in January and that Franks coming depends
upon their being put off If they are not put off he cannot stir But I know
they will because it is a family that a certain lady of some consequence at
Enscombe has a particular dislike to and though it is thought necessary to
invite them once in two or three years they always are put off when it comes to
the point I have not the smallest doubt of the issue I am as confident of
seeing Frank here before the middle of January as I am of being here myself
but your good friend there nodding towards the upper end of the table has so
few vagaries herself and has been so little used to them at Hartfield that she
cannot calculate on their effects as I have been long in the practice of
doing«
»I am sorry there should be any thing like doubt in the case« replied Emma
»but am disposed to side with you Mr Weston If you think he will come I
shall think so too for you know Enscombe«
»Yes I have some right to that knowledge though I have never been at the
place in my life She is an odd woman But I never allow myself to speak ill
of her on Franks account for I do believe her to be very fond of him I used
to think she was not capable of being fond of any body except herself but she
has always been kind to him in her way allowing for little whims and
caprices and expecting every thing to be as she likes And it is no small
credit in my opinion to him that he should excite such an affection for
though I would not say it to any body else she has no more heart than a stone
to people in general and the devil of a temper«
Emma liked the subject so well that she began upon it to Mrs Weston very
soon after their moving into the drawingroom wishing her joy yet observing
that she knew the first meeting must be rather alarming Mrs Weston agreed to
it but added that she should be very glad to be secure of undergoing the
anxiety of a first meeting at the time talked of »for I cannot depend upon his
coming I cannot be so sanguine as Mr Weston I am very much afraid that it
will all end in nothing Mr Weston I dare say has been telling you exactly
how the matter stands«
»Yes it seems to depend upon nothing but the illhumour of Mrs Churchill
which I imagine to be the most certain thing in the world«
»My Emma« replied Mrs Weston smiling »what is the certainty of caprice«
Then turning to Isabella who had not been attending before »You must know my
dear Mrs Knightley that we are by no means so sure of seeing Mr Frank
Churchill in my opinion as his father thinks It depends entirely upon his
aunts spirits and pleasure in short upon her temper To you to my two
daughters I may venture on the truth Mrs Churchill rules at Enscombe and is
a very oddtempered woman and his coming now depends upon her being willing to
spare him«
»Oh Mrs Churchill every body knows Mrs Churchill« replied Isabella
»and I am sure I never think of that poor young man without the greatest
compassion To be constantly living with an illtempered person must be
dreadful It is what we happily have never known any thing of but it must be a
life of misery What a blessing that she never had any children Poor little
creatures how unhappy she would have made them«
Emma wished she had been alone with Mrs Weston She should then have heard
more Mrs Weston would speak to her with a degree of unreserve which she would
not hazard with Isabella and she really believed would scarcely try to
conceal any thing relative to the Churchills from her excepting those views on
the young man of which her own imagination had already given her such
instinctive knowledge But at present there was nothing more to be said Mr
Woodhouse very soon followed them into the drawingroom To be sitting long
after dinner was a confinement that he could not endure Neither wine nor
conversation was any thing to him and gladly did he move to those with whom he
was always comfortable
While he talked to Isabella however Emma found an opportunity of saying
»And so you do not consider this visit from your son as by any means
certain I am sorry for it The introduction must be unpleasant whenever it
takes place; and the sooner it could be over the better«
»Yes and every delay makes one more apprehensive of other delays Even if
this family the Braithwaites are put off I am still afraid that some excuse
may be found for disappointing us I cannot bear to imagine any reluctance on
his side but I am sure there is a great wish on the Churchills to keep him to
themselves There is jealousy They are jealous even of his regard for his
father In short I can feel no dependence on his coming and I wish Mr Weston
were less sanguine«
»He ought to come« said Emma »If he could stay only a couple of days he
ought to come and one can hardly conceive a young mans not having it in his
power to do as much as that A young woman if she fall into bad hands may be
teazed and kept at a distance from those she wants to be with but one cannot
comprehend a young mans being under such restraint as not to be able to spend
a week with his father if he likes it«
»One ought to be at Enscombe and know the ways of the family before one
decides upon what he can do« replied Mrs Weston »One ought to use the same
caution perhaps in judging of the conduct of any one individual of any one
family but Enscombe I believe certainly must not be judged by general rules
she is so very unreasonable and every thing gives way to her«
»But she is so fond of the nephew he is so very great a favourite Now
according to my idea of Mrs Churchill it would be most natural that while she
makes no sacrifice for the comfort of the husband to whom she owes every thing
while she exercises incessant caprice towards him she should frequently be
governed by the nephew to whom she owes nothing at all«
»My dearest Emma do not pretend with your sweet temper to understand a
bad one or to lay down rules for it you must let it go its own way I have no
doubt of his having at times considerable influence but it may be perfectly
impossible for him to know beforehand when it will be«
Emma listened and then coolly said »I shall not be satisfied unless he
comes«
»He may have a great deal of influence on some points« continued Mrs
Weston »and on others very little and among those on which she is beyond his
reach it is but too likely may be this very circumstance of his coming away
from them to visit us«
Chapter XV
Mr Woodhouse was soon ready for his tea and when he had drank his tea he was
quite ready to go home and it was as much as his three companions could do to
entertain away his notice of the lateness of the hour before the other
gentlemen appeared Mr Weston was chatty and convivial and no friend to early
separations of any sort but at last the drawingroom party did receive an
augmentation Mr Elton in very good spirits was one of the first to walk in
Mrs Weston and Emma were sitting together on a sopha He joined them
immediately and with scarcely an invitation seated himself between them
Emma in good spirits too from the amusement afforded her mind by the
expectation of Mr Frank Churchill was willing to forget his late
improprieties and be as well satisfied with him as before and on his making
Harriet his very first subject was ready to listen with most friendly smiles
He professed himself extremely anxious about her fair friend her fair
lovely amiable friend »Did she know had she heard any thing about her
since their being at Randalls he felt much anxiety he must confess that the
nature of her complaint alarmed him considerably« And in this style he talked
on for some time very properly not much attending to any answer but altogether
sufficiently awake to the terror of a bad sore throat and Emma was quite in
charity with him
But at last there seemed a perverse turn it seemed all at once as if he
were more afraid of its being a bad sore throat on her account than on
Harriets more anxious that she should escape the infection than that there
should be no infection in the complaint He began with great earnestness to
entreat her to refrain from visiting the sick chamber again for the present
to entreat her to promise him not to venture into such hazard till he had seen
Mr Perry and learnt his opinion and though she tried to laugh it off and bring
the subject back into its proper course there was no putting an end to his
extreme solicitude about her She was vexed It did appear there was no
concealing it exactly like the pretence of being in love with her instead of
Harriet an inconstancy if real the most contemptible and abominable and she
had difficulty in behaving with temper He turned to Mrs Weston to implore her
assistance »Would not she give him her support would not she add her
persuasions to his to induce Miss Woodhouse not to go to Mrs Goddards till
it were certain that Miss Smiths disorder had no infection He could not be
satisfied without a promise would not she give him her influence in procuring
it«
»So scrupulous for others« he continued »and yet so careless for herself
She wanted me to nurse my cold by staying at home today and yet will not
promise to avoid the danger of catching an ulcerated sore throat herself Is
this fair Mrs Weston Judge between us Have not I some right to complain I
am sure of your kind support and aid«
Emma saw Mrs Westons surprize and felt that it must be great at an
address which in words and manner was assuming to himself the right of first
interest in her and as for herself she was too much provoked and offended to
have the power of directly saying any thing to the purpose She could only give
him a look but it was such a look as she thought must restore him to his
senses and then left the sopha removing to a seat by her sister and giving
her all her attention
She had not time to know how Mr Elton took the reproof so rapidly did
another subject succeed for Mr John Knightley now came into the room from
examining the weather and opened on them all with the information of the ground
being covered with snow and of its still snowing fast with a strong drifting
wind concluding with these words to Mr Woodhouse
»This will prove a spirited beginning of your winter engagements sir
Something new for your coachman and horses to be making their way through a
storm of snow«
Poor Mr Woodhouse was silent from consternation but every body else had
something to say every body was either surprized or not surprized and had some
question to ask or some comfort to offer Mrs Weston and Emma tried earnestly
to cheer him and turn his attention from his soninlaw who was pursuing his
triumph rather unfeelingly
»I admired your resolution very much sir« said he »in venturing out in
such weather for of course you saw there would be snow very soon Every body
must have seen the snow coming on I admired your spirit and I dare say we
shall get home very well Another hour or twos snow can hardly make the road
impassable and we are two carriages if one is blown over in the bleak part of
the common field there will be the other at hand I dare say we shall be all
safe at Hartfield before midnight«
Mr Weston with triumph of a different sort was confessing that he had
known it to be snowing some time but had not said a word lest it should make
Mr Woodhouse uncomfortable and be an excuse for his hurrying away As to there
being any quantity of snow fallen or likely to fall to impede their return that
was a mere joke he was afraid they would find no difficulty He wished the road
might be impassable that he might be able to keep them all at Randalls and
with the utmost goodwill was sure that accommodation might be found for every
body calling on his wife to agree with him that with a little contrivance
every body might be lodged which she hardly knew how to do from the
consciousness of there being but two spare rooms in the house
»What is to be done my dear Emma what is to be done« was Mr
Woodhouses first exclamation and all that he could say for some time To her
he looked for comfort and her assurances of safety her representation of the
excellence of the horses and of James and of their having so many friends
about them revived him a little
His eldest daughters alarm was equal to his own The horror of being
blocked up at Randalls while her children were at Hartfield was full in her
imagination and fancying the road to be now just passable for adventurous
people but in a state that admitted no delay she was eager to have it settled
that her father and Emma should remain at Randalls while she and her husband
set forward instantly through all the possible accumulations of drifted snow
that might impede them
»You had better order the carriage directly my love« said she »I dare say
we shall be able to get along if we set off directly and if we do come to any
thing very bad I can get out and walk I am not at all afraid I should not
mind walking half the way I could change my shoes you know the moment I got
home and it is not the sort of thing that gives me cold«
»Indeed« replied he »Then my dear Isabella it is the most extraordinary
sort of thing in the world for in general every thing does give you cold Walk
home you are prettily shod for walking home I dare say It will be bad
enough for the horses«
Isabella turned to Mrs Weston for her approbation of the plan Mrs Weston
could only approve Isabella then went to Emma but Emma could not so entirely
give up the hope of their being all able to get away and they were still
discussing the point when Mr Knightley who had left the room immediately
after his brothers first report of the snow came back again and told them
that he had been out of doors to examine and could answer for there not being
the smallest difficulty in their getting home whenever they liked it either
now or an hour hence He had gone beyond the sweep some way along the Highbury
road the snow was no where above half an inch deep in many places hardly
enough to whiten the ground a very few flakes were falling at present but the
clouds were parting and there was every appearance of its being soon over He
had seen the coachmen and they both agreed with him in there being nothing to
apprehend
To Isabella the relief of such tidings was very great and they were
scarcely less acceptable to Emma on her fathers account who was immediately
set as much at ease on the subject as his nervous constitution allowed but the
alarm that had been raised could not be appeased so as to admit of any comfort
for him while he continued at Randalls He was satisfied of there being no
present danger in returning home but no assurances could convince him that it
was safe to stay and while the others were variously urging and recommending
Mr Knightley and Emma settled it in a few brief sentences thus
»Your father will not be easy why do not you go«
»I am ready if the others are«
»Shall I ring the bell«
»Yes do«
And the bell was rung and the carriages spoken for A few minutes more
and Emma hoped to see one troublesome companion deposited in his own house to
get sober and cool and the other recover his temper and happiness when this
visit of hardship were over
The carriages came and Mr Woodhouse always the first object on such
occasions was carefully attended to his own by Mr Knightley and Mr Weston
but not all that either could say could prevent some renewal of alarm at the
sight of the snow which had actually fallen and the discovery of a much darker
night than he had been prepared for »He was afraid they should have a very bad
drive He was afraid poor Isabella would not like it And there would be poor
Emma in the carriage behind He did not know what they had best do They must
keep as much together as they could« and James was talked to and given a
charge to go very slow and wait for the other carriage
Isabella stept in after her father John Knightley forgetting that he did
not belong to their party stept in after his wife very naturally so that Emma
found on being escorted and followed into the second carriage by Mr Elton
that the door was to be lawfully shut on them and that they were to have a
têteàtête drive It would not have been the awkwardness of a moment it would
have been rather a pleasure previous to the suspicions of this very day she
could have talked to him of Harriet and the threequarters of a mile would have
seemed but one But now she would rather it had not happened She believed he
had been drinking too much of Mr Westons good wine and felt sure that he
would want to be talking nonsense
To restrain him as much as might be by her own manners she was immediately
preparing to speak with exquisite calmness and gravity of the weather and the
night but scarcely had she begun scarcely had they passed the sweepgate and
joined the other carriage than she found her subject cut up her hand seized
her attention demanded and Mr Elton actually making violent love to her
availing himself of the precious opportunity declaring sentiments which must be
already well known hoping fearing adoring ready to die if she refused
him but flattering himself that his ardent attachment and unequalled love and
unexampled passion could not fail of having some effect and in short very much
resolved on being seriously accepted as soon as possible It really was so
Without scruple without apology without much apparent diffidence Mr Elton
the lover of Harriet was professing himself her lover She tried to stop him
but vainly he would go on and say it all Angry as she was the thought of the
moment made her resolve to restrain herself when she did speak She felt that
half this folly must be drunkenness and therefore could hope that it might
belong only to the passing hour Accordingly with a mixture of the serious and
the playful which she hoped would best suit his half and half state she
replied
»I am very much astonished Mr Elton This to me you forget yourself you
take me for my friend any message to Miss Smith I shall be happy to deliver
but no more of this to me if you please«
»Miss Smith Message to Miss Smith What could she possibly mean« And
he repeated her words with such assurance of accent such boastful pretence of
amazement that she could not help replying with quickness
»Mr Elton this is the most extraordinary conduct and I can account for it
only in one way you are not yourself or you could not speak either to me or
of Harriet in such a manner Command yourself enough to say no more and I will
endeavour to forget it«
But Mr Elton had only drunk wine enough to elevate his spirits not at all
to confuse his intellects He perfectly knew his own meaning and having warmly
protested against her suspicion as most injurious and slightly touched upon his
respect for Miss Smith as her friend but acknowledging his wonder that Miss
Smith should be mentioned at all he resumed the subject of his own passion
and was very urgent for a favourable answer
As she thought less of his inebriety she thought more of his inconstancy
and presumption and with fewer struggles for politeness replied
»It is impossible for me to doubt any longer You have made yourself too
clear Mr Elton my astonishment is much beyond any thing I can express After
such behaviour as I have witnessed during the last month to Miss Smith such
attentions as I have been in the daily habit of observing to be addressing me
in this manner this is an unsteadiness of character indeed which I had not
supposed possible Believe me sir I am far very far from gratified in being
the object of such professions«
»Good heaven« cried Mr Elton »what can be the meaning of this Miss
Smith I never thought of Miss Smith in the whole course of my existence
never paid her any attentions but as your friend never cared whether she were
dead or alive but as your friend If she has fancied otherwise her own wishes
have misled her and I am very sorry extremely sorry But Miss Smith
indeed Oh Miss Woodhouse who can think of Miss Smith when Miss Woodhouse
is near No upon my honour there is no unsteadiness of character I have
thought only of you I protest against having paid the smallest attention to any
one else Every thing that I have said or done for many weeks past has been
with the sole view of marking my adoration of yourself You cannot really
seriously doubt it No in an accent meant to be insinuating I am sure
you have seen and understood me«
It would be impossible to say what Emma felt on hearing this which of all
her unpleasant sensations was uppermost She was too completely overpowered to
be immediately able to reply and two moments of silence being ample
encouragement for Mr Eltons sanguine state of mind he tried to take her hand
again as he joyously exclaimed
»Charming Miss Woodhouse allow me to interpret this interesting silence It
confesses that you have long understood me«
»No sir« cried Emma »it confesses no such thing So far from having long
understood you I have been in a most complete error with respect to your views
till this moment As to myself I am very sorry that you should have been giving
way to any feelings Nothing could be farther from my wishes your attachment
to my friend Harriet your pursuit of her pursuit it appeared gave me
great pleasure and I have been very earnestly wishing you success but had I
supposed that she were not your attraction to Hartfield I should certainly have
thought you judged ill in making your visits so frequent Am I to believe that
you have never sought to recommend yourself particularly to Miss Smith that
you have never thought seriously of her«
»Never madam« cried he affronted in his turn »never I assure you I
think seriously of Miss Smith Miss Smith is a very good sort of girl and I
should be happy to see her respectably settled I wish her extremely well and
no doubt there are men who might not object to Every body has their level
but as for myself I am not I think quite so much at a loss I need not so
totally despair of an equal alliance as to be addressing myself to Miss Smith
No madam my visits to Hartfield have been for yourself only and the
encouragement I received«
»Encouragement I give you encouragement sir you have been entirely
mistaken in supposing it I have seen you only as the admirer of my friend In
no other light could you have been more to me than a common acquaintance I am
exceedingly sorry but it is well that the mistake ends where it does Had the
same behaviour continued Miss Smith might have been led into a misconception of
your views not being aware probably any more than myself of the very great
inequality which you are so sensible of But as it is the disappointment is
single and I trust will not be lasting I have no thoughts of matrimony at
present«
He was too angry to say another word her manner too decided to invite
supplication and in this state of swelling resentment and mutually deep
mortification they had to continue together a few minutes longer for the fears
of Mr Woodhouse had confined them to a foot pace If there had not been so much
anger there would have been desperate awkwardness but their straightforward
emotions left no room for the little zigzags of embarrassment Without knowing
when the carriage turned into Vicaragelane or when it stopped they found
themselves all at once at the door of his house and he was out before another
syllable passed Emma then felt it indispensable to wish him a good night The
compliment was just returned coldly and proudly and under indescribable
irritation of spirits she was then conveyed to Hartfield
There she was welcomed with the utmost delight by her father who had been
trembling for the dangers of a solitary drive from Vicaragelane turning a
corner which he could never bear to think of and in strange hands a mere
common coachman no James and there it seemed as if her return only were
wanted to make every thing go well for Mr John Knightley ashamed of his
illhumour was now all kindness and attention and so particularly solicitous
for the comfort of her father as to seem if not quite ready to join him in a
basin of gruel perfectly sensible of its being exceedingly wholesome and the
day was concluding in peace and comfort to all their little party except
herself But her mind had never been in such perturbation and it needed a
very strong effort to appear attentive and cheerful till the usual hour of
separating allowed her the relief of quiet reflection
Chapter XVI
The hair was curled and the maid sent away and Emma sat down to think and be
miserable It was a wretched business indeed Such an overthrow of every
thing she had been wishing for Such a development of every thing most
unwelcome Such a blow for Harriet That was the worst of all Every part of
it brought pain and humiliation of some sort or other but compared with the
evil to Harriet all was light and she would gladly have submitted to feel yet
more mistaken more in error more disgraced by misjudgment than she
actually was could the effects of her blunders have been confined to herself
»If I had not persuaded Harriet into liking the man I could have born any
thing. He might have doubled his presumption to me But poor Harriet«
How she could have been so deceived He protested that he had never
thought seriously of Harriet never She looked back as well as she could but
it was all confusion She had taken up the idea she supposed and made every
thing bend to it His manners however must have been unmarked wavering
dubious or she could not have been so misled
The picture How eager he had been about the picture and the charade
and an hundred other circumstances how clearly they had seemed to point at
Harriet To be sure the charade with its ready wit but then the soft eyes
in fact it suited neither it was a jumble without taste or truth Who could
have seen through such thickheaded nonsense
Certainly she had often especially of late thought his manners to herself
unnecessarily gallant but it had passed as his way as a mere error of
judgment of knowledge, of taste as one proof among others that he had not
always lived in the best society that with all the gentleness of his address
true elegance was sometimes wanting but till this very day she had never for
an instant suspected it to mean any thing but grateful respect to her as
Harriets friend
To Mr John Knightley was she indebted for her first idea on the subject
for the first start of its possibility There was no denying that those brothers
had penetration She remembered what Mr Knightley had once said to her about
Mr Elton the caution he had given the conviction he had professed that Mr
Elton would never marry indiscreetly and blushed to think how much truer a
knowledge of his character had been there shewn than any she had reached
herself It was dreadfully mortifying but Mr Elton was proving himself in
many respects the very reverse of what she had meant and believed him proud
assuming conceited very full of his own claims and little concerned about the
feelings of others
Contrary to the usual course of things Mr Eltons wanting to pay his
addresses to her had sunk him in her opinion His professions and his proposals
did him no service She thought nothing of his attachment and was insulted by
his hopes He wanted to marry well and having the arrogance to raise his eyes
to her pretended to be in love but she was perfectly easy as to his not
suffering any disappointment that need be cared for There had been no real
affection either in his language or manners Sighs and fine words had been given
in abundance but she could hardly devise any set of expressions or fancy any
tone of voice less allied with real love She need not trouble herself to pity
him He only wanted to aggrandize and enrich himself and if Miss Woodhouse of
Hartfield the heiress of thirty thousand pounds were not quite so easily
obtained as he had fancied he would soon try for Miss Somebody else with
twenty or with ten
But that he should talk of encouragement should consider her as aware of
his views accepting his attentions meaning in short to marry him should
suppose himself her equal in connection or mind look down upon her friend so
well understanding the gradations of rank below him and be so blind to what
rose above as to fancy himself shewing no presumption in addressing her It
was most provoking
Perhaps it was not fair to expect him to feel how very much he was her
inferior in talent and all the elegancies of mind The very want of such
equality might prevent his perception of it but he must know that in fortune
and consequence she was greatly his superior He must know that the Woodhouses
had been settled for several generations at Hartfield the younger branch of a
very ancient family and that the Eltons were nobody The landed property of
Hartfield certainly was inconsiderable being but a sort of notch in the Donwell
Abbey estate to which all the rest of Highbury belonged but their fortune
from other sources was such as to make them scarcely secondary to Donwell Abbey
itself in every other kind of consequence and the Woodhouses had long held a
high place in the consideration of the neighbourhood which Mr Elton had first
entered not two years ago to make his way as he could without any alliances
but in trade or any thing to recommend him to notice but his situation and his
civility But he had fancied her in love with him that evidently must have
been his dependence and after raving a little about the seeming incongruity of
gentle manners and a conceited head Emma was obliged in common honesty to stop
and admit that her own behaviour to him had been so complaisant and obliging so
full of courtesy and attention as supposing her real motive unperceived might
warrant a man of ordinary observation and delicacy like Mr Elton in fancying
himself a very decided favourite If she had so misinterpreted his feelings she
had little right to wonder that he with selfinterest to blind him should have
mistaken hers
The first error and the worst lay at her door It was foolish it was wrong
to take so active a part in bringing any two people together It was adventuring
too far assuming too much making light of what ought to be serious a trick of
what ought to be simple She was quite concerned and ashamed and resolved to do
such things no more
»Here have I« said she »actually talked poor Harriet into being very much
attached to this man She might never have thought of him but for me and
certainly never would have thought of him with hope if I had not assured her of
his attachment for she is as modest and humble as I used to think him Oh that
I had been satisfied with persuading her not to accept young Martin There I was
quite right That was well done of me but there I should have stopped and left
the rest to time and chance I was introducing her into good company and giving
her the opportunity of pleasing some one worth having I ought not to have
attempted more But now poor girl her peace is cut up for some time I have
been but half a friend to her and if she were not to feel this disappointment
so very much I am sure I have not an idea of any body else who would be at all
desirable for her William Coxe Oh no I could not endure William Coxe a
pert young lawyer«
She stopt to blush and laugh at her own relapse and then resumed a more
serious more dispiriting cogitation upon what had been and might be and must
be The distressing explanation she had to make to Harriet and all that poor
Harriet would be suffering with the awkwardness of future meetings the
difficulties of continuing or discontinuing the acquaintance of subduing
feelings concealing resentment and avoiding eclat were enough to occupy her
in most unmirthful reflections some time longer and she went to bed at last
with nothing settled but the conviction of her having blundered most dreadfully
To youth and natural cheerfulness like Emmas though under temporary gloom
at night the return of day will hardly fail to bring return of spirits The
youth and cheerfulness of morning are in happy analogy and of powerful
operation and if the distress be not poignant enough to keep the eyes unclosed
they will be sure to open to sensations of softened pain and brighter hope
Emma got up on the morrow more disposed for comfort than she had gone to
bed more ready to see alleviations of the evil before her and to depend on
getting tolerably out of it
It was a great consolation that Mr Elton should not be really in love with
her or so particularly amiable as to make it shocking to disappoint him that
Harriets nature should not be of that superior sort in which the feelings are
most acute and retentive and that there could be no necessity for any bodys
knowing what had passed except the three principals and especially for her
fathers being given a moments uneasiness about it
These were very cheering thoughts and the sight of a great deal of snow on
the ground did her further service for any thing was welcome that might justify
their all three being quite asunder at present
The weather was most favourable for her though Christmasday she could not
go to church Mr Woodhouse would have been miserable had his daughter attempted
it and she was therefore safe from either exciting or receiving unpleasant and
most unsuitable ideas The ground covered with snow and the atmosphere in that
unsettled state between frost and thaw which is of all others the most
unfriendly for exercise every morning beginning in rain or snow and every
evening setting in to freeze she was for many days a most honourable prisoner
No intercourse with Harriet possible but by note no church for her on Sunday
any more than on Christmasday and no need to find excuses for Mr Eltons
absenting himself
It was weather which might fairly confine every body at home and though she
hoped and believed him to be really taking comfort in some society or other it
was very pleasant to have her father so well satisfied with his being all alone
in his own house too wise to stir out and to hear him say to Mr Knightley
whom no weather could keep entirely from them
»Ah Mr Knightley why do not you stay at home like poor Mr Elton«
These days of confinement would have been but for her private perplexities
remarkably comfortable as such seclusion exactly suited her brother whose
feelings must always be of great importance to his companions and he had
besides so thoroughly cleared off his illhumour at Randalls that his
amiableness never failed him during the rest of his stay at Hartfield He was
always agreeable and obliging and speaking pleasantly of every body But with
all the hopes of cheerfulness and all the present comfort of delay there was
still such an evil hanging over her in the hour of explanation with Harriet as
made it impossible for Emma to be ever perfectly at ease
Chapter XVII
Mr and Mrs John Knightley were not detained long at Hartfield The weather
soon improved enough for those to move who must move and Mr Woodhouse having
as usual tried to persuade his daughter to stay behind with all her children
was obliged to see the whole party set off and return to his lamentations over
the destiny of poor Isabella which poor Isabella passing her life with those
she doated on full of their merits blind to their faults and always
innocently busy might have been a model of right feminine happiness
The evening of the very day on which they went brought a note from Mr
Elton to Mr Woodhouse a long civil ceremonious note to say with Mr
Eltons best compliments »that he was proposing to leave Highbury the following
morning in his way to Bath where in compliance with the pressing entreaties of
some friends he had engaged to spend a few weeks and very much regretted the
impossibility he was under from various circumstances of weather and business
of taking a personal leave of Mr Woodhouse of whose friendly civilities he
should ever retain a grateful sense and had Mr Woodhouse any commands
should be happy to attend to them«
Emma was most agreeably surprized Mr Eltons absence just at this time
was the very thing to be desired She admired him for contriving it though not
able to give him much credit for the manner in which it was announced
Resentment could not have been more plainly spoken than in a civility to her
father from which she was so pointedly excluded She had not even a share in
his opening compliments Her name was not mentioned and there was so
striking a change in all this and such an illjudged solemnity of leavetaking
in his grateful acknowledgments as she thought at first could not escape her
fathers suspicion
It did however Her father was quite taken up with the surprize of so
sudden a journey and his fears that Mr Elton might never get safely to the end
of it and saw nothing extraordinary in his language It was a very useful note
for it supplied them with fresh matter for thought and conversation during the
rest of their lonely evening Mr Woodhouse talked over his alarms and Emma was
in spirits to persuade them away with all her usual promptitude
She now resolved to keep Harriet no longer in the dark She had reason to
believe her nearly recovered from her cold and it was desirable that she should
have as much time as possible for getting the better of her other complaint
before the gentlemans return She went to Mrs Goddards accordingly the very
next day to undergo the necessary penance of communication and a severe one it
was She had to destroy all the hopes which she had been so industriously
feeding to appear in the ungracious character of the one preferred and
acknowledge herself grossly mistaken and misjudging in all her ideas on one
subject all her observations all her convictions all her prophesies for the
last six weeks
The confession completely renewed her first shame and the sight of
Harriets tears made her think that she should never be in charity with herself
again
Harriet bore the intelligence very wellblaming nobody and in every thing
testifying such an ingenuousness of disposition and lowly opinion of herself as
must appear with particular advantage at that moment to her friend
Emma was in the humour to value simplicity and modesty to the utmost and
all that was amiable all that ought to be attaching seemed on Harriets side
not her own Harriet did not consider herself as having any thing to complain
of The affection of such a man as Mr Elton would have been too great a
distinction She never could have deserved him and nobody but so partial and
kind a friend as Miss Woodhouse would have thought it possible
Her tears fell abundantly but her grief was so truly artless that no
dignity could have made it more respectable in Emmas eyes and she listened to
her and tried to console her with all her heart and understanding really for
the time convinced that Harriet was the superior creature of the two and that
to resemble her would be more for her own welfare and happiness than all that
genius or intelligence could do
It was rather too late in the day to set about being simpleminded and
ignorant but she left her with every previous resolution confirmed of being
humble and discreet and repressing imagination all the rest of her life Her
second duty now inferior only to her fathers claims was to promote Harriets
comfort and endeavour to prove her own affection in some better method than by
matchmaking She got her to Hartfield and shewed her the most unvarying
kindness striving to occupy and amuse her and by books and conversation to
drive Mr Elton from her thoughts
Time she knew must be allowed for this being thoroughly done and she
could suppose herself but an indifferent judge of such matters in general and
very inadequate to sympathize in an attachment to Mr Elton in particular but
it seemed to her reasonable that at Harriets age and with the entire
extinction of all hope such a progress might be made towards a state of
composure by the time of Mr Eltons return as to allow them all to meet again
in the common routine of acquaintance without any danger of betraying
sentiments or increasing them
Harriet did think him all perfection and maintain the nonexistence of any
body equal to him in person or goodness and did in truth prove herself more
resolutely in love than Emma had foreseen but yet it appeared to her so
natural so inevitable to strive against an inclination of that sort unrequited
that she could not comprehend its continuing very long in equal force
If Mr Elton on his return made his own indifference as evident and
indubitable as she could not doubt he would anxiously do she could not imagine
Harriets persisting to place her happiness in the sight or the recollection of
him
Their being fixed so absolutely fixed in the same place was bad for each
for all three Not one of them had the power of removal or of effecting any
material change of society They must encounter each other and make the best of
it
Harriet was further unfortunate in the tone of her companions at Mrs
Goddards Mr Elton being the adoration of all the teachers and great girls in
the school and it must be at Hartfield only that she could have any chance of
hearing him spoken of with cooling moderation or repellant truth Where the
wound had been given there must the cure be found if anywhere and Emma felt
that till she saw her in the way of cure there could be no true peace for
herself
Chapter XVIII
Mr Frank Churchill did not come When the time proposed drew near Mrs
Westons fears were justified in the arrival of a letter of excuse For the
present he could not be spared to his »very great mortification and regret
but still he looked forward with the hope of coming to Randalls at no distant
period«
Mrs Weston was exceedingly disappointed much more disappointed in fact
than her husband though her dependence on seeing the young man had been so much
more sober but a sanguine temper though for ever expecting more good than
occurs does not always pay for its hopes by any proportionate depression It
soon flies over the present failure and begins to hope again For half an hour
Mr Weston was surprized and sorry but then he began to perceive that Franks
coming two or three months later would be a much better plan better time of
year better weather and that he would be able without any doubt to stay
considerably longer with them than if he had come sooner
These feelings rapidly restored his comfort while Mrs Weston of a more
apprehensive disposition foresaw nothing but a repetition of excuses and
delays and after all her concern for what her husband was to suffer suffered a
great deal more herself
Emma was not at this time in a state of spirits to care really about Mr
Frank Churchills not coming except as a disappointment at Randalls The
acquaintance at present had no charm for her She wanted rather to be quiet
and out of temptation but still as it was desirable that she should appear in
general like her usual self she took care to express as much interest in the
circumstance and enter as warmly into Mr and Mrs Westons disappointment as
might naturally belong to their friendship
She was the first to announce it to Mr Knightley and exclaimed quite as
much as was necessary or being acting a part perhaps rather more at the
conduct of the Churchills in keeping him away She then proceeded to say a good
deal more than she felt of the advantage of such an addition to their confined
society in Surry the pleasure of looking at some body new the galaday to
Highbury entire which the sight of him would have made and ending with
reflections on the Churchills again found herself directly involved in a
disagreement with Mr Knightley and to her great amusement perceived that she
was taking the other side of the question from her real opinion and making use
of Mrs Westons arguments against herself
»The Churchills are very likely in fault« said Mr Knightley coolly »but
I dare say he might come if he would«
»I do not know why you should say so He wishes exceedingly to come but his
uncle and aunt will not spare him«
»I cannot believe that he has not the power of coming if he made a point of
it It is too unlikely for me to believe it without proof«
»How odd you are What has Mr Frank Churchill done to make you suppose him
such an unnatural creature«
»I am not supposing him at all an unnatural creature in suspecting that he
may have learnt to be above his connections and to care very little for any
thing but his own pleasure from living with those who have always set him the
example of it It is a great deal more natural than one could wish that a young
man brought up by those who are proud luxurious and selfish should be proud
luxurious and selfish too If Frank Churchill had wanted to see his father he
would have contrived it between September and January A man at his age what
is he three or fourandtwenty cannot be without the means of doing as much
as that It is impossible«
»Thats easily said and easily felt by you who have always been your own
master You are the worst judge in the world Mr Knightley of the difficulties
of dependence You do not know what it is to have tempers to manage«
»It is not to be conceived that a man of three or fourandtwenty should not
have liberty of mind or limb to that amount He cannot want money he cannot
want leisure We know on the contrary that he has so much of both that he is
glad to get rid of them at the idlest haunts in the kingdom We hear of him for
ever at some wateringplace or other A little while ago he was at Weymouth
This proves that he can leave the Churchills«
»Yes sometimes he can«
»And those times are whenever he thinks it worth his while whenever there
is any temptation of pleasure«
»It is very unfair to judge of any bodys conduct without an intimate
knowledge of their situation Nobody who has not been in the interior of a
family can say what the difficulties of any individual of that family may be
We ought to be acquainted with Enscombe and with Mrs Churchills temper
before we pretend to decide upon what her nephew can do He may at times be
able to do a great deal more than he can at others«
»There is one thing Emma which a man can always do if he chuses and that
is his duty not by manoeuvring and finessing but by vigour and resolution It
is Frank Churchills duty to pay this attention to his father He knows it to be
so by his promises and messages but if he wished to do it it might be done A
man who felt rightly would say at once simply and resolutely to Mrs Churchill
Every sacrifice of mere pleasure you will always find me ready to make to your
convenience but I must go and see my father immediately I know he would be
hurt by my failing in such a mark of respect to him on the present occasion I
shall therefore set off tomorrow If he would say so to her at once in the
tone of decision becoming a man there would be no opposition made to his
going«
»No« said Emma laughing »but perhaps there might be some made to his
coming back again Such language for a young man entirely dependent to use
Nobody but you Mr Knightley would imagine it possible But you have not an
idea of what is requisite in situations directly opposite to your own Mr Frank
Churchill to be making such a speech as that to the uncle and aunt who have
brought him up and are to provide for him Standing up in the middle of the
room I suppose and speaking as loud as he could How can you imagine such
conduct practicable«
»Depend upon it Emma a sensible man would find no difficulty in it He
would feel himself in the right and the declaration made of course as a man
of sense would make it in a proper manner would do him more good raise him
higher fix his interest stronger with the people he depended on than all that
a line of shifts and expedients can ever do Respect would be added to
affection They would feel that they could trust him that the nephew who had
done rightly by his father would do rightly by them for they know as well as
he does as well as all the world must know that he ought to pay this visit to
his father and while meanly exerting their power to delay it are in their
hearts not thinking the better of him for submitting to their whims Respect for
right conduct is felt by every body If he would act in this sort of manner on
principle consistently regularly their little minds would bend to his«
»I rather doubt that You are very fond of bending little minds but where
little minds belong to rich people in authority I think they have a knack of
swelling out till they are quite as unmanageable as great ones I can imagine
that if you as you are Mr Knightley were to be transported and placed all at
once in Mr Frank Churchills situation you would be able to say and do just
what you have been recommending for him and it might have a very good effect
The Churchills might not have a word to say in return but then you would have
no habits of early obedience and long observance to break through To him who
has it might not be so easy to burst forth at once into perfect independence
and set all their claims on his gratitude and regard at nought He may have as
strong a sense of what would be right as you can have without being so equal
under particular circumstances to act up to it«
»Then it would not be so strong a sense If it failed to produce equal
exertion it could not be an equal conviction«
»Oh the difference of situation and habit I wish you would try to
understand what an amiable young man may be likely to feel in directly opposing
those whom as child and boy he has been looking up to all his life«
»Your amiable young man is a very weak young man if this be the first
occasion of his carrying through a resolution to do right against the will of
others It ought to have been an habit with him by this time of following his
duty instead of consulting expediency I can allow for the fears of the child
but not of the man As he became rational he ought to have roused himself and
shaken off all that was unworthy in their authority He ought to have opposed
the first attempt on their side to make him slight his father Had he begun as
he ought there would have been no difficulty now«
»We shall never agree about him« cried Emma »but that is nothing
extraordinary I have not the least idea of his being a weak young man I feel
sure that he is not Mr Weston would not be blind to folly though in his own
son but he is very likely to have a more yielding complying mild disposition
than would suit your notions of mans perfection I dare say he has and though
it may cut him off from some advantages it will secure him many others«
»Yes all the advantages of sitting still when he ought to move and of
leading a life of mere idle pleasure and fancying himself extremely expert in
finding excuses for it He can sit down and write a fine flourishing letter
full of professions and falsehoods and persuade himself that he has hit upon
the very best method in the world of preserving peace at home and preventing his
fathers having any right to complain His letters disgust me«
»Your feelings are singular They seem to satisfy every body else«
»I suspect they do not satisfy Mrs Weston They hardly can satisfy a woman
of her good sense and quick feelings standing in a mothers place but without
a mothers affection to blind her It is on her account that attention to
Randalls is doubly due and she must doubly feel the omission Had she been a
person of consequence herself he would have come I dare say and it would not
have signified whether he did or no Can you think your friend behindhand in
these sort of considerations Do you suppose she does not often say all this to
herself No Emma your amiable young man can be amiable only in French not in
English He may be very aimable have very good manners and be very agreeable
but he can have no English delicacy towards the feelings of other people
nothing really amiable about him«
»You seem determined to think ill of him«
»Me not at all« replied Mr Knightley rather displeased »I do not want
to think ill of him I should be as ready to acknowledge his merits as any other
man but I hear of none except what are merely personal that he is well grown
and goodlooking with smooth plausible manners«
»Well if he have nothing else to recommend him he will be a treasure at
Highbury We do not often look upon fine young men wellbred and agreeable We
must not be nice and ask for all the virtues into the bargain Cannot you
imagine Mr Knightley what a sensation his coming will produce There will be
but one subject throughout the parishes of Donwell and Highbury but one
interest one object of curiosity it will be all Mr Frank Churchill we shall
think and speak of nobody else«
»You will excuse my being so much overpowered If I find him conversible I
shall be glad of his acquaintance but if he is only a chattering coxcomb he
will not occupy much of my time or thoughts«
»My idea of him is that he can adapt his conversation to the taste of every
body and has the power as well as the wish of being universally agreeable To
you he will talk of farming to me of drawing or music and so on to every
body having that general information on all subjects which will enable him to
follow the lead or take the lead just as propriety may require and to speak
extremely well on each that is my idea of him«
»And mine« said Mr Knightley warmly »is that if he turn out any thing
like it he will be the most insufferable fellow breathing What at
threeandtwenty to be the king of his company the great man the practised
politician who is to read every bodys character and make every bodys talents
conduce to the display of his own superiority to be dispensing his flatteries
around that he may make all appear like fools compared with himself My dear
Emma your own good sense could not endure such a puppy when it came to the
point«
»I will say no more about him« cried Emma »you turn every thing to evil
We are both prejudiced you against I for him and we have no chance of
agreeing till he is really here«
»Prejudiced I am not prejudiced«
»But I am very much and without being at all ashamed of it My love for Mr
and Mrs Weston gives me a decided prejudice in his favour«
»He is a person I never think of from one months end to another« said Mr
Knightley with a degree of vexation which made Emma immediately talk of
something else though she could not comprehend why he should be angry
To take a dislike to a young man only because he appeared to be of a
different disposition from himself was unworthy the real liberality of mind
which she was always used to acknowledge in him for with all the high opinion
of himself which she had often laid to his charge she had never before for a
moment supposed it could make him unjust to the merit of another
Volume II
Chapter I
Emma and Harriet had been walking together one morning and in Emmas opinion
been talking enough of Mr Elton for that day She could not think that
Harriets solace or her own sins required more and she was therefore
industriously getting rid of the subject as they returned but it burst out
again when she thought she had succeeded and after speaking some time of what
the poor must suffer in winter and receiving no other answer than a very
plaintive »Mr Elton is so good to the poor« she found something else must be
done
They were just approaching the house where lived Mrs and Miss Bates She
determined to call upon them and seek safety in numbers There was always
sufficient reason for such an attention Mrs and Miss Bates loved to be called
on and she knew she was considered by the very few who presumed ever to see
imperfection in her as rather negligent in that respect and as not
contributing what she ought to the stock of their scanty comforts
She had had many a hint from Mr Knightley and some from her own heart as
to her deficiency but none were equal to counteract the persuasion of its
being very disagreeable a waste of time tiresome women and all the horror
of being in danger of falling in with the second rate and third rate of
Highbury who were calling on them for ever and therefore she seldom went near
them But now she made the sudden resolution of not passing their door without
going in observing as she proposed it to Harriet that as well as she could
calculate they were just now quite safe from any letter from Jane Fairfax
The house belonged to people in business Mrs and Miss Bates occupied the
drawingroom floor and there in the very moderate sized apartment which was
every thing to them the visitors were most cordially and even gratefully
welcomed the quiet neat old lady who with her knitting was seated in the
warmest corner wanting even to give up her place to Miss Woodhouse and her
more active talking daughter almost ready to overpower them with care and
kindness thanks for their visit solicitude for their shoes anxious inquiries
after Mr Woodhouses health cheerful communications about her mothers and
sweetcake from the beaufet »Mrs Cole had just been there just called in for
ten minutes and had been so good as to sit an hour with them and she had taken
a piece of cake and been so kind as to say she liked it very much and therefore
she hoped Miss Woodhouse and Miss Smith would do them the favour to eat a piece
too«
The mention of the Coles was sure to be followed by that of Mr Elton There
was intimacy between them and Mr Cole had heard from Mr Elton since his going
away Emma knew what was coming they must have the letter over again and
settle how long he had been gone and how much he was engaged in company and
what a favourite he was wherever he went and how full the Master of the
Ceremonies ball had been and she went through it very well with all the
interest and all the commendation that could be requisite and always putting
forward to prevent Harriets being obliged to say a word
This she had been prepared for when she entered the house but meant having
once talked him handsomely over to be no farther incommoded by any troublesome
topic and to wander at large amongst all the Mistresses and Misses of Highbury
and their cardparties She had not been prepared to have Jane Fairfax succeed
Mr Elton but he was actually hurried off by Miss Bates she jumped away from
him at last abruptly to the Coles to usher in a letter from her niece
»Oh yes Mr Elton I understood certainly as to dancing Mrs Cole was
telling me that dancing at the rooms at Bath was Mrs Cole was so kind as to
sit some time with us talking of Jane for as soon as she came in she began
inquiring after her Jane is so very great a favourite there Whenever she is
with us Mrs Cole does not know how to shew her kindness enough and I must say
that Jane deserves it as much as anybody can And so she began inquiring after
her directly saying I know you cannot have heard from Jane lately because it
is not her time for writing and when I immediately said But indeed we have we
had a letter this very morning I do not know that I ever saw anybody more
surprized Have you upon your honour said she well that is quite unexpected
Do let me hear what she says«
Emmas politeness was at hand directly to say with smiling interest
»Have you heard from Miss Fairfax so lately I am extremely happy I hope
she is well«
»Thank you You are so kind« replied the happily deceived aunt while
eagerly hunting for the letter »Oh here it is I was sure it could not be
far off but I had put my huswife upon it you see without being aware and so
it was quite hid but I had it in my hand so very lately that I was almost sure
it must be on the table I was reading it to Mrs Cole and since she went away
I was reading it again to my mother for it is such a pleasure to her a letter
from Jane that she can never hear it often enough so I knew it could not be
far off and here it is only just under my huswife and since you are so kind
as to wish to hear what she says but first of all I really must in justice
to Jane apologise for her writing so short a letter only two pages you see
hardly two and in general she fills the whole paper and crosses half My
mother often wonders that I can make it out so well She often says when the
letter is first opened Well Hetty now I think you will be put to it to make
out all that chequerwork dont you maam And then I tell her I am sure
she would contrive to make it out herself if she had nobody to do it for her
every word of it I am sure she would pore over it till she had made out every
word And indeed though my mothers eyes are not so good as they were she can
see amazingly well still thank God with the help of spectacles It is such a
blessing My mothers are really very good indeed Jane often says when she is
here I am sure grandmama you must have had very strong eyes to see as you do
and so much fine work as you have done too I only wish my eyes may last me
as well«
All this spoken extremely fast obliged Miss Bates to stop for breath and
Emma said something very civil about the excellence of Miss Fairfaxs
handwriting
»You are extremely kind« replied Miss Bates highly gratified »you who are
such a judge and write so beautifully yourself I am sure there is nobodys
praise that could give us so much pleasure as Miss Woodhouses My mother does
not hear she is a little deaf you know Maam« addressing her »do you hear
what Miss Woodhouse is so obliging to say about Janes handwriting«
And Emma had the advantage of hearing her own silly compliment repeated
twice over before the good old lady could comprehend it She was pondering in
the mean while upon the possibility without seeming very rude of making her
escape from Jane Fairfaxs letter and had almost resolved on hurrying away
directly under some slight excuse when Miss Bates turned to her again and
seized her attention
»My mothers deafness is very trifling you see just nothing at all By
only raising my voice and saying anything two or three times over she is sure
to hear but then she is used to my voice But it is very remarkable that she
should always hear Jane better than she does me Jane speaks so distinct
However she will not find her grandmama at all deafer than she was two years
ago which is saying a great deal at my mothers time of life and it really is
full two years you know since she was here We never were so long without
seeing her before and as I was telling Mrs Cole we shall hardly know how to
make enough of her now«
»Are you expecting Miss Fairfax here soon«
»Oh yes next week«
»Indeed That must be a very great pleasure«
»Thank you You are very kind Yes next week Every body is so surprized
and every body says the same obliging things I am sure she will be as happy to
see her friends at Highbury as they can be to see her Yes Friday or Saturday
she cannot say which because Colonel Campbell will be wanting the carriage
himself one of those days So very good of them to send her the whole way But
they always do you know Oh yes Friday or Saturday next That is what she
writes about That is the reason of her writing out of rule as we call it for
in the common course we should not have heard from her before next Tuesday or
Wednesday«
»Yes so I imagined I was afraid there could be little chance of my hearing
any thing of Miss Fairfax today«
»So obliging of you No we should not have heard if it had not been for
this particular circumstance of her being to come here so soon My mother is so
delighted for she is to be three months with us at least Three months she
says so positively as I am going to have the pleasure of reading to you The
case is you see that the Campbells are going to Ireland Mrs Dixon has
persuaded her father and mother to come over and see her directly They had not
intended to go over till the summer but she is so impatient to see them again
for till she married last October she was never away from them so much as a
week which must make it very strange to be in different kingdoms I was going
to say but however different countries and so she wrote a very urgent letter
to her mother or her father I declare I do not know which it was but we
shall see presently in Janes letter wrote in Mr Dixons name as well as her
own to press their coming over directly and they would give them the meeting
in Dublin and take them back to their countryseat Balycraig a beautiful
place I fancy Jane has heard a great deal of its beauty from Mr Dixon I mean
I do not know that she ever heard about it from any body else but it was very
natural you know that he should like to speak of his own place while he was
paying his addresses and as Jane used to be very often walking out with them
for Colonel and Mrs Campbell were very particular about their daughters not
walking out often with only Mr Dixon for which I do not at all blame them of
course she heard everything he might be telling Miss Campbell about his own home
in Ireland And I think she wrote us word that he had shewn them some drawings
of the place views that he had taken himself He is a most amiable charming
young man I believe Jane was quite longing to go to Ireland from his account
of things«
At this moment an ingenious and animating suspicion entering Emmas brain
with regard to Jane Fairfax this charming Mr Dixon and the not going to
Ireland she said with the insidious design of further discovery
»You must feel it very fortunate that Miss Fairfax should be allowed to come
to you at such a time Considering the very particular friendship between her
and Mrs Dixon you could hardly have expected her to be excused from
accompanying Colonel and Mrs Campbell«
»Very true very true indeed The very thing that we have always been
rather afraid of for we should not have liked to have her at such a distance
from us for months together not able to come if anything was to happen But
you see every thing turns out for the best They want her Mr and Mrs Dixon
excessively to come over with Colonel and Mrs Campbell quite depend upon it
nothing can be more kind or pressing than their joint invitation Jane says as
you will hear presently Mr Dixon does not seem in the least backward in any
attention He is a most charming young man Ever since the service he rendered
Jane at Weymouth when they were out in that party on the water and she by the
sudden whirling round of something or other among the sails would have been
dashed into the sea at once and actually was all but gone if he had not with
the greatest presence of mind caught hold of her habit I can never think of
it without trembling But ever since we had the history of that day I have
been so fond of Mr Dixon«
»But in spite of all her friends urgency and her own wish of seeing
Ireland Miss Fairfax prefers devoting the time to you and Mrs Bates«
»Yes entirely her own doing entirely her own choice and Colonel and Mrs
Campbell think she does quite right just what they should recommend and indeed
they particularly wish her to try her native air as she has not been quite so
well as usual lately«
»I am concerned to hear of it I think they judge wisely But Mrs Dixon
must be very much disappointed Mrs Dixon I understand has no remarkable
degree of personal beauty is not by any means to be compared with Miss
Fairfax«
»Oh no You are very obliging to say such things but certainly not There
is no comparison between them Miss Campbell always was absolutely plain but
extremely elegant and amiable«
»Yes that of course«
»Jane caught a bad cold poor thing so long ago as the 7th of November as
I am going to read to you and has never been well since A long time is not
it for a cold to hang upon her She never mentioned it before because she
would not alarm us Just like her so considerate But however she is so far
from well that her kind friends the Campbells think she had better come home
and try an air that always agrees with her and they have no doubt that three or
four months at Highbury will entirely cure her and it is certainly a great
deal better that she should come here than go to Ireland if she is unwell
Nobody could nurse her as we should do«
»It appears to me the most desirable arrangement in the world«
»And so she is to come to us next Friday or Saturday and the Campbells
leave town in their way to Holyhead the Monday following as you will find from
Janes letter So sudden You may guess dear Miss Woodhouse what a flurry it
has thrown me in If it was not for the drawback of her illness but I am
afraid we must expect to see her grown thin and looking very poorly I must
tell you what an unlucky thing happened to me as to that I always make a point
of reading Janes letters through to myself first before I read them aloud to
my mother you know for fear of there being any thing in them to distress her
Jane desired me to do it so I always do and so I began today with my usual
caution but no sooner did I come to the mention of her being unwell than I
burst out quite frightened with Bless me poor Jane is ill which my mother
being on the watch heard distinctly and was sadly alarmed at However when I
read on I found it was not near so bad as I fancied at first and I make so
light of it now to her that she does not think much about it But I cannot
imagine how I could be so off my guard If Jane does not get well soon we will
call in Mr Perry The expense shall not be thought of and though he is so
liberal and so fond of Jane that I dare say he would not mean to charge
anything for attendance we could not suffer it to be so you know He has a
wife and family to maintain and is not to be giving away his time Well now I
have just given you a hint of what Jane writes about we will turn to her
letter and I am sure she tells her own story a great deal better than I can
tell it for her«
»I am afraid we must be running away« said Emma glancing at Harriet and
beginning to rise »My father will be expecting us I had no intention I
thought I had no power of staying more than five minutes when I first entered
the house I merely called because I would not pass the door without inquiring
after Mrs Bates but I have been so pleasantly detained Now however we must
wish you and Mrs Bates good morning«
And not all that could be urged to detain her succeeded She regained the
street happy in this that though much had been forced on her against her
will though she had in fact heard the whole substance of Jane Fairfaxs letter
she had been able to escape the letter itself
Chapter II
Jane Fairfax was an orphan the only child of Mrs Batess youngest daughter
The marriage of Lieut Fairfax of the regiment of infantry and Miss
Jane Bates had had its day of fame and pleasure hope and interest but nothing
now remained of it save the melancholy remembrance of him dying in action
abroad of his widow sinking under consumption and grief soon afterwards and
this girl
By birth she belonged to Highbury and when at three years old on losing
her mother she became the property the charge the consolation the fondling
of her grandmother and aunt there had seemed every probability of her being
permanently fixed there of her being taught only what very limited means could
command and growing up with no advantages of connection or improvement to be
engrafted on what nature had given her in a pleasing person good understanding
and warmhearted well meaning relations
But the compassionate feelings of a friend of her father gave a change to
her destiny This was Colonel Campbell who had very highly regarded Fairfax as
an excellent officer and most deserving young man and farther had been
indebted to him for such attentions during a severe campfever as he believed
had saved his life These were claims which he did not learn to overlook though
some years passed away from the death of poor Fairfax before his own return to
England put any thing in his power When he did return he sought out the child
and took notice of her He was a married man with only one living child a
girl about Janes age and Jane became their guest paying them long visits and
growing a favourite with all and before she was nine years old his daughters
great fondness for her and his own wish of being a real friend united to
produce an offer from Colonel Campbell of undertaking the whole charge of her
education It was accepted and from that period Jane had belonged to Colonel
Campbells family and had lived with them entirely only visiting her
grandmother from time to time
The plan was that she should be brought up for educating others the very
few hundred pounds which she inherited from her father making independence
impossible To provide for her otherwise was out of Colonel Campbells power
for though his income by pay and appointments was handsome his fortune was
moderate and must be all his daughters but by giving her an education he
hoped to be supplying the means of respectable subsistance hereafter
Such was Jane Fairfaxs history She had fallen into good hands known
nothing but kindness from the Campbells and been given an excellent education
Living constantly with rightminded and wellinformed people her heart and
understanding had received every advantage of discipline and culture and Col
Campbells residence being in London every lighter talent had been done full
justice to by the attendance of firstrate masters Her disposition and
abilities were equally worthy of all that friendship could do and at eighteen
or nineteen she was as far as such an early age can be qualified for the care
of children fully competent to the office of instruction herself but she was
too much beloved to be parted with Neither father nor mother could promote and
the daughter could not endure it The evil day was put off It was easy to
decide that she was still too young and Jane remained with them sharing as
another daughter in all the rational pleasures of an elegant society and a
judicious mixture of home and amusement with only the drawback of the future
the sobering suggestions of her own good understanding to remind her that all
this might soon be over
The affection of the whole family the warm attachment of Miss Campbell in
particular was the more honourable to each party from the circumstance of
Janes decided superiority both in beauty and acquirements That nature had
given it in feature could not be unseen by the young woman nor could her higher
powers of mind be unfelt by the parents They continued together with unabated
regard however till the marriage of Miss Campbell who by that chance that
luck which so often defies anticipation in matrimonial affairs giving
attraction to what is moderate rather than to what is superior engaged the
affections of Mr Dixon a young man rich and agreeable almost as soon as they
were acquainted and was eligibly and happily settled while Jane Fairfax had
yet her bread to earn
This event had very lately taken place too lately for any thing to be yet
attempted by her less fortunate friend towards entering on her path of duty
though she had now reached the age which her own judgment had fixed on for
beginning She had long resolved that oneandtwenty should be the period With
the fortitude of a devoted noviciate she had resolved at oneandtwenty to
complete the sacrifice and retire from all the pleasures of life of rational
intercourse equal society peace and hope to penance and mortification for
ever
The good sense of Colonel and Mrs Campbell could not oppose such a
resolution though their feelings did As long as they lived no exertions would
be necessary their home might be hers for ever and for their own comfort they
would have retained her wholly but this would be selfishness what must be at
last had better be soon Perhaps they began to feel it might have been kinder
and wiser to have resisted the temptation of any delay and spared her from a
taste of such enjoyments of ease and leisure as must now be relinquished Still
however affection was glad to catch at any reasonable excuse for not hurrying
on the wretched moment She had never been quite well since the time of their
daughters marriage and till she should have completely recovered her usual
strength they must forbid her engaging in duties which so far from being
compatible with a weakened frame and varying spirits seemed under the most
favourable circumstances to require something more than human perfection of
body and mind to be discharged with tolerable comfort
With regard to her not accompanying them to Ireland her account to her aunt
contained nothing but truth though there might be some truths not told It was
her own choice to give the time of their absence to Highbury to spend perhaps
her last months of perfect liberty with those kind relations to whom she was so
very dear and the Campbells whatever might be their motive or motives whether
single or double or treble gave the arrangement their ready sanction and
said that they depended more on a few months spent in her native air for the
recovery of her health than on any thing else Certain it was that she was to
come and that Highbury instead of welcoming that perfect novelty which had
been so long promised it Mr Frank Churchill must put up for the present
with Jane Fairfax who could bring only the freshness of a two years absence
Emma was sorry to have to pay civilities to a person she did not like
through three long months to be always doing more than she wished and less
than she ought Why she did not like Jane Fairfax might be a difficult question
to answer Mr Knightley had once told her it was because she saw in her the
really accomplished young woman which she wanted to be thought herself and
though the accusation had been eagerly refuted at the time there were moments
of self-examination in which her conscience could not quite acquit her But »she
could never get acquainted with her she did not know how it was but there was
such coldness and reserve such apparent indifference whether she pleased or
not and then her aunt was such an eternal talker and she was made such a
fuss with by every body and it had been always imagined that they were to be
so intimate because their ages were the same every body had supposed they
must be so fond of each other« These were her reasons she had no better
It was a dislike so little just every imputed fault was so magnified by
fancy that she never saw Jane Fairfax the first time after any considerable
absence without feeling that she had injured her and now when the due visit
was paid on her arrival after a two years interval she was particularly
struck with the very appearance and manners which for those two whole years she
had been depreciating Jane Fairfax was very elegant remarkably elegant and
she had herself the highest value for elegance Her height was pretty just such
as almost everybody would think tall and nobody could think very tall her
figure particularly graceful her size a most becoming medium between fat and
thin though a slight appearance of illhealth seemed to point out the likeliest
evil of the two Emma could not but feel all this and then her face her
features there was more beauty in them all together than she had remembered
it was not regular but it was very pleasing beauty Her eyes a deep grey with
dark eyelashes and eyebrows had never been denied their praise but the skin
which she had been used to cavil at as wanting colour had a clearness and
delicacy which really needed no fuller bloom It was a style of beauty of which
elegance was the reigning character and as such she must in honour by all
her principles admire it elegance which whether of person or of mind she
saw so little in Highbury There not to be vulgar was distinction and merit
In short she sat during the first visit looking at Jane Fairfax with
twofold complacency the sense of pleasure and the sense of rendering justice
and was determining that she would dislike her no longer When she took in her
history indeed her situation as well as her beauty when she considered what
all this elegance was destined to what she was going to sink from how she was
going to live it seemed impossible to feel any thing but compassion and
respect especially if to every wellknown particular entitling her to
interest were added the highly probable circumstance of an attachment to Mr
Dixon which she had so naturally started to herself In that case nothing
could be more pitiable or more honourable than the sacrifices she had resolved
on Emma was very willing now to acquit her of having seduced Mr Dixons
affections from his wife or of any thing mischievous which her imagination had
suggested at first If it were love it might be simple single successless
love on her side alone She might have been unconsciously sucking in the sad
poison while a sharer of his conversation with her friend and from the best
the purest of motives might now be denying herself this visit to Ireland and
resolving to divide herself effectually from him and his connections by soon
beginning her career of laborious duty
Upon the whole Emma left her with such softened charitable feelings as
made her look around in walking home and lament that Highbury afforded no young
man worthy of giving her independence nobody that she could wish to scheme
about for her
These were charming feelings but not lasting Before she had committed
herself by any public profession of eternal friendship for Jane Fairfax or done
more towards a recantation of past prejudices and errors than saying to Mr
Knightley »She certainly is handsome she is better than handsome« Jane had
spent an evening at Hartfield with her grandmother and aunt and every thing was
relapsing much into its usual state Former provocations reappeared The aunt
was as tiresome as ever more tiresome because anxiety for her health was now
added to admiration of her powers and they had to listen to the description of
exactly how little bread and butter she ate for breakfast and how small a slice
of mutton for dinner as well as to see exhibitions of new caps and new
workbags for her mother and herself and Janes offences rose again They had
music Emma was obliged to play and the thanks and praise which necessarily
followed appeared to her an affectation of candour an air of greatness meaning
only to shew off in higher style her own very superior performance She was
besides which was the worst of all so cold so cautious There was no getting
at her real opinion Wrapt up in a cloak of politeness she seemed determined to
hazard nothing She was disgustingly was suspiciously reserved
If any thing could be more where all was most she was more reserved on the
subject of Weymouth and the Dixons than any thing. She seemed bent on giving no
real insight into Mr Dixons character or her own value for his company or
opinion of the suitableness of the match It was all general approbation and
smoothness nothing delineated or distinguished It did her no service however
Her caution was thrown away Emma saw its artifice and returned to her first
surmises There probably was something more to conceal than her own preference
Mr Dixon perhaps had been very near changing one friend for the other or
been fixed only to Miss Campbell for the sake of the future twelve thousand
pounds
The like reserve prevailed on other topics She and Mr Frank Churchill had
been at Weymouth at the same time It was known that they were a little
acquainted but not a syllable of real information could Emma procure as to what
he truly was »Was he handsome« »She believed he was reckoned a very fine
young man« »Was he agreeable« »He was generally thought so« »Did he appear
a sensible young man a young man of information« »At a wateringplace or in
a common London acquaintance it was difficult to decide on such points Manners
were all that could be safely judged of under a much longer knowledge than they
had yet had of Mr Churchill She believed every body found his manners
pleasing« Emma could not forgive her
Chapter III
Emma could not forgive her but as neither provocation nor resentment were
discerned by Mr Knightley who had been of the party and had seen only proper
attention and pleasing behaviour on each side he was expressing the next
morning being at Hartfield again on business with Mr Woodhouse his
approbation of the whole not so openly as he might have done had her father
been out of the room but speaking plain enough to be very intelligible to Emma
He had been used to think her unjust to Jane and had now great pleasure in
marking an improvement
»A very pleasant evening« he began as soon as Mr Woodhouse had been
talked into what was necessary told that he understood and the papers swept
away »particularly pleasant You and Miss Fairfax gave us some very good
music I do not know a more luxurious state sir than sitting at ones ease to
be entertained a whole evening by two such young women sometimes with music and
sometimes with conversation I am sure Miss Fairfax must have found the evening
pleasant Emma You left nothing undone I was glad you made her play so much
for having no instrument at her grandmothers it must have been a real
indulgence«
»I am happy you approved« said Emma smiling »but I hope I am not often
deficient in what is due to guests at Hartfield«
»No my dear« said her father instantly »that I am sure you are not There
is nobody half so attentive and civil as you are If any thing, you are too
attentive The muffin last night if it had been handed round once I think it
would have been enough«
»No« said Mr Knightley nearly at the same time »you are not often
deficient not often deficient either in manner or comprehension I think you
understand me therefore«
An arch look expressed »I understand you well enough« but she said only
»Miss Fairfax is reserved«
»I always told you she was a little but you will soon overcome all that
part of her reserve which ought to be overcome all that has its foundation in
diffidence What arises from discretion must be honoured«
»You think her diffident I do not see it«
»My dear Emma« said he moving from his chair into one close by her »you
are not going to tell me I hope that you had not a pleasant evening«
»Oh no I was pleased with my own perseverance in asking questions and
amused to think how little information I obtained«
»I am disappointed« was his only answer
»I hope every body had a pleasant evening« said Mr Woodhouse in his quiet
way »I had Once I felt the fire rather too much but then I moved back my
chair a little a very little and it did not disturb me Miss Bates was very
chatty and goodhumoured as she always is though she speaks rather too quick
However she is very agreeable and Mrs Bates too in a different way I like
old friends and Miss Jane Fairfax is a very pretty sort of young lady a very
pretty and a very wellbehaved young lady indeed She must have found the
evening agreeable Mr Knightley because she had Emma«
»True sir and Emma because she had Miss Fairfax«
Emma saw his anxiety and wishing to appease it at least for the present
said and with a sincerity which no one could question
»She is a sort of elegant creature that one cannot keep ones eyes from I
am always watching her to admire and I do pity her from my heart«
Mr Knightley looked as if he were more gratified than he cared to express
and before he could make any reply Mr Woodhouse whose thoughts were on the
Batess said
»It is a great pity that their circumstances should be so confined a great
pity indeed and I have often wished but it is so little one can venture to do
small trifling presents of any thing uncommon Now we have killed a porker
and Emma thinks of sending them a loin or a leg it is very small and delicate
Hartfield pork is not like any other pork but still it is pork and my dear
Emma unless one could be sure of their making it into steaks nicely fried as
ours are fried without the smallest grease and not roast it for no stomach
can bear roast pork I think we had better send the leg do not you think so
my dear«
»My dear papa I sent the whole hindquarter I knew you would wish it
There will be the leg to be salted you know which is so very nice and the
loin to be dressed directly in any manner they like«
»Thats right my dear very right I had not thought of it before but that
was the best way They must not oversalt the leg and then if it is not
oversalted and if it is very thoroughly boiled just as Serle boils ours and
eaten very moderately of with a boiled turnip and a little carrot or parsnip
I do not consider it unwholesome«
»Emma« said Mr Knightley presently »I have a piece of news for you You
like news and I heard an article in my way hither that I think will interest
you«
»News Oh yes I always like news What is it why do you smile so
where did you hear it at Randalls«
He had time only to say
»No not at Randalls I have not been near Randalls« when the door was
thrown open and Miss Bates and Miss Fairfax walked into the room Full of
thanks and full of news Miss Bates knew not which to give quickest Mr
Knightley soon saw that he had lost his moment and that not another syllable of
communication could rest with him
»Oh my dear sir how are you this morning My dear Miss Woodhouse I come
quite overpowered Such a beautiful hindquarter of pork You are too bountiful
Have you heard the news Mr Elton is going to be married«
Emma had not had time even to think of Mr Elton and she was so completely
surprized that she could not avoid a little start and a little blush at the
sound
»There is my news I thought it would interest you« said Mr Knightley
with a smile which implied a conviction of some part of what had passed between
them
»But where could you hear it« cried Miss Bates »Where could you possibly
hear it Mr Knightley For it is not five minutes since I received Mrs Coles
note no it cannot be more than five or at least ten for I had got my
bonnet and spencer on just ready to come out I was only gone down to speak to
Patty again about the pork Jane was standing in the passage were not you
Jane for my mother was so afraid that we had not any saltingpan large
enough So I said I would go down and see and Jane said Shall I go down
instead for I think you have a little cold and Patty has been washing the
kitchen Oh my dear said I well and just then came the note A Miss Hawkins
thats all I know A Miss Hawkins of Bath But Mr Knightley how could you
possibly have heard it for the very moment Mr Cole told Mrs Cole of it she
sat down and wrote to me A Miss Hawkins«
»I was with Mr Cole on business an hour and half ago He had just read
Eltons letter as I was shewn in and handed it to me directly«
»Well that is quite I suppose there never was a piece of news more
generally interesting My dear sir you really are too bountiful My mother
desires her very best compliments and regards and a thousand thanks and says
you really quite oppress her«
»We consider our Hartfield pork« replied Mr Woodhouse »indeed it
certainly is so very superior to all other pork that Emma and I cannot have a
greater pleasure than«
»Oh my dear sir as my mother says our friends are only too good to us If
ever there were people who without having great wealth themselves had every
thing they could wish for I am sure it is us We may well say that our lot is
cast in a goodly heritage Well Mr Knightley and so you actually saw the
letter well«
»It was short merely to announce but cheerful exulting of course«
Here was a sly glance at Emma »He had been so fortunate as to I forget the
precise words one has no business to remember them The information was as
you state that he was going to be married to a Miss Hawkins By his style I
should imagine it just settled«
»Mr Elton going to be married« said Emma as soon as she could speak »He
will have everybodys wishes for his happiness«
»He is very young to settle« was Mr Woodhouses observation »He had
better not be in a hurry He seemed to me very well off as he was We were
always glad to see him at Hartfield«
»A new neighbour for us all Miss Woodhouse« said Miss Bates joyfully »my
mother is so pleased she says she cannot bear to have the poor old Vicarage
without a mistress This is great news indeed Jane you have never seen Mr
Elton no wonder that you have such a curiosity to see him«
Janes curiosity did not appear of that absorbing nature as wholly to occupy
her
»No I have never seen Mr Elton« she replied starting on this appeal
»is he is he a tall man«
»Who shall answer that question« cried Emma »My father would say yes Mr
Knightley no and Miss Bates and I that he is just the happy medium When you
have been here a little longer Miss Fairfax you will understand that Mr Elton
is the standard of perfection in Highbury both in person and mind«
»Very true Miss Woodhouse so she will He is the very best young man
But my dear Jane if you remember I told you yesterday he was precisely the
height of Mr Perry Miss Hawkins I dare say an excellent young woman His
extreme attention to my mother wanting her to sit in the vicaragepew that
she might hear the better for my mother is a little deaf you know it is not
much but she does not hear quite quick Jane says that Colonel Campbell is a
little deaf He fancied bathing might be good for it the warm bath but she
says it did him no lasting benefit Colonel Campbell you know is quite our
angel And Mr Dixon seems a very charming young man quite worthy of him It is
such a happiness when good people get together and they always do Now here
will be Mr Elton and Miss Hawkins and there are the Coles such very good
people and the Perrys I suppose there never was a happier or a better couple
than Mr and Mrs Perry I say sir« turning to Mr Woodhouse »I think there
are few places with such society as Highbury I always say we are quite blessed
in our neighbours My dear sir if there is one thing my mother loves better
than another it is pork a roast loin of pork«
»As to who or what Miss Hawkins is or how long he has been acquainted with
her« said Emma »nothing I suppose can be known One feels that it cannot be a
very long acquaintance He has been gone only four weeks«
Nobody had any information to give and after a few more wonderings Emma
said
»You are silent Miss Fairfax but I hope you mean to take an interest in
this news You who have been hearing and seeing so much of late on these
subjects who must have been so deep in the business on Miss Campbells account
we shall not excuse your being indifferent about Mr Elton and Miss Hawkins«
»When I have seen Mr Elton« replied Jane »I dare say I shall be
interested but I believe it requires that with me And as it is some months
since Miss Campbell married the impression may be a little worn off«
»Yes he has been gone just four weeks as you observe Miss Woodhouse«
said Miss Bates »four weeks yesterday A Miss Hawkins Well I had always
rather fancied it would be some young lady hereabouts not that I ever Mrs
Cole once whispered to me but I immediately said No Mr Elton is a most
worthy young man but In short I do not think I am particularly quick at
those sort of discoveries I do not pretend to it What is before me I see At
the same time nobody could wonder if Mr Elton should have aspired Miss
Woodhouse lets me chatter on so goodhumouredly She knows I would not offend
for the world How does Miss Smith do She seems quite recovered now Have you
heard from Mrs John Knightley lately Oh those dear little children Jane do
you know I always fancy Mr Dixon like Mr John Knightley I mean in person
tall and with that sort of look and not very talkative«
»Quite wrong my dear aunt there is no likeness at all«
»Very odd but one never does form a just idea of any body beforehand One
takes up a notion, and runs away with it Mr Dixon you say is not strictly
speaking handsome«
»Handsome Oh no far from it certainly plain I told you he was plain«
»My dear you said that Miss Campbell would not allow him to be plain and
that you yourself «
»Oh as for me my judgment is worth nothing Where I have a regard I
always think a person welllooking But I gave what I believed the general
opinion when I called him plain«
»Well my dear Jane I believe we must be running away The weather does not
look well and grandmamma will be uneasy You are too obliging my dear Miss
Woodhouse but we really must take leave This has been a most agreeable piece
of news indeed I shall just go round by Mrs Coles but I shall not stop three
minutes and Jane you had better go home directly I would not have you out
in a shower We think she is the better for Highbury already Thank you we do
indeed I shall not attempt calling on Mrs Goddard for I really do not think
she cares for any thing but boiled pork when we dress the leg it will be
another thing Good morning to you my dear sir Oh Mr Knightley is coming
too Well that is so very I am sure if Jane is tired you will be so kind as
to give her your arm Mr Elton and Miss Hawkins Good morning to you«
Emma alone with her father had half her attention wanted by him while he
lamented that young people would be in such a hurry to marry and to marry
strangers too and the other half she could give to her own view of the
subject It was to herself an amusing and a very welcome piece of news as
proving that Mr Elton could not have suffered long but she was sorry for
Harriet Harriet must feel it and all that she could hope was by giving the
first information herself to save her from hearing it abruptly from others It
was now about the time that she was likely to call If she were to meet Miss
Bates in her way and upon its beginning to rain Emma was obliged to expect
that the weather would be detaining her at Mrs Goddards and that the
intelligence would undoubtedly rush upon her without preparation
The shower was heavy but short and it had not been over five minutes when
in came Harriet with just the heated agitated look which hurrying thither with
a full heart was likely to give and the »Oh Miss Woodhouse what do you think
has happened« which instantly burst forth had all the evidence of
corresponding perturbation As the blow was given Emma felt that she could not
now shew greater kindness than in listening and Harriet unchecked ran eagerly
through what she had to tell »She had set out from Mrs Goddards half an hour
ago she had been afraid it would rain she had been afraid it would pour down
every moment but she thought she might get to Hartfield first she had
hurried on as fast as possible but then as she was passing by the house where
a young woman was making up a gown for her she thought she would just step in
and see how it went on and though she did not seem to stay half a moment there
soon after she came out it began to rain and she did not know what to do so
she ran on directly as fast as she could and took shelter at Fords« Fords
was the principal woollendraper linendraper and haberdashers shop united
the shop first in size and fashion in the place »And so there she had set
without an idea of any thing in the world full ten minutes perhaps when all
of a sudden who should come in to be sure it was so very odd but they
always dealt at Fords who should come in but Elizabeth Martin and her
brother Dear Miss Woodhouse only think I thought I should have fainted I
did not know what to do I was sitting near the door Elizabeth saw me
directly but he did not he was busy with the umbrella I am sure she saw me
but she looked away directly and took no notice and they both went to quite
the farther end of the shop and I kept sitting near the door Oh dear I was
so miserable I am sure I must have been as white as my gown I could not go
away you know because of the rain but I did so wish myself any where in the
world but there Oh dear Miss Woodhouse well at last I fancy he looked
round and saw me for instead of going on with their buyings they began
whispering to one another. I am sure they were talking of me and I could not
help thinking that he was persuading her to speak to me do you think he was
Miss Woodhouse for presently she came forward came quite up to me and
asked me how I did and seemed ready to shake hands if I would She did not do
any of it in the same way that she used I could see she was altered but
however she seemed to try to be very friendly and we shook hands and stood
talking some time but I know no more what I said I was in such a tremble I
remember she said she was sorry we never met now which I thought almost too
kind Dear Miss Woodhouse I was absolutely miserable By that time it was
beginning to hold up and I was determined that nothing should stop me from
getting away and then only think I found he was coming up towards me too
slowly you know and as if he did not quite know what to do and so he came
and spoke and I answered and I stood for a minute feeling dreadfully you
know one cant tell how and then I took courage and said it did not rain and
I must go and so off I set and I had not got three yards from the door when
he came after me only to say if I was going to Hartfield he thought I had
much better go round by Mr Coles stables for I should find the near way quite
floated by this rain Oh dear I thought it would have been the death of me So
I said I was very much obliged to him you know I could not do less and then
he went back to Elizabeth and I came round by the stables I believe I did
but I hardly knew where I was or any thing about it Oh Miss Woodhouse I
would rather done any thing than have had it happen and yet you know there
was a sort of satisfaction in seeing him behave so pleasantly and so kindly And
Elizabeth too Oh Miss Woodhouse do talk to me and make me comfortable
again«
Very sincerely did Emma wish to do so but it was not immediately in her
power She was obliged to stop and think She was not thoroughly comfortable
herself The young mans conduct and his sisters seemed the result of real
feeling and she could not but pity them As Harriet described it there had
been an interesting mixture of wounded affection and genuine delicacy in their
behaviour But she had believed them to be well meaning worthy people before
and what difference did this make in the evils of the connection It was folly
to be disturbed by it Of course he must be sorry to lose her they must be
all sorry Ambition as well as love had probably been mortified They might
all have hoped to rise by Harriets acquaintance and besides what was the
value of Harriets description so easily pleased so little discerning
what signified her praise
She exerted herself and did try to make her comfortable by considering all
that had passed as a mere trifle and quite unworthy of being dwelt on
»It might be distressing for the moment« said she »but you seem to have
behaved extremely well and it is over and may never can never as a first
meeting occur again and therefore you need not think about it«
Harriet said »very true« and she »would not think about it« but still she
talked of it still she could talk of nothing else and Emma at last in order
to put the Martins out of her head was obliged to hurry on the news which she
had meant to give with so much tender caution hardly knowing herself whether to
rejoice or be angry ashamed or only amused at such a state of mind in poor
Harriet such a conclusion of Mr Eltons importance with her
Mr Eltons rights however gradually revived Though she did not feel the
first intelligence as she might have done the day before or an hour before its
interest soon increased and before their first conversation was over she had
talked herself into all the sensations of curiosity wonder and regret pain and
pleasure as to this fortunate Miss Hawkins which could conduce to place the
Martins under proper subordination in her fancy
Emma learned to be rather glad that there had been such a meeting It had
been serviceable in deadening the first shock without retaining any influence
to alarm As Harriet now lived the Martins could not get at her without
seeking her where hitherto they had wanted either the courage or the
condescension to seek her for since her refusal of the brother the sisters had
never been at Mrs Goddards and a twelvemonth might pass without their being
thrown together again with any necessity or even any power of speech
Chapter IV
Human nature is so well disposed towards those who are in interesting
situations that a young person who either marries or dies is sure of being
kindly spoken of
A week had not passed since Miss Hawkinss name was first mentioned in
Highbury before she was by some means or other discovered to have every
recommendation of person and mind to be handsome elegant highly accomplished
and perfectly amiable and when Mr Elton himself arrived to triumph in his
happy prospects and circulate the fame of her merits there was very little
more for him to do than to tell her Christian name and say whose music she
principally played
Mr Elton returned a very happy man He had gone away rejected and
mortified disappointed in a very sanguine hope after a series of what had
appeared to him strong encouragement and not only losing the right lady but
finding himself debased to the level of a very wrong one He had gone away
deeply offended he came back engaged to another and to another as superior
of course to the first as under such circumstances what is gained always is to
what is lost He came back gay and selfsatisfied eager and busy caring
nothing for Miss Woodhouse and defying Miss Smith
The charming Augusta Hawkins in addition to all the usual advantages of
perfect beauty and merit was in possession of an independent fortune of so
many thousands as would always be called ten a point of some dignity as well
as some convenience the story told well he had not thrown himself away he
had gained a woman of 10000 l or thereabouts and he had gained her with such
delightful rapidity the first hour of introduction had been so very soon
followed by distinguishing notice the history which he had to give Mrs Cole of
the rise and progress of the affair was so glorious the steps so quick from
the accidental rencontre to the dinner at Mr Greens and the party at Mrs
Browns smiles and blushes rising in importance with consciousness and
agitation richly scattered the lady had been so easily impressed so sweetly
disposed had in short to use a most intelligible phrase been so very ready
to have him that vanity and prudence were equally contented
He had caught both substance and shadow both fortune and affection and
was just the happy man he ought to be talking only of himself and his own
concerns expecting to be congratulated ready to be laughed at and with
cordial fearless smiles now addressing all the young ladies of the place to
whom a few weeks ago he would have been more cautiously gallant
The wedding was no distant event as the parties had only themselves to
please and nothing but the necessary preparations to wait for and when he set
out for Bath again there was a general expectation which a certain glance of
Mrs Coles did not seem to contradict that when he next entered Highbury he
would bring his bride
During his present short stay Emma had barely seen him but just enough to
feel that the first meeting was over and to give her the impression of his not
being improved by the mixture of pique and pretension now spread over his air
She was in fact beginning very much to wonder that she had ever thought him
pleasing at all and his sight was so inseparably connected with some very
disagreeable feelings that except in a moral light as a penance a lesson a
source of profitable humiliation to her own mind she would have been thankful
to be assured of never seeing him again She wished him very well but he gave
her pain and his welfare twenty miles off would administer most satisfaction
The pain of his continued residence in Highbury however must certainly be
lessened by his marriage Many vain solicitudes would be prevented many
awkwardnesses smoothed by it A Mrs Elton would be an excuse for any change of
intercourse former intimacy might sink without remark It would be almost
beginning their life of civility again
Of the lady individually Emma thought very little She was good enough for
Mr Elton no doubt accomplished enough for Highbury handsome enough to
look plain probably by Harriets side As to connection there Emma was
perfectly easy persuaded that after all his own vaunted claims and disdain of
Harriet he had done nothing On that article truth seemed attainable What she
was must be uncertain but who she was might be found out and setting aside
the 10000 l it did not appear that she was at all Harriets superior She
brought no name no blood no alliance Miss Hawkins was the youngest of the two
daughters of a Bristol merchant of course he must be called but as the
whole of the profits of his mercantile life appeared so very moderate it was
not unfair to guess the dignity of his line of trade had been very moderate
also Part of every winter she had been used to spend in Bath but Bristol was
her home the very heart of Bristol for though the father and mother had died
some years ago an uncle remained in the law line nothing more distinctly
honourable was hazarded of him than that he was in the law line and with him
the daughter had lived Emma guessed him to be the drudge of some attorney and
too stupid to rise And all the grandeur of the connection seemed dependent on
the elder sister who was very well married to a gentleman in a great way near
Bristol who kept two carriages That was the windup of the history that was
the glory of Miss Hawkins
Could she but have given Harriet her feelings about it all She had talked
her into love but alas she was not so easily to be talked out of it The charm
of an object to occupy the many vacancies of Harriets mind was not to be talked
away He might be superseded by another he certainly would indeed nothing
could be clearer even a Robert Martin would have been sufficient but nothing
else she feared would cure her Harriet was one of those who having once
begun would be always in love And now poor girl she was considerably worse
from this reappearance of Mr Elton She was always having a glimpse of him
somewhere or other Emma saw him only once but two or three times every day
Harriet was sure just to meet with him or just to miss him just to hear his
voice or see his shoulder just to have something occur to preserve him in her
fancy in all the favouring warmth of surprize and conjecture She was
moreover perpetually hearing about him for excepting when at Hartfield she
was always among those who saw no fault in Mr Elton and found nothing so
interesting as the discussion of his concerns and every report therefore
every guess all that had already occurred all that might occur in the
arrangement of his affairs comprehending income servants and furniture was
continually in agitation around her Her regard was receiving strength by
invariable praise of him and her regrets kept alive and feelings irritated by
ceaseless repetitions of Miss Hawkinss happiness and continual observation of
how much he seemed attached his air as he walked by the house the very
sitting of his hat being all in proof of how much he was in love
Had it been allowable entertainment had there been no pain to her friend
or reproach to herself in the waverings of Harriets mind Emma would have been
amused by its variations Sometimes Mr Elton predominated sometimes the
Martins and each was occasionally useful as a check to the other Mr Eltons
engagement had been the cure of the agitation of meeting Mr Martin The
unhappiness produced by the knowledge of that engagement had been a little put
aside by Elizabeth Martins calling at Mrs Goddards a few days afterwards
Harriet had not been at home but a note had been prepared and left for her
written in the very style to touch a small mixture of reproach with a great
deal of kindness and till Mr Elton himself appeared she had been much
occupied by it continually pondering over what could be done in return and
wishing to do more than she dared to confess But Mr Elton in person had
driven away all such cares While he staid the Martins were forgotten and on
the very morning of his setting off for Bath again Emma to dissipate some of
the distress it occasioned judged it best for her to return Elizabeth Martins
visit
How that visit was to be acknowledged what would be necessary and what
might be safest had been a point of some doubtful consideration Absolute
neglect of the mother and sisters when invited to come would be ingratitude
It must not be and yet the danger of a renewal of the acquaintance
After much thinking she could determine on nothing better than Harriets
returning the visit but in a way that if they had understanding should
convince them that it was to be only a formal acquaintance She meant to take
her in the carriage leave her at the Abbey Mill while she drove a little
farther and call for her again so soon as to allow no time for insidious
applications or dangerous recurrences to the past and give the most decided
proof of what degree of intimacy was chosen for the future
She could think of nothing better and though there was something in it
which her own heart could not approve something of ingratitude merely glossed
over it must be done or what would become of Harriet
Chapter V
Small heart had Harriet for visiting Only half an hour before her friend called
for her at Mrs Goddards her evil stars had led her to the very spot where at
that moment a trunk directed to The Rev Philip Elton WhiteHart Bath was
to be seen under the operation of being lifted into the butchers cart which
was to convey it to where the coaches past and every thing in this world
excepting that trunk and the direction was consequently a blank
She went however and when they reached the farm and she was to be put
down at the end of the broad neat gravelwalk which led between espalier
appletrees to the front door the sight of every thing which had given her so
much pleasure the autumn before was beginning to revive a little local
agitation and when they parted Emma observed her to be looking around with a
sort of fearful curiosity which determined her not to allow the visit to exceed
the proposed quarter of an hour She went on herself to give that portion of
time to an old servant who was married and settled in Donwell
The quarter of an hour brought her punctually to the white gate again and
Miss Smith receiving her summons was with her without delay and unattended by
any alarming young man She came solitarily down the gravel walk a Miss Martin
just appearing at the door and parting with her seemingly with ceremonious
civility
Harriet could not very soon give an intelligible account She was feeling
too much but at last Emma collected from her enough to understand the sort of
meeting and the sort of pain it was creating She had seen only Mrs Martin and
the two girls They had received her doubtingly if not coolly and nothing
beyond the merest commonplace had been talked almost all the time till just
at last when Mrs Martins saying all of a sudden that she thought Miss Smith
was grown had brought on a more interesting subject and a warmer manner In
that very room she had been measured last September with her two friends There
were the pencilled marks and memorandums on the wainscot by the window He had
done it They all seemed to remember the day the hour the party the occasion
to feel the same consciousness, the same regrets to be ready to return to
the same good understanding and they were just growing again like themselves
Harriet as Emma must suspect as ready as the best of them to be cordial and
happy when the carriage reappeared and all was over The style of the visit
and the shortness of it were then felt to be decisive Fourteen minutes to be
given to those with whom she had thankfully passed six weeks not six months ago
Emma could not but picture it all and feel how justly they might resent how
naturally Harriet must suffer It was a bad business She would have given a
great deal or endured a great deal to have had the Martins in a higher rank of
life They were so deserving that a little higher should have been enough but
as it was how could she have done otherwise Impossible She could not
repent They must be separated but there was a great deal of pain in the
process so much to herself at this time that she soon felt the necessity of a
little consolation and resolved on going home by way of Randalls to procure it
Her mind was quite sick of Mr Elton and the Martins The refreshment of
Randalls was absolutely necessary
It was a good scheme but on driving to the door they heard that neither
»master nor mistress was at home« they had both been out some time the man
believed they were gone to Hartfield
»This is too bad« cried Emma as they turned away »And now we shall just
miss them too provoking I do not know when I have been so disappointed« And
she leaned back in the corner to indulge her murmurs or to reason them away
probably a little of both such being the commonest process of a not
illdisposed mind Presently the carriage stopt she looked up it was stopt by
Mr and Mrs Weston who were standing to speak to her There was instant
pleasure in the sight of them and still greater pleasure was conveyed in sound
for Mr Weston immediately accosted her with
»How dye do how dye do We have been sitting with your father glad
to see him so well Frank comes tomorrow I had a letter this morning we see
him tomorrow by dinner time to a certainty he is at Oxford today and he
comes for a whole fortnight I knew it would be so If he had come at Christmas
he could not have staid three days I was always glad he did not come at
Christmas now we are going to have just the right weather for him fine dry
settled weather We shall enjoy him completely every thing has turned out
exactly as we could wish«
There was no resisting such news no possibility of avoiding the influence
of such a happy face as Mr Westons confirmed as it all was by the words and
the countenance of his wife fewer and quieter but not less to the purpose To
know that she thought his coming certain was enough to make Emma consider it so
and sincerely did she rejoice in their joy It was a most delightful
reanimation of exhausted spirits The wornout past was sunk in the freshness
of what was coming and in the rapidity of half a moments thought she hoped
Mr Elton would now be talked of no more
Mr Weston gave her the history of the engagements at Enscombe which
allowed his son to answer for having an entire fortnight at his command as well
as the route and the method of his journey and she listened and smiled and
congratulated
»I shall soon bring him over to Hartfield« said he at the conclusion
Emma could imagine she saw a touch of the arm at this speech from his wife
»We had better move on Mr Weston« said she »we are detaining the girls«
»Well well I am ready« and turning again to Emma »but you must not be
expecting such a very fine young man you have only had my account you know I
dare say he is really nothing extraordinary« though his own sparkling eyes at
the moment were speaking a very different conviction
Emma could look perfectly unconscious and innocent and answer in a manner
that appropriated nothing
»Think of me tomorrow my dear Emma about four oclock« was Mrs Westons
parting injunction spoken with some anxiety and meant only for her
»Four oclock depend upon it he will be here by three« was Mr Westons
quick amendment and so ended a most satisfactory meeting Emmas spirits were
mounted quite up to happiness every thing wore a different air James and his
horses seemed not half so sluggish as before When she looked at the hedges she
thought the elder at least must soon be coming out and when she turned round to
Harriet she saw something like a look of spring a tender smile even there
»Will Mr Frank Churchill pass through Bath as well as Oxford« was a
question however which did not augur much
But neither geography nor tranquillity could come all at once and Emma was
now in a humour to resolve that they should both come in time
The morning of the interesting day arrived and Mrs Westons faithful pupil
did not forget either at ten or eleven or twelve oclock that she was to
think of her at four
»My dear dear anxious friend« said she in mental soliloquy while
walking down stairs from her own room »always overcareful for every bodys
comfort but your own I see you now in all your little fidgets going again and
again into his room to be sure that all is right« The clock struck twelve as
she passed through the hall »Tis twelve I shall not forget to think of you
four hours hence and by this time tomorrow perhaps or a little later I may
be thinking of the possibility of their all calling here I am sure they will
bring him soon«
She opened the parlour door and saw two gentlemen sitting with her father
Mr Weston and his son They had been arrived only a few minutes and Mr Weston
had scarcely finished his explanation of Franks being a day before his time
and her father was yet in the midst of his very civil welcome and
congratulations when she appeared to have her share of surprize introduction
and pleasure
The Frank Churchill so long talked of so high in interest was actually
before her he was presented to her and she did not think too much had been
said in his praise he was a very good looking young man height air address
all were unexceptionable and his countenance had a great deal of the spirit and
liveliness of his fathers he looked quick and sensible She felt immediately
that she should like him and there was a wellbred ease of manner and a
readiness to talk which convinced her that he came intending to be acquainted
with her and that acquainted they soon must be
He had reached Randalls the evening before She was pleased with the
eagerness to arrive which had made him alter his plan and travel earlier
later and quicker that he might gain half a day
»I told you yesterday« cried Mr Weston with exultation »I told you all
that he would be here before the time named I remembered what I used to do
myself One cannot creep upon a journey one cannot help getting on faster than
one has planned and the pleasure of coming in upon ones friends before the
lookout begins is worth a great deal more than any little exertion it needs«
»It is a great pleasure where one can indulge in it« said the young man
»though there are not many houses that I should presume on so far but in coming
home I felt I might do any thing.«
The word home made his father look on him with fresh complacency Emma was
directly sure that he knew how to make himself agreeable the conviction was
strengthened by what followed He was very much pleased with Randalls thought
it a most admirably arranged house would hardly allow it even to be very small
admired the situation the walk to Highbury Highbury itself Hartfield still
more and professed himself to have always felt the sort of interest in the
country which none but ones own country gives and the greatest curiosity to
visit it That he should never have been able to indulge so amiable a feeling
before passed suspiciously through Emmas brain but still if it were a
falsehood it was a pleasant one and pleasantly handled His manner had no air
of study or exaggeration He did really look and speak as if in a state of no
common enjoyment
Their subjects in general were such as belong to an opening acquaintance On
his side were the inquiries »Was she a horsewoman Pleasant rides
Pleasant walks Had they a large neighbourhood Highbury perhaps afforded
society enough There were several very pretty houses in and about it Balls
had they balls Was it a musical society«
But when satisfied on all these points and their acquaintance
proportionably advanced he contrived to find an opportunity while their two
fathers were engaged with each other of introducing his motherinlaw and
speaking of her with so much handsome praise so much warm admiration so much
gratitude for the happiness she secured to his father and her very kind
reception of himself as was an additional proof of his knowing how to please
and of his certainly thinking it worth while to try to please her He did not
advance a word of praise beyond what she knew to be thoroughly deserved by Mrs
Weston but undoubtedly he could know very little of the matter He understood
what would be welcome he could be sure of little else »His fathers marriage«
he said »had been the wisest measure every friend must rejoice in it and the
family from whom he had received such a blessing must be ever considered as
having conferred the highest obligation on him«
He got as near as he could to thanking her for Miss Taylors merits without
seeming quite to forget that in the common course of things it was to be rather
supposed that Miss Taylor had formed Miss Woodhouses character than Miss
Woodhouse Miss Taylors And at last as if resolved to qualify his opinion
completely for travelling round to its object, he wound it all up with
astonishment at the youth and beauty of her person
»Elegant agreeable manners I was prepared for« said he »but I confess
that considering every thing I had not expected more than a very tolerably
welllooking woman of a certain age I did not know that I was to find a pretty
young woman in Mrs Weston«
»You cannot see too much perfection in Mrs Weston for my feelings« said
Emma »were you to guess her to be eighteen I should listen with pleasure but
she would be ready to quarrel with you for using such words Dont let her
imagine that you have spoken of her as a pretty young woman«
»I hope I should know better« he replied »no depend upon it with a
gallant bow that in addressing Mrs Weston I should understand whom I might
praise without any danger of being thought extravagant in my terms«
Emma wondered whether the same suspicion of what might be expected from
their knowing each other which had taken strong possession of her mind had
ever crossed his and whether his compliments were to be considered as marks of
acquiescence or proofs of defiance She must see more of him to understand his
ways at present she only felt they were agreeable
She had no doubt of what Mr Weston was often thinking about His quick eye
she detected again and again glancing towards them with a happy expression and
even when he might have determined not to look she was confident that he was
often listening
Her own fathers perfect exemption from any thought of the kind the entire
deficiency in him of all such sort of penetration or suspicion was a most
comfortable circumstance Happily he was not farther from approving matrimony
than from foreseeing it Though always objecting to every marriage that was
arranged he never suffered beforehand from the apprehension of any it seemed
as if he could not think so ill of any two persons understanding as to suppose
they meant to marry till it were proved against them She blessed the favouring
blindness He could now without the drawback of a single unpleasant surmise
without a glance forward at any possible treachery in his guest give way to all
his natural kindhearted civility in solicitous inquiries after Mr Frank
Churchills accommodation on his journey through the sad evils of sleeping two
nights on the road and express very genuine unmixed anxiety to know that he had
certainly escaped catching cold which however he could not allow him to feel
quite assured of himself till after another night
A reasonable visit paid Mr Weston began to move »He must be going He
had business at the Crown about his hay and a great many errands for Mrs
Weston at Fords but he need not hurry any body else« His son too well bred
to hear the hint rose immediately also saying
»As you are going farther on business sir I will take the opportunity of
paying a visit which must be paid some day or other and therefore may as well
be paid now I have the honour of being acquainted with a neighbour of yours
turning to Emma a lady residing in or near Highbury a family of the name of
Fairfax I shall have no difficulty I suppose in finding the house though
Fairfax I believe is not the proper name I should rather say Barnes or
Bates Do you know any family of that name«
»To be sure we do« cried his father »Mrs Bates we passed her house I
saw Miss Bates at the window True true you are acquainted with Miss Fairfax
I remember you knew her at Weymouth and a fine girl she is Call upon her by
all means«
»There is no necessity for my calling this morning« said the young man
»another day would do as well but there was that degree of acquaintance at
Weymouth which«
»Oh go today go today Do not defer it What is right to be done cannot
be done too soon And besides I must give you a hint Frank any want of
attention to her here should be carefully avoided You saw her with the
Campbells when she was the equal of every body she mixed with but here she is
with a poor old grandmother who has barely enough to live on If you do not
call early it will be a slight«
The son looked convinced
»I have heard her speak of the acquaintance« said Emma »she is a very
elegant young woman«
He agreed to it but with so quiet a »Yes« as inclined her almost to doubt
his real concurrence and yet there must be a very distinct sort of elegance for
the fashionable world if Jane Fairfax could be thought only ordinarily gifted
with it
»If you were never particularly struck by her manners before« said she »I
think you will today You will see her to advantage see her and hear her no
I am afraid you will not hear her at all for she has an aunt who never holds
her tongue«
»You are acquainted with Miss Jane Fairfax sir are you« said Mr
Woodhouse always the last to make his way in conversation »then give me leave
to assure you that you will find her a very agreeable young lady She is staying
here on a visit to her grandmamma and aunt very worthy people I have known
them all my life They will be extremely glad to see you I am sure and one of
my servants shall go with you to shew you the way«
»My dear sir upon no account in the world my father can direct me«
»But your father is not going so far he is only going to the Crown quite
on the other side of the street and there are a great many houses you might be
very much at a loss and it is a very dirty walk unless you keep on the
footpath but my coachman can tell you where you had best cross the street«
Mr Frank Churchill still declined it looking as serious as he could and
his father gave his hearty support by calling out »My good friend this is
quite unnecessary Frank knows a puddle of water when he sees it and as to Mrs
Batess he may get there from the Crown in a hop step and jump«
They were permitted to go alone and with a cordial nod from one and a
graceful bow from the other the two gentlemen took leave Emma remained very
well pleased with this beginning of the acquaintance and could now engage to
think of them all at Randalls any hour of the day with full confidence in their
comfort
Chapter VI
The next morning brought Mr Frank Churchill again He came with Mrs Weston to
whom and to Highbury he seemed to take very cordially He had been sitting with
her it appeared most companionably at home till her usual hour of exercise
and on being desired to chuse their walk immediately fixed on Highbury »He
did not doubt there being very pleasant walks in every direction but if left to
him he should always chuse the same Highbury that airy cheerful
happylooking Highbury would be his constant attraction« Highbury with Mrs
Weston stood for Hartfield and she trusted to its bearing the same
construction with him They walked thither directly
Emma had hardly expected them for Mr Weston who had called in for half a
minute in order to hear that his son was very handsome knew nothing of their
plans and it was an agreeable surprize to her therefore to perceive them
walking up to the house together arm in arm She was wanting to see him again
and especially to see him in company with Mrs Weston upon his behaviour to
whom her opinion of him was to depend If he were deficient there nothing
should make amends for it But on seeing them together she became perfectly
satisfied It was not merely in fine words or hyperbolical compliment that he
paid his duty nothing could be more proper or pleasing than his whole manner to
her nothing could more agreeably denote his wish of considering her as a
friend and securing her affection And there was time enough for Emma to form a
reasonable judgment as their visit included all the rest of the morning They
were all three walking about together for an hour or two first round the
shrubberies of Hartfield and afterwards in Highbury He was delighted with
every thing admired Hartfield sufficiently for Mr Woodhouses ear and when
their going farther was resolved on confessed his wish to be made acquainted
with the whole village and found matter of commendation and interest much
oftener than Emma could have supposed
Some of the objects of his curiosity spoke very amiable feelings He begged
to be shewn the house which his father had lived in so long and which had been
the home of his fathers father and on recollecting that an old woman who had
nursed him was still living walked in quest of her cottage from one end of the
street to the other and though in some points of pursuit or observation there
was no positive merit they shewed altogether a goodwill towards Highbury in
general which must be very like a merit to those he was with
Emma watched and decided that with such feelings as were now shewn it
could not be fairly supposed that he had been ever voluntarily absenting
himself that he had not been acting a part or making a parade of insincere
professions and that Mr Knightley certainly had not done him justice
Their first pause was at the Crown Inn an inconsiderable house though the
principal one of the sort where a couple of pair of posthorses were kept more
for the convenience of the neighbourhood than from any run on the road and his
companions had not expected to be detained by any interest excited there but in
passing it they gave the history of the large room visibly added it had been
built many years ago for a ballroom and while the neighbourhood had been in a
particularly populous dancing state had been occasionally used as such but
such brilliant days had long passed away and now the highest purpose for which
it was ever wanted was to accommodate a whist club established among the
gentlemen and halfgentlemen of the place He was immediately interested Its
character as a ballroom caught him and instead of passing on he stopt for
several minutes at the two superior sashed windows which were open to look in
and contemplate its capabilities and lament that its original purpose should
have ceased He saw no fault in the room he would acknowledge none which they
suggested No it was long enough broad enough handsome enough It would hold
the very number for comfort They ought to have balls there at least every
fortnight through the winter Why had not Miss Woodhouse revived the former good
old days of the room She who could do any thing in Highbury The want of
proper families in the place and the conviction that none beyond the place and
its immediate environs could be tempted to attend were mentioned but he was
not satisfied He could not be persuaded that so many goodlooking houses as he
saw around him could not furnish numbers enough for such a meeting and even
when particulars were given and families described he was still unwilling to
admit that the inconvenience of such a mixture would be any thing, or that there
would be the smallest difficulty in every bodys returning into their proper
place the next morning He argued like a young man very much bent on dancing
and Emma was rather surprized to see the constitution of the Weston prevail so
decidedly against the habits of the Churchills He seemed to have all the life
and spirit cheerful feelings and social inclinations of his father and
nothing of the pride or reserve of Enscombe Of pride indeed there was
perhaps scarcely enough his indifference to a confusion of rank bordered too
much on inelegance of mind He could be no judge however of the evil he was
holding cheap It was but an effusion of lively spirits
At last he was persuaded to move on from the front of the Crown and being
now almost facing the house where the Bateses lodged Emma recollected his
intended visit the day before and asked him if he had paid it
»Yes oh yes he replied I was just going to mention it A very
successful visit I saw all the three ladies and felt very much obliged to
you for your preparatory hint If the talking aunt had taken me quite by
surprize it must have been the death of me As it was I was only betrayed into
paying a most unreasonable visit Ten minutes would have been all that was
necessary perhaps all that was proper and I had told my father I should
certainly be at home before him but there was no getting away no pause and
to my utter astonishment I found when he finding me no where else joined me
there at last that I had been actually sitting with them very nearly three
quarters of an hour The good lady had not given me the possibility of escape
before«
»And how did you think Miss Fairfax looking«
»Ill very ill that is if a young lady can ever be allowed to look ill
But the expression is hardly admissible Mrs Weston is it Ladies can never
look ill And seriously Miss Fairfax is naturally so pale as almost always to
give the appearance of ill health A most deplorable want of complexion«
Emma would not agree to this and began a warm defence of Miss Fairfaxs
complexion »It was certainly never brilliant but she would not allow it to
have a sickly hue in general and there was a softness and delicacy in her skin
which gave peculiar elegance to the character of her face« He listened with all
due deference acknowledged that he had heard many people say the same but yet
he must confess that to him nothing could make amends for the want of the fine
glow of health Where features were indifferent a fine complexion gave beauty
to them all and where they were good the effect was fortunately he need not
attempt to describe what the effect was
»Well« said Emma »there is no disputing about taste At least you admire
her except her complexion«
He shook his head and laughed »I cannot separate Miss Fairfax and her
complexion«
»Did you see her often at Weymouth Were you often in the same society«
At this moment they were approaching Fords and he hastily exclaimed »Ha
this must be the very shop that every body attends every day of their lives as
my father informs me He comes to Highbury himself he says six days out of the
seven and has always business at Fords If it be not inconvenient to you pray
let us go in that I may prove myself to belong to the place to be a true
citizen of Highbury I must buy something at Fords It will be taking out my
freedom I dare say they sell gloves«
»Oh yes gloves and every thing I do admire your patriotism You will be
adored in Highbury You were very popular before you came because you were Mr
Westons son but lay out halfaguinea at Fords and your popularity will
stand upon your own virtues«
They went in and while the sleek welltied parcels of Mens Beavers and
York Tan were bringing down and displaying on the counter he said »But I beg
your pardon Miss Woodhouse you were speaking to me you were saying something
at the very moment of this burst of my amor patrice Do not let me lose it I
assure you the utmost stretch of public fame would not make me amends for the
loss of any happiness in private life«
»I merely asked whether you had known much of Miss Fairfax and her party at
Weymouth«
»And now that I understand your question I must pronounce it to be a very
unfair one It is always the ladys right to decide on the degree of
acquaintance Miss Fairfax must already have given her account I shall not
commit myself by claiming more than she may chuse to allow«
»Upon my word you answer as discreetly as she could do herself But her
account of every thing leaves so much to be guessed she is so very reserved so
very unwilling to give the least information about any body that I really think
you may say what you like of your acquaintance with her«
»May I indeed Then I will speak the truth and nothing suits me so well
I met her frequently at Weymouth I had known the Campbells a little in town
and at Weymouth we were very much in the same set Col Campbell is a very
agreeable man and Mrs Campbell a friendly warmhearted woman I like them
all«
»You know Miss Fairfaxs situation in life I conclude what she is destined
to be«
»Yes rather hesitatingly I believe I do«
»You get upon delicate subjects Emma« said Mrs Weston smiling »remember
that I am here Mr Frank Churchill hardly knows what to say when you speak of
Miss Fairfaxs situation in life I will move a little farther off«
»I certainly do forget to think of her« said Emma »as having ever been any
thing but my friend and my dearest friend«
He looked as if he fully understood and honoured such a sentiment
When the gloves were bought and they had quitted the shop again »Did you
ever hear the young lady we were speaking of play« said Frank Churchill
»Ever hear her« repeated Emma »You forget how much she belongs to
Highbury I have heard her every year of our lives since we both began She
plays charmingly«
»You think so do you I wanted the opinion of some one who could really
judge She appeared to me to play well that is with considerable taste but I
know nothing of the matter myself I am excessively fond of music but without
the smallest skill or right of judging of any bodys performance I have been
used to hear hers admired and I remember one proof of her being thought to
play well a man a very musical man and in love with another woman engaged
to her on the point of marriage would yet never ask that other woman to sit
down to the instrument if the lady in question could sit down instead never
seemed to like to hear one if he could hear the other That I thought in a man
of known musical talent was some proof«
»Proof indeed« said Emma highly amused »Mr Dixon is very musical is
he We shall know more about them all in half an hour from you than Miss
Fairfax would have vouchsafed in half a year«
»Yes Mr Dixon and Miss Campbell were the persons and I thought it a very
strong proof«
»Certainly very strong it was to own the truth a great deal stronger
than if I had been Miss Campbell would have been at all agreeable to me I
could not excuse a mans having more music than love more ear than eye a
more acute sensibility to fine sounds than to my feelings How did Miss Campbell
appear to like it«
»It was her very particular friend you know«
»Poor comfort« said Emma laughing »One would rather have a stranger
preferred than ones very particular friend with a stranger it might not recur
again but the misery of having a very particular friend always at hand to do
every thing better than one does oneself Poor Mrs Dixon Well I am glad she
is gone to settle in Ireland«
»You are right It was not very flattering to Miss Campbell but she really
did not seem to feel it«
»So much the better or so much the worse I do not know which But be
it sweetness or be it stupidity in her quickness of friendship or dulness of
feeling there was one person I think who must have felt it Miss Fairfax
herself She must have felt the improper and dangerous distinction«
»As to that I do not «
»Oh do not imagine that I expect an account of Miss Fairfaxs sensations
from you or from any body else They are known to no human being I guess but
herself But if she continued to play whenever she was asked by Mr Dixon one
may guess what one chuses«
»There appeared such a perfectly good understanding among them all « he
began rather quickly but checking himself added »however it is impossible
for me to say on what terms they really were how it might all be behind the
scenes I can only say that there was smoothness outwardly But you who have
known Miss Fairfax from a child must be a better judge of her character and of
how she is likely to conduct herself in critical situations than I can be«
»I have known her from a child undoubtedly we have been children and women
together and it is natural to suppose that we should be intimate that we
should have taken to each other whenever she visited her friends But we never
did I hardly know how it has happened a little perhaps from that wickedness
on my side which was prone to take disgust towards a girl so idolized and so
cried up as she always was by her aunt and grandmother and all their set And
then her reserve I never could attach myself to any one so completely
reserved«
»It is a most repulsive quality indeed« said he »Oftentimes very
convenient no doubt but never pleasing There is safety in reserve but no
attraction One cannot love a reserved person«
»Not till the reserve ceases towards oneself and then the attraction may be
the greater But I must be more in want of a friend or an agreeable companion
than I have yet been to take the trouble of conquering any bodys reserve to
procure one Intimacy between Miss Fairfax and me is quite out of the question
I have no reason to think ill of her not the least except that such extreme
and perpetual cautiousness of word and manner such a dread of giving a distinct
idea about any body is apt to suggest suspicions of there being something to
conceal«
He perfectly agreed with her and after walking together so long and
thinking so much alike Emma felt herself so well acquainted with him that she
could hardly believe it to be only their second meeting He was not exactly what
she had expected less of the man of the world in some of his notions less of
the spoiled child of fortune therefore better than she had expected His ideas
seemed more moderate his feelings warmer She was particularly struck by his
manner of considering Mr Eltons house which as well as the church he would
go and look at and would not join them in finding much fault with No he could
not believe it a bad house not such a house as a man was to be pitied for
having If it were to be shared with the woman he loved he could not think any
man to be pitied for having that house There must be ample room in it for every
real comfort The man must be a blockhead who wanted more
Mrs Weston laughed and said he did not know what he was talking about
Used only to a large house himself and without ever thinking how many
advantages and accommodations were attached to its size he could be no judge of
the privations inevitably belonging to a small one But Emma in her own mind
determined that he did know what he was talking about and that he shewed a very
amiable inclination to settle early in life and to marry from worthy motives
He might not be aware of the inroads on domestic peace to be occasioned by no
housekeepers room or a bad butlers pantry but no doubt he did perfectly feel
that Enscombe could not make him happy and that whenever he were attached he
would willingly give up much of wealth to be allowed an early establishment
Chapter VII
Emmas very good opinion of Frank Churchill was a little shaken the following
day by hearing that he was gone off to London merely to have his hair cut A
sudden freak seemed to have seized him at breakfast and he had sent for a
chaise and set off intending to return to dinner but with no more important
view that appeared than having his hair cut There was certainly no harm in his
travelling sixteen miles twice over on such an errand but there was an air of
foppery and nonsense in it which she could not approve It did not accord with
the rationality of plan the moderation in expense or even the unselfish warmth
of heart which she had believed herself to discern in him yesterday Vanity
extravagance love of change restlessness of temper which must be doing
something good or bad heedlessness as to the pleasure of his father and Mrs
Weston indifference as to how his conduct might appear in general he became
liable to all these charges His father only called him a coxcomb and thought
it a very good story but that Mrs Weston did not like it was clear enough by
her passing it over as quickly as possible and making no other comment than
that »all young people would have their little whims«
With the exception of this little blot Emma found that his visit hitherto
had given her friend only good ideas of him Mrs Weston was very ready to say
how attentive and pleasant a companion he made himself how much she saw to
like in his disposition altogether He appeared to have a very open temper
certainly a very cheerful and lively one she could observe nothing wrong in his
notions a great deal decidedly right he spoke of his uncle with warm regard
was fond of talking of him said he would be the best man in the world if he
were left to himself and though there was no being attached to the aunt he
acknowledged her kindness with gratitude and seemed to mean always to speak of
her with respect This was all very promising and but for such an unfortunate
fancy for having his hair cut there was nothing to denote him unworthy of the
distinguished honour which her imagination had given him the honour if not of
being really in love with her of being at least very near it and saved only by
her own indifference for still her resolution held of never marrying the
honour in short of being marked out for her by all their joint acquaintance
Mr Weston on his side added a virtue to the account which must have some
weight He gave her to understand that Frank admired her extremely thought her
very beautiful and very charming and with so much to be said for him
altogether she found she must not judge him harshly As Mrs Weston observed
»all young people would have their little whims«
There was one person among his new acquaintance in Surry not so leniently
disposed In general he was judged throughout the parishes of Donwell and
Highbury with great candour liberal allowances were made for the little
excesses of such a handsome young man one who smiled so often and bowed so
well but there was one spirit among them not to be softened from its power of
censure by bows or smiles Mr Knightley The circumstance was told him at
Hartfield for the moment he was silent but Emma heard him almost immediately
afterwards say to himself over a newspaper he held in his hand »Hum just the
trifling silly fellow I took him for« She had half a mind to resent but an
instants observation convinced her that it was really said only to relieve his
own feelings and not meant to provoke and therefore she let it pass
Although in one instance the bearers of not good tidings Mr and Mrs
Westons visit this morning was in another respect particularly opportune
Something occurred while they were at Hartfield to make Emma want their advice
and which was still more lucky she wanted exactly the advice they gave
This was the occurrence The Coles had been settled some years in
Highbury and were very good sort of people friendly liberal and
unpretending but on the other hand they were of low origin in trade and
only moderately genteel On their first coming into the country they had lived
in proportion to their income quietly keeping little company and that little
unexpensively but the last year or two had brought them a considerable increase
of means the house in town had yielded greater profits and fortune in general
had smiled on them With their wealth their views increased their want of a
larger house their inclination for more company They added to their house to
their number of servants to their expenses of every sort and by this time
were in fortune and style of living second only to the family at Hartfield
Their love of society and their new diningroom prepared every body for their
keeping dinnercompany and a few parties chiefly among the single men had
already taken place The regular and best families Emma could hardly suppose
they would presume to invite neither Donwell nor Hartfield nor Randalls
Nothing should tempt her to go if they did and she regretted that her fathers
known habits would be giving her refusal less meaning than she could wish The
Coles were very respectable in their way but they ought to be taught that it
was not for them to arrange the terms on which the superior families would visit
them This lesson she very much feared they would receive only from herself
she had little hope of Mr Knightley none of Mr Weston
But she had made up her mind how to meet this presumption so many weeks
before it appeared that when the insult came at last it found her very
differently affected Donwell and Randalls had received their invitation and
none had come for her father and herself and Mrs Westons accounting for it
with »I suppose they will not take the liberty with you they know you do not
dine out« was not quite sufficient She felt that she should like to have had
the power of refusal and afterwards as the idea of the party to be assembled
there consisting precisely of those whose society was dearest to her occurred
again and again she did not know that she might not have been tempted to
accept Harriet was to be there in the evening and the Bateses They had been
speaking of it as they walked about Highbury the day before and Frank Churchill
had most earnestly lamented her absence Might not the evening end in a dance
had been a question of his The bare possibility of it acted as a further
irritation on her spirits and her being left in solitary grandeur even
supposing the omission to be intended as a compliment was but poor comfort
It was the arrival of this very invitation while the Westons were at
Hartfield which made their presence so acceptable for though her first remark
on reading it was that »of course it must be declined« she so very soon
proceeded to ask them what they advised her to do that their advice for her
going was most prompt and successful
She owned that considering every thing she was not absolutely without
inclination for the party The Coles expressed themselves so properly there
was so much real attention in the manner of it so much consideration for her
father »They would have solicited the honour earlier but had been waiting the
arrival of a foldingscreen from London which they hoped might keep Mr
Woodhouse from any draught of air and therefore induce him the more readily to
give them the honour of his company« Upon the whole she was very persuadable
and it being briefly settled among themselves how it might be done without
neglecting his comfort how certainly Mrs Goddard if not Mrs Bates might be
depended on for bearing him company Mr Woodhouse was to be talked into an
acquiescence of his daughters going out to dinner on a day now near at hand
and spending the whole evening away from him As for his going Emma did not
wish him to think it possible the hours would be too late and the party too
numerous He was soon pretty well resigned
»I am not fond of dinner visiting« said he »I never was No more is
Emma Late hours do not agree with us I am sorry Mr and Mrs Cole should have
done it I think it would be much better if they would come in one afternoon
next summer and take their tea with us take us in their afternoon walk which
they might do as our hours are so reasonable and yet get home without being
out in the damp of the evening The dews of a summer evening are what I would
not expose any body to However as they are so very desirous to have dear Emma
dine with them and as you will both be there and Mr Knightley too to take
care of her I cannot wish to prevent it provided the weather be what it ought
neither damp nor cold nor windy« Then turning to Mrs Weston with a look of
gentle reproach »Ah Miss Taylor if you had not married you would have staid
at home with me«
»Well sir« cried Mr Weston »as I took Miss Taylor away it is incumbent
on me to supply her place if I can and I will step to Mrs Goddard in a
moment if you wish it«
But the idea of any thing to be done in a moment was increasing not
lessening Mr Woodhouses agitation The ladies knew better how to allay it Mr
Weston must be quiet and every thing deliberately arranged
With this treatment Mr Woodhouse was soon composed enough for talking as
usual »He should be happy to see Mrs Goddard He had a great regard for Mrs
Goddard and Emma should write a line and invite her James could take the
note But first of all there must be an answer written to Mrs Cole«
»You will make my excuses my dear as civilly as possible You will say
that I am quite an invalid and go no where and therefore must decline their
obliging invitation beginning with my compliments of course But you will do
every thing right I need not tell you what is to be done We must remember to
let James know that the carriage will be wanted on Tuesday I shall have no
fears for you with him We have never been there above once since the new
approach was made but still I have no doubt that James will take you very
safely And when you get there you must tell him at what time you would have
him come for you again and you had better name an early hour You will not like
staying late You will get very tired when tea is over«
»But you would not wish me to come away before I am tired papa«
»Oh no my love but you will soon be tired There will be a great many
people talking at once You will not like the noise«
»But my dear sir« cried Mr Weston »if Emma comes away early it will be
breaking up the party«
»And no great harm if it does« said Mr Woodhouse »The sooner every party
breaks up the better«
»But you do not consider how it may appear to the Coles Emmas going away
directly after tea might be giving offence They are goodnatured people and
think little of their own claims but still they must feel that any bodys
hurrying away is no great compliment and Miss Woodhouses doing it would be
more thought of than any other persons in the room You would not wish to
disappoint and mortify the Coles I am sure sir friendly good sort of people
as ever lived and who have been your neighbours these ten years«
»No upon no account in the world Mr Weston I am much obliged to you for
reminding me I should be extremely sorry to be giving them any pain I know
what worthy people they are Perry tells me that Mr Cole never touches malt
liquor You would not think it to look at him but he is bilious Mr Cole is
very bilious No I would not be the means of giving them any pain My dear
Emma we must consider this I am sure rather than run the risk of hurting Mr
and Mrs Cole you would stay a little longer than you might wish You will not
regard being tired You will be perfectly safe you know among your friends«
»Oh yes papa I have no fears at all for myself and I should have no
scruples of staying as late as Mrs Weston but on your account I am only
afraid of your sitting up for me I am not afraid of your not being exceedingly
comfortable with Mrs Goddard She loves piquet you know but when she is gone
home I am afraid you will be sitting up by yourself instead of going to bed at
your usual time and the idea of that would entirely destroy my comfort You
must promise me not to sit up«
He did on the condition of some promises on her side such as that if she
came home cold she would be sure to warm herself thoroughly if hungry that
she would take something to eat that her own maid should sit up for her and
that Serle and the butler should see that every thing were safe in the house as
usual
Chapter VIII
Frank Churchill came back again and if he kept his fathers dinner waiting it
was not known at Hartfield for Mrs Weston was too anxious for his being a
favourite with Mr Woodhouse to betray any imperfection which could be
concealed
He came back had had his hair cut and laughed at himself with a very good
grace but without seeming really at all ashamed of what he had done He had no
reason to wish his hair longer to conceal any confusion of face no reason to
wish the money unspent to improve his spirits He was quite as undaunted and as
lively as ever and after seeing him Emma thus moralized to herself
»I do not know whether it ought to be so but certainly silly things do
cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way
Wickedness is always wickedness but folly is not always folly It depends
upon the character of those who handle it Mr Knightley he is not a trifling
silly young man If he were he would have done this differently He would
either have gloried in the achievement or been ashamed of it There would have
been either the ostentation of a coxcomb or the evasions of a mind too weak to
defend its own vanities No I am perfectly sure that he is not trifling or
silly«
With Tuesday came the agreeable prospect of seeing him again and for a
longer time than hitherto of judging of his general manners and by inference
of the meaning of his manners towards herself of guessing how soon it might be
necessary for her to throw coldness into her air and of fancying what the
observations of all those might be who were now seeing them together for the
first time
She meant to be very happy in spite of the scene being laid at Mr Coles
and without being able to forget that among the failings of Mr Elton even in
the days of his favour none had disturbed her more than his propensity to dine
with Mr Cole
Her fathers comfort was amply secured Mrs Bates as well as Mrs Goddard
being able to come and her last pleasing duty before she left the house was
to pay her respects to them as they sat together after dinner and while her
father was fondly noticing the beauty of her dress to make the two ladies all
the amends in her power by helping them to large slices of cake and full
glasses of wine for whatever unwilling selfdenial his care of their
constitution might have obliged them to practise during the meal She had
provided a plentiful dinner for them she wished she could know that they had
been allowed to eat it
She followed another carriage to Mr Coles door and was pleased to see
that it was Mr Knightleys for Mr Knightley keeping no horses having little
spare money and a great deal of health activity and independence was too apt
in Emmas opinion to get about as he could and not use his carriage so often
as became the owner of Donwell Abbey She had an opportunity now of speaking her
approbation while warm from her heart for he stopped to hand her out
»This is coming as you should do« said she »like a gentleman I am quite
glad to see you«
He thanked her observing »How lucky that we should arrive at the same
moment for if we had met first in the drawingroom I doubt whether you would
have discerned me to be more of a gentleman than usual You might not have
distinguished how I came by my look or manner«
»Yes I should I am sure I should There is always a look of consciousness
or bustle when people come in a way which they know to be beneath them You
think you carry it off very well I dare say but with you it is a sort of
bravado an air of affected unconcern I always observe it whenever I meet you
under those circumstances Now you have nothing to try for You are not afraid
of being supposed ashamed You are not striving to look taller than any body
else Now I shall really be very happy to walk into the same room with you«
»Nonsensical girl« was his reply but not at all in anger
Emma had as much reason to be satisfied with the rest of the party as with
Mr Knightley She was received with a cordial respect which could not but
please and given all the consequence she could wish for When the Westons
arrived the kindest looks of love the strongest of admiration were for her
from both husband and wife the son approached her with a cheerful eagerness
which marked her as his peculiar object and at dinner she found him seated by
her and as she firmly believed not without some dexterity on his side
The party was rather large as it included one other family a proper
unobjectionable country family whom the Coles had the advantage of naming among
their acquaintance and the male part of Mr Coxs family the lawyer of
Highbury The less worthy females were to come in the evening with Miss Bates
Miss Fairfax and Miss Smith but already at dinner they were too numerous for
any subject of conversation to be general and while politics and Mr Elton were
talked over Emma could fairly surrender all her attention to the pleasantness
of her neighbour The first remote sound to which she felt herself obliged to
attend was the name of Jane Fairfax Mrs Cole seemed to be relating something
of her that was expected to be very interesting She listened and found it well
worth listening to That very dear part of Emma her fancy received an amusing
supply Mrs Cole was telling that she had been calling on Miss Bates and as
soon as she entered the room had been struck by the sight of a pianoforté a
very elegant looking instrument not a grand but a largesized square
pianoforté and the substance of the story the end of all the dialogue which
ensued of surprize and inquiry and congratulations on her side and
explanations on Miss Batess was that this pianoforté had arrived from
Broadwoods the day before to the great astonishment of both aunt and niece
entirely unexpected that at first by Miss Batess account Jane herself was
quite at a loss quite bewildered to think who could possibly have ordered it
but now they were both perfectly satisfied that it could be from only one
quarter of course it must be from Col Campbell
»One can suppose nothing else« added Mrs Cole »and I was only surprized
that there could ever have been a doubt But Jane it seems had a letter from
them very lately and not a word was said about it She knows their ways best
but I should not consider their silence as any reason for their not meaning to
make the present They might chuse to surprize her«
Mrs Cole had many to agree with her every body who spoke on the subject
was equally convinced that it must come from Col Campbell and equally rejoiced
that such a present had been made and there were enough ready to speak to allow
Emma to think her own way and still listen to Mrs Cole
»I declare I do not know when I have heard any thing that has given me more
satisfaction It always has quite hurt me that Jane Fairfax who plays so
delightfully should not have an instrument It seemed quite a shame especially
considering how many houses there are where fine instruments are absolutely
thrown away This is like giving ourselves a slap to be sure and it was but
yesterday I was telling Mr Cole I really was ashamed to look at our new grand
pianoforté in the drawingroom while I do not know one note from another and
our little girls who are but just beginning perhaps may never make any thing
of it and there is poor Jane Fairfax who is mistress of music has not any
thing of the nature of an instrument not even the pitifullest old spinnet in
the world to amuse herself with I was saying this to Mr Cole but yesterday
and he quite agreed with me only he is so particularly fond of music that he
could not help indulging himself in the purchase hoping that some of our good
neighbours might be so obliging occasionally to put it to a better use than we
can and that really is the reason why the instrument was bought or else I am
sure we ought to be ashamed of it We are in great hopes that Miss Woodhouse
may be prevailed with to try it this evening«
Miss Woodhouse made the proper acquiescence and finding that nothing more
was to be entrapped from any communication of Mrs Coles turned to Frank
Churchill
»Why do you smile« said she
»Nay why do you«
»Me I suppose I smile for pleasure at Col Campbells being so rich and
so liberal It is a handsome present«
»Very«
»I rather wonder that it was never made before«
»Perhaps Miss Fairfax has never been staying here so long before«
»Or that he did not give her the use of their own instrument which must
now be shut up in London untouched by any body«
»That is a grand pianoforté and he might think it too large for Mrs
Batess house«
»You may say what you chuse but your countenance testifies that your
thoughts on this subject are very much like mine«
»I do not know I rather believe you are giving me more credit for acuteness
than I deserve I smile because you smile and shall probably suspect whatever I
find you suspect but at present I do not see what there is to question If Col
Campbell is not the person who can be«
»What do you say to Mrs Dixon«
»Mrs Dixon very true indeed I had not thought of Mrs Dixon She must
know as well as her father how acceptable an instrument would be and perhaps
the mode of it the mystery the surprize is more like a young womans scheme
than an elderly mans It is Mrs Dixon I dare say I told you that your
suspicions would guide mine«
»If so you must extend your suspicions and comprehend Mr Dixon in them«
»Mr Dixon Very well Yes I immediately perceive that it must be the
joint present of Mr and Mrs Dixon We were speaking the other day you know
of his being so warm an admirer of her performance«
»Yes and what you told me on that head confirmed an idea which I had
entertained before I do not mean to reflect upon the good intentions of
either Mr Dixon or Miss Fairfax but I cannot help suspecting either that
after making his proposals to her friend he had the misfortune to fall in love
with her or that he became conscious of a little attachment on her side One
might guess twenty things without guessing exactly the right but I am sure
there must be a particular cause for her chusing to come to Highbury instead of
going with the Campbells to Ireland Here she must be leading a life of
privation and penance there it would have been all enjoyment As to the
pretence of trying her native air I look upon that as a mere excuse In the
summer it might have passed but what can any bodys native air do for them in
the months of January February and March Good fires and carriages would be
much more to the purpose in most cases of delicate health and I dare say in
hers I do not require you to adopt all my suspicions though you make so noble
a profession of doing it but I honestly tell you what they are«
»And upon my word they have an air of great probability Mr Dixons
preference of her music to her friends I can answer for being very decided«
»And then he saved her life Did you ever hear of that A waterparty
and by some accident she was falling overboard He caught her«
»He did I was there one of the party«
»Were you really Well But you observed nothing of course for it seems
to be a new idea to you If I had been there I think I should have made some
discoveries«
»I dare say you would but I simple I saw nothing but the fact that Miss
Fairfax was nearly dashed from the vessel and that Mr Dixon caught her It
was the work of a moment And though the consequent shock and alarm was very
great and much more durable indeed I believe it was half an hour before any of
us were comfortable again yet that was too general a sensation for any thing
of peculiar anxiety to be observable I do not mean to say however that you
might not have made discoveries«
The conversation was here interrupted They were called on to share in the
awkwardness of a rather long interval between the courses and obliged to be as
formal and as orderly as the others but when the table was again safely
covered when every corner dish was placed exactly right and occupation and
ease were generally restored Emma said
»The arrival of this pianoforté is decisive with me I wanted to know a
little more and this tells me quite enough Depend upon it we shall soon hear
that it is a present from Mr and Mrs Dixon«
»And if the Dixons should absolutely deny all knowledge of it we must
conclude it to come from the Campbells«
»No I am sure it is not from the Campbells Miss Fairfax knows it is not
from the Campbells or they would have been guessed at first She would not have
been puzzled had she dared fix on them I may not have convinced you perhaps
but I am perfectly convinced myself that Mr Dixon is a principal in the
business«
»Indeed you injure me if you suppose me unconvinced Your reasonings carry
my judgment along with them entirely At first while I supposed you satisfied
that Col Campbell was the giver I saw it only as paternal kindness and
thought it the most natural thing in the world But when you mentioned Mrs
Dixon I felt how much more probable that it should be the tribute of warm
female friendship And now I can see it in no other light than as an offering of
love«
There was no occasion to press the matter farther The conviction seemed
real he looked as if he felt it She said no more other subjects took their
turn and the rest of the dinner passed away the dessert succeeded the
children came in and were talked to and admired amid the usual rate of
conversation a few clever things said a few downright silly but by much the
larger proportion neither the one nor the other nothing worse than every day
remarks dull repetitions old news and heavy jokes
The ladies had not been long in the drawingroom before the other ladies
in their different divisions arrived Emma watched the entrée of her own
particular little friend and if she could not exult in her dignity and grace
she could not only love the blooming sweetness and the artless manner but could
most heartily rejoice in that light cheerful unsentimental disposition which
allowed her so many alleviations of pleasure in the midst of the pangs of
disappointed affection There she sat and who would have guessed how many
tears she had been lately shedding To be in company nicely dressed herself and
seeing others nicely dressed to sit and smile and look pretty and say nothing
was enough for the happiness of the present hour Jane Fairfax did look and move
superior but Emma suspected she might have been glad to change feelings with
Harriet very glad to have purchased the mortification of having loved yes of
having loved even Mr Elton in vain by the surrender of all the dangerous
pleasure of knowing herself beloved by the husband of her friend
In so large a party it was not necessary that Emma should approach her She
did not wish to speak of the pianoforté she felt too much in the secret
herself to think the appearance of curiosity or interest fair and therefore
purposely kept at a distance but by the others the subject was almost
immediately introduced and she saw the blush of consciousness with which
congratulations were received the blush of guilt which accompanied the name of
my excellent friend Col Campbell
Mrs Weston kindhearted and musical was particularly interested by the
circumstance and Emma could not help being amused at her perseverance in
dwelling on the subject and having so much to ask and to say as to tone touch
and pedal totally unsuspicious of that wish of saying as little about it as
possible which she plainly read in the fair heroines countenance
They were soon joined by some of the gentlemen and the very first of the
early was Frank Churchill In he walked the first and the handsomest and after
paying his compliments en passant to Miss Bates and her niece made his way
directly to the opposite side of the circle where sat Miss Woodhouse and till
he could find a seat by her would not sit at all Emma divined what every body
present must be thinking She was his object and every body must perceive it
She introduced him to her friend Miss Smith and at convenient moments
afterwards heard what each thought of the other »He had never seen so lovely a
face and was delighted with her naïveté« And she »Only to be sure it was
paying him too great a compliment but she did think there were some looks a
little like Mr Elton« Emma restrained her indignation and only turned from
her in silence
Smiles of intelligence passed between her and the gentleman on first
glancing towards Miss Fairfax but it was most prudent to avoid speech He told
her that he had been impatient to leave the diningroom hated sitting long
was always the first to move when he could that his father Mr Knightley Mr
Cox and Mr Cole were left very busy over parish business that as long as he
had staid however it had been pleasant enough as he found them in general a
set of gentlemenlike sensible men and spoke so handsomely of Highbury
altogether thought it so abundant in agreeable families that Emma began to
feel she had been used to despise the place rather too much She questioned him
as to the society in Yorkshire the extent of the neighbourhood about Enscombe
and the sort and could make out from his answers that as far as Enscombe was
concerned there was very little going on that their visitings were among a
range of great families none very near and that even when days were fixed and
invitations accepted it was an even chance that Mrs Churchill were not in
health or spirits for going that they made a point of visiting no fresh person
and that though he had his separate engagements it was not without difficulty
without considerable address at times that he could get away or introduce an
acquaintance for a night
She saw that Enscombe could not satisfy and that Highbury taken in its
best might reasonably please a young man who had more retirement at home than
he liked His importance at Enscombe was very evident He did not boast but it
naturally betrayed itself that he had persuaded his aunt where his uncle could
do nothing and on her laughing and noticing it he owned that he believed
excepting one or two points he could with time persuade her to any thing. One
of those points on which his influence failed he then mentioned He had wanted
very much to go abroad had been very eager indeed to be allowed to travel
but she would not hear of it This had happened the year before Now he said
he was beginning to have no longer the same wish
The unpersuadable point which he did not mention Emma guessed to be good
behaviour to his father
»I have made a most wretched discovery« said he after a short pause »I
have been here a week tomorrow half my time I never knew days fly so fast A
week tomorrow And I have hardly begun to enjoy myself But just got
acquainted with Mrs Weston and others I hate the recollection«
»Perhaps you may now begin to regret that you spent one whole day out of so
few in having your hair cut«
»No« said he smiling »that is no subject of regret at all I have no
pleasure in seeing my friends unless I can believe myself fit to be seen«
The rest of the gentlemen being now in the room Emma found herself obliged
to turn from him for a few minutes and listen to Mr Cole When Mr Cole had
moved away and her attention could be restored as before she saw Frank
Churchill looking intently across the room at Miss Fairfax who was sitting
exactly opposite
»What is the matter« said she
He started »Thank you for rousing me« he replied »I believe I have been
very rude but really Miss Fairfax has done her hair in so odd a way so very
odd a way that I cannot keep my eyes from her I never saw any thing so
outréc Those curls This must be a fancy of her own I see nobody else
looking like her I must go and ask her whether it is an Irish fashion Shall
I Yes I will I declare I will and you shall see how she takes it
whether she colours«
He was gone immediately and Emma soon saw him standing before Miss Fairfax
and talking to her but as to its effect on the young lady as he had
improvidently placed himself exactly between them exactly in front of Miss
Fairfax she could absolutely distinguish nothing
Before he could return to his chair it was taken by Mrs Weston
»This is the luxury of a large party« said she »one can get near every
body and say every thing My dear Emma I am longing to talk to you I have
been making discoveries and forming plans just like yourself and I must tell
them while the idea is fresh Do you know how Miss Bates and her niece came
here«
»How They were invited were not they«
»Oh yes but how they were conveyed hither the manner of their coming«
»They walked I conclude How else could they come«
»Very true Well a little while ago it occurred to me how very sad it
would be to have Jane Fairfax walking home again late at night and cold as the
nights are now And as I looked at her though I never saw her appear to more
advantage it struck me that she was heated and would therefore be particularly
liable to take cold Poor girl I could not bear the idea of it so as soon as
Mr Weston came into the room and I could get at him I spoke to him about the
carriage You may guess how readily he came into my wishes and having his
approbation I made my way directly to Miss Bates to assure her that the
carriage would be at her service before it took us home for I thought it would
be making her comfortable at once Good soul she was as grateful as possible
you may be sure Nobody was ever so fortunate as herself but with many many
thanks there was no occasion to trouble us for Mr Knightleys carriage had
brought and was to take them home again I was quite surprized very glad I
am sure but really quite surprized Such a very kind attention and so
thoughtful an attention the sort of thing that so few men would think of
And in short from knowing his usual ways I am very much inclined to think
that it was for their accommodation the carriage was used at all I do suspect
he would not have had a pair of horses for himself and that it was only as an
excuse for assisting them«
»Very likely« said Emma »nothing more likely I know no man more likely
than Mr Knightley to do the sort of thing to do any thing really
goodnatured useful considerate or benevolent He is not a gallant man but
he is a very humane one and this considering Jane Fairfaxs ill health would
appear a case of humanity to him and for an act of unostentatious kindness
there is nobody whom I would fix on more than on Mr Knightley I know he had
horses today for we arrived together and I laughed at him about it but he
said not a word that could betray«
»Well« said Mrs Weston smiling »you give him credit for more simple
disinterested benevolence in this instance than I do for while Miss Bates was
speaking a suspicion darted into my head and I have never been able to get it
out again The more I think of it the more probable it appears In short I
have made a match between Mr Knightley and Jane Fairfax See the consequence of
keeping you company What do you say to it«
»Mr Knightley and Jane Fairfax« exclaimed Emma »Dear Mrs Weston how
could you think of such a thing Mr Knightley Mr Knightley must not
marry You would not have little Henry cut out from Donwell Oh no no
Henry must have Donwell I cannot at all consent to Mr Knightleys marrying
and I am sure it is not at all likely I am amazed that you should think of such
a thing«
»My dear Emma I have told you what led me to think of it I do not want the
match I do not want to injure dear little Henry but the idea has been given
me by circumstances and if Mr Knightley really wished to marry you would not
have him refrain on Henrys account a boy of six years old who knows nothing
of the matter«
»Yes I would I could not bear to have Henry supplanted Mr Knightley
marry No I have never had such an idea and I cannot adopt it now And Jane
Fairfax too of all women«
»Nay she has always been a first favourite with him as you very well
know«
»But the imprudence of such a match«
»I am not speaking of its prudence merely its probability«
»I see no probability in it unless you have any better foundation than what
you mention His goodnature his humanity as I tell you would be quite enough
to account for the horses He has a great regard for the Bateses you know
independent of Jane Fairfax and is always glad to shew them attention My dear
Mrs Weston do not take to matchmaking You do it very ill Jane Fairfax
mistress of the Abbey Oh no no every feeling revolts For his own sake
I would not have him do so mad a thing«
»Imprudent if you please but not mad Excepting inequality of fortune
and perhaps a little disparity of age I can see nothing unsuitable«
»But Mr Knightley does not want to marry I am sure he has not the least
idea of it Do not put it into his head Why should he marry He is as happy
as possible by himself with his farm and his sheep and his library and all
the parish to manage and he is extremely fond of his brothers children He has
no occasion to marry either to fill up his time or his heart«
»My dear Emma as long as he thinks so it is so but if he really loves
Jane Fairfax «
»Nonsense He does not care about Jane Fairfax In the way of love I am
sure he does not He would do any good to her or her family but «
»Well« said Mrs Weston laughing »perhaps the greatest good he could do
them would be to give Jane such a respectable home«
»If it would be good to her I am sure it would be evil to himself a very
shameful and degrading connection How would he bear to have Miss Bates
belonging to him To have her haunting the Abbey and thanking him all day
long for his great kindness in marrying Jane So very kind and obliging But
he always had been such a very kind neighbour And then fly off through half a
sentence to her mothers old petticoat Not that it was such a very old
petticoat either for still it would last a great while and indeed she must
thankfully say that their petticoats were all very strong«
»For shame Emma Do not mimic her You divert me against my conscience
And upon my word I do not think Mr Knightley would be much disturbed by Miss
Bates Little things do not irritate him She might talk on and if he wanted to
say any thing himself he would only talk louder and drown her voice But the
question is not whether it would be a bad connexion for him but whether he
wishes it and I think he does I have heard him speak and so must you so very
highly of Jane Fairfax The interest he takes in her his anxiety about her
health his concern that she should have no happier prospect I have heard him
express himself so warmly on those points Such an admirer of her performance
on the pianoforté and of her voice I have heard him say that he could listen
to her for ever Oh and I had almost forgotten one idea that occurred to me
this pianoforté that has been sent her by somebody though we have all been so
well satisfied to consider it a present from the Campbells may it not be from
Mr Knightley I cannot help suspecting him I think he is just the person to do
it even without being in love«
»Then it can be no argument to prove that he is in love But I do not think
it is at all a likely thing for him to do Mr Knightley does nothing
mysteriously«
»I have heard him lamenting her having no instrument repeatedly oftener
than I should suppose such a circumstance would in the common course of things
occur to him«
»Very well and if he had intended to give her one he would have told her
so«
»There might be scruples of delicacy my dear Emma I have a very strong
notion that it comes from him I am sure he was particularly silent when Mrs
Cole told us of it at dinner«
»You take up an idea Mrs Weston and run away with it as you have many a
time reproached me with doing I see no sign of attachment I believe nothing
of the pianoforté and proof only shall convince me that Mr Knightley has any
thought of marrying Jane Fairfax«
They combated the point some time longer in the same way Emma rather
gaining ground over the mind of her friend for Mrs Weston was the most used of
the two to yield till a little bustle in the room shewed them that tea was
over and the instrument in preparation and at the same moment Mr Cole
approaching to entreat Miss Woodhouse would do them the honour of trying it
Frank Churchill of whom in the eagerness of her conversation with Mrs Weston
she had been seeing nothing except that he had found a seat by Miss Fairfax
followed Mr Cole to add his very pressing entreaties and as in every
respect it suited Emma best to lead she gave a very proper compliance
She knew the limitations of her own powers too well to attempt more than she
could perform with credit she wanted neither taste nor spirit in the little
things which are generally acceptable and could accompany her own voice well
One accompaniment to her song took her agreeably by surprize a second
slightly but correctly taken by Frank Churchill Her pardon was duly begged at
the close of the song and every thing usual followed He was accused of having
a delightful voice and a perfect knowledge of music which was properly denied
and that he knew nothing of the matter and had no voice at all roundly
asserted They sang together once more and Emma would then resign her place to
Miss Fairfax whose performance both vocal and instrumental she never could
attempt to conceal from herself was infinitely superior to her own
With mixed feelings she seated herself at a little distance from the
numbers round the instrument to listen Frank Churchill sang again They had
sung together once or twice it appeared at Weymouth But the sight of Mr
Knightley among the most attentive soon drew away half Emmas mind and she
fell into a train of thinking on the subject of Mrs Westons suspicions to
which the sweet sounds of the united voices gave only momentary interruptions
Her objections to Mr Knightleys marrying did not in the least subside She
could see nothing but evil in it It would be a great disappointment to Mr John
Knightley consequently to Isabella A real injury to the children a most
mortifying change and material loss to them all a very great deduction from
her fathers daily comfort and as to herself she could not at all endure the
idea of Jane Fairfax at Donwell Abbey A Mrs Knightley for them all to give way
to No Mr Knightley must never marry Little Henry must remain the heir of
Donwell
Presently Mr Knightley looked back and came and sat down by her They
talked at first only of the performance His admiration was certainly very warm
yet she thought but for Mrs Weston it would not have struck her As a sort of
touchstone however she began to speak of his kindness in conveying the aunt
and niece and though his answer was in the spirit of cutting the matter short
she believed it to indicate only his disinclination to dwell on any kindness of
his own
»I often feel concerned« said she »that I dare not make our carriage more
useful on such occasions It is not that I am without the wish but you know how
impossible my father would deem it that James should putto for such a purpose«
»Quite out of the question quite out of the question« he replied »but
you must often wish it I am sure« And he smiled with such seeming pleasure at
the conviction that she must proceed another step
»This present from the Campbells« said she »This pianoforté is very
kindly given«
»Yes« he replied and without the smallest apparent embarrassment »But
they would have done better had they given her notice of it Surprizes are
foolish things The pleasure is not enhanced and the inconvenience is often
considerable I should have expected better judgment in Colonel Campbell«
From that moment Emma could have taken her oath that Mr Knightley had had
no concern in giving the instrument But whether he were entirely free from
peculiar attachment whether there were no actual preference remained a
little longer doubtful Towards the end of Janes second song her voice grew
thick
»That will do« said he when it was finished thinking aloud »You have
sung quite enough for one evening now be quiet«
Another song however was soon begged for »One more they would not
fatigue Miss Fairfax on any account and would only ask for one more« And Frank
Churchill was heard to say »I think you could manage this without effort the
first part is so very trifling The strength of the song falls on the second«
Mr Knightley grew angry
»That fellow« said he indignantly »thinks of nothing but shewing off his
own voice This must not be« And touching Miss Bates who at that moment passed
near »Miss Bates are you mad to let your niece sing herself hoarse in this
manner Go and interfere They have no mercy on her«
Miss Bates in her real anxiety for Jane could hardly stay even to be
grateful before she stept forward and put an end to all further singing Here
ceased the concert part of the evening for Miss Woodhouse and Miss Fairfax were
the only youngladyperformers but soon within five minutes the proposal of
dancing originating nobody exactly knew where was so effectually promoted by
Mr and Mrs Cole that every thing was rapidly clearing away to give proper
space Mrs Weston capital in her countrydances was seated and beginning an
irresistible waltz and Frank Churchill coming up with most becoming gallantry
to Emma had secured her hand and led her up to the top
While waiting till the other young people could pair themselves off Emma
found time in spite of the compliments she was receiving on her voice and her
taste to look about and see what became of Mr Knightley This would be a
trial He was no dancer in general If he were to be very alert in engaging Jane
Fairfax now it might augur something There was no immediate appearance No he
was talking to Mrs Cole he was looking on unconcerned Jane was asked by
somebody else and he was still talking to Mrs Cole
Emma had no longer an alarm for Henry his interest was yet safe and she
led off the dance with genuine spirit and enjoyment Not more than five couple
could be mustered but the rarity and the suddenness of it made it very
delightful and she found herself well matched in a partner They were a couple
worth looking at
Two dances unfortunately were all that could be allowed It was growing
late and Miss Bates became anxious to get home on her mothers account After
some attempts therefore to be permitted to begin again they were obliged to
thank Mrs Weston look sorrowful and have done
»Perhaps it is as well« said Frank Churchill as he attended Emma to her
carriage »I must have asked Miss Fairfax and her languid dancing would not
have agreed with me after yours«
Chapter IX
Emma did not repent her condescension in going to the Coles The visit afforded
her many pleasant recollections the next day and all that she might be supposed
to have lost on the side of dignified seclusion must be amply repaid in the
splendour of popularity She must have delighted the Coles worthy people who
deserved to be made happy And left a name behind her that would not soon die
away
Perfect happiness even in memory is not common and there were two points
on which she was not quite easy She doubted whether she had not transgressed
the duty of woman by woman in betraying her suspicions of Jane Fairfaxs
feelings to Frank Churchill It was hardly right but it had been so strong an
idea that it would escape her and his submission to all that she told was a
compliment to her penetration which made it difficult for her to be quite
certain that she ought to have held her tongue
The other circumstance of regret related also to Jane Fairfax and there she
had no doubt She did unfeignedly and unequivocally regret the inferiority of
her own playing and singing She did most heartily grieve over the idleness of
her childhood and sat down and practised vigorously an hour and a half
She was then interrupted by Harriets coming in and if Harriets praise
could have satisfied her she might soon have been comforted
»Oh if I could but play as well as you and Miss Fairfax«
»Dont class us together Harriet My playing is no more like hers than a
lamp is like sunshine«
»Oh dear I think you play the best of the two I think you play quite as
well as she does I am sure I had much rather hear you Every body last night
said how well you played«
»Those who knew any thing about it must have felt the difference The truth
is Harriet that my playing is just good enough to be praised but Jane
Fairfaxs is much beyond it«
»Well I always shall think that you play quite as well as she does or that
if there is any difference nobody would ever find it out Mr Cole said how much
taste you had and Mr Frank Churchill talked a great deal about your taste and
that he valued taste much more than execution«
»Ah but Jane Fairfax has them both Harriet«
»Are you sure I saw she had execution but I did not know she had any
taste Nobody talked about it And I hate Italian singing There is no
understanding a word of it Besides if she does play so very well you know it
is no more than she is obliged to do because she will have to teach The Coxes
were wondering last night whether she would get into any great family How did
you think the Coxes looked«
»Just as they always do very vulgar«
»They told me something« said Harriet rather hesitatingly »but it is
nothing of any consequence«
Emma was obliged to ask what they had told her though fearful of its
producing Mr Elton
»They told me that Mr Martin dined with them last Saturday«
»Oh«
»He came to their father upon some business and he asked him to stay
dinner«
»Oh«
»They talked a great deal about him especially Anne Cox I do not know what
she meant but she asked me if I thought I should go and stay there again next
summer«
»She meant to be impertinently curious just as such an Anne Cox should be«
»She said he way very agreeable the day he dined there He sat by her at
dinner Miss Nash thinks either of the Coxes would be very glad to marry him«
»Very likely I think they are without exception the most vulgar girls
in Highbury«
Harriet had business at Fords Emma thought it most prudent to go with
her Another accidental meeting with the Martins was possible and in her
present state would be dangerous
Harriet tempted by every thing and swayed by half a word was always very
long at a purchase and while she was still hanging over muslins and changing
her mind Emma went to the door for amusement Much could not be hoped from
the traffic of even the busiest part of Highbury Mr Perry walking hastily
by Mr William Cox letting himself in at the office door Mr Coles carriage
horses returning from exercise or a stray letterboy on an obstinate mule were
the liveliest objects she could presume to expect and when her eyes fell only
on the butcher with his tray a tidy old woman travelling homewards from shop
with her full basket two curs quarrelling over a dirty bone and a string of
dawdling children round the bakers little bowwindow eyeing the gingerbread
she knew she had no reason to complain and was amused enough quite enough
still to stand at the door A mind lively and at ease can do with seeing
nothing and can see nothing that does not answer
She looked down the Randalls road The scene enlarged two persons appeared
Mrs Weston and her soninlaw they were walking into Highbury to Hartfield
of course They were stopping however in the first place at Mrs Batess
whose house was a little nearer Randalls than Fords and had all but knocked
when Emma caught their eye Immediately they crossed the road and came forward
to her and the agreeableness of yesterdays engagement seemed to give fresh
pleasure to the present meeting Mrs Weston informed her that she was going to
call on the Bateses in order to hear the new instrument
»For my companion tells me« said she »that I absolutely promised Miss
Bates last night that I would come this morning I was not aware of it myself
I did not know that I had fixed a day but as he says I did I am going now«
»And while Mrs Weston pays her visit I may be allowed I hope« said Frank
Churchill »to join your party and wait for her at Hartfield if you are going
home«
Mrs Weston was disappointed
»I thought you meant to go with me They would be very much pleased«
»Me I should be quite in the way But perhaps I may be equally in the
way here Miss Woodhouse looks as if she did not want me My aunt always sends
me off when she is shopping She says I fidget her to death and Miss Woodhouse
looks as if she could almost say the same What am I to do«
»I am here on no business of my own« said Emma »I am only waiting for my
friend She will probably have soon done and then we shall go home But you had
better go with Mrs Weston and hear the instrument«
»Well if you advise it But with a smile if Col Campbell should have
employed a careless friend and if it should prove to have an indifferent tone
what shall I say I shall be no support to Mrs Weston She might do very well
by herself A disagreeable truth would be palateable through her lips but I am
the wretchedest being in the world at a civil falsehood«
»I do not believe any such thing« replied Emma »I am persuaded that you
can be as insincere as your neighbours when it is necessary but there is no
reason to suppose the instrument is indifferent Quite otherwise indeed if I
understood Miss Fairfaxs opinion last night«
»Do come with me« said Mrs Weston »if it be not very disagreeable to you
It need not detain us long We will go to Hartfield afterwards We will follow
them to Hartfield I really wish you to call with me It will be felt so great
an attention and I always thought you meant it«
He could say no more and with the hope of Hartfield to reward him returned
with Mrs Weston to Mrs Batess door Emma watched them in and then joined
Harriet at the interesting counter trying with all the force of her own
mind to convince her that if she wanted plain muslin it was of no use to look
at figured and that a blue ribbon be it ever so beautiful would still never
match her yellow pattern At last it was all settled even to the destination of
the parcel
»Should I send it to Mrs Goddards maam« asked Mrs Ford »Yes no
yes to Mrs Goddards Only my pattern gown is at Hartfield No you shall send
it to Hartfield if you please But then Mrs Goddard will want to see it
And I could take the pattern gown home any day But I shall want the ribbon
directly so it had better go to Hartfield at least the ribbon You could
make it into two parcels Mrs Ford could not you«
»It is not worth while Harriet to give Mrs Ford the trouble of two
parcels«
»No more it is«
»No trouble in the world maam« said the obliging Mrs Ford
»Oh but indeed I would much rather have it only in one Then if you
please you shall send it all to Mrs Goddards I do not know No I think
Miss Woodhouse I may just as well have it sent to Hartfield and take it home
with me at night What do you advise«
»That you do not give another halfsecond to the subject To Hartfield if
you please Mrs Ford«
»Aye that will be much best« said Harriet quite satisfied »I should not
at all like to have it sent to Mrs Goddards«
Voices approached the shop or rather one voice and two ladies Mrs Weston
and Miss Bates met them at the door
»My dear Miss Woodhouse« said the latter »I am just run across to entreat
the favour of you to come and sit down with us a little while and give us your
opinion of our new instrument you and Miss Smith How do you do Miss Smith
Very well I thank you And I begged Mrs Weston to come with me that I might
be sure of succeeding«
»I hope Mrs Bates and Miss Fairfax are«
»Very well I am much obliged to you My mother is delightfully well and
Jane caught no cold last night How is Mr Woodhouse I am so glad to hear
such a good account Mrs Weston told me you were here Oh then said I I
must run across I am sure Miss Woodhouse will allow me just to run across and
entreat her to come in my mother will be so very happy to see her and now we
are such a nice party she cannot refuse Aye pray do said Mr Frank
Churchill Miss Woodhouses opinion of the instrument will be worth having
But said I I shall be more sure of succeeding if one of you will go with me
Oh said he wait halfaminute till I have finished my job For would you
believe it Miss Woodhouse there he is in the most obliging manner in the
world fastening in the rivet of my mothers spectacles The rivet came out
you know this morning So very obliging For my mother had no use of her
spectacles could not put them on And by the bye every body ought to have
two pair of spectacles they should indeed Jane said so I meant to take them
over to John Saunders the first thing I did but something or other hindered me
all the morning first one thing then another there is no saying what you
know At one time Patty came to say she thought the kitchen chimney wanted
sweeping Oh said I Patty do not come with your bad news to me Here is the
rivet of your mistresss spectacles out Then the baked apples came home Mrs
Wallis sent them by her boy they are extremely civil and obliging to us the
Wallises always I have heard some people say that Mrs Wallis can be uncivil
and give a very rude answer but we have never known any thing but the greatest
attention from them And it cannot be for the value of our custom now for what
is our consumption of bread you know Only three of us besides dear Jane at
present and she really eats nothing makes such a shocking breakfast you
would be quite frightened if you saw it I dare not let my mother know how
little she eats so I say one thing and then I say another and it passes off
But about the middle of the day she gets hungry and there is nothing she likes
so well as these baked apples and they are extremely wholesome for I took the
opportunity the other day of asking Mr Perry I happened to meet him in the
street Not that I had any doubt before I have so often heard Mr Woodhouse
recommend a baked apple I believe it is the only way that Mr Woodhouse thinks
the fruit thoroughly wholesome We have apple dumplings however very often
Patty makes an excellent appledumpling Well Mrs Weston you have prevailed
I hope and these ladies will oblige us«
Emma would be very happy to wait on Mrs Bates etc and they did at last
move out of the shop with no further delay from Miss Bates than
»How do you do Mrs Ford I beg your pardon I did not see you before I
hear you have a charming collection of new ribbons from town Jane came back
delighted yesterday Thank ye the gloves do very well only a little too large
about the wrist but Jane is taking them in«
»What was I talking of« said she beginning again when they were all in the
street
Emma wondered on what of all the medley she would fix
»I declare I cannot recollect what I was talking of Oh my mothers
spectacles So very obliging of Mr Frank Churchill Oh said he I do think I
can fasten the rivet I like a job of this kind excessively Which you know
shewed him to be so very Indeed I must say that much as I had heard of him
before and much as I had expected he very far exceeds any thing. I do
congratulate you Mrs Weston most warmly He seems every thing the fondest
parent could Oh said he I can fasten the rivet I like a job of that sort
excessively I never shall forget his manner And when I brought out the baked
apples from the closet and hoped our friends would be so very obliging as to
take some Oh said he directly there is nothing in the way of fruit half so
good and these are the finest looking homebaked apples I ever saw in my life
That you know was so very And I am sure by his manner it was no
compliment Indeed they are very delightful apples and Mrs Wallis does them
full justice only we do not have them baked more than twice and Mr Woodhouse
made us promise to have them done three times but Miss Woodhouse will be so
good as not to mention it The apples themselves are the very finest sort for
baking beyond a doubt all from Donwell some of Mr Knightleys most liberal
supply He sends us a sack every year and certainly there never was such a
keeping apple any where as one of his trees I believe there is two of them My
mother says the orchard was always famous in her younger days But I was really
quite shocked the other day for Mr Knightley called one morning and Jane was
eating these apples and we talked about them and said how much she enjoyed
them and he asked whether we were not got to the end of our stock I am sure
you must be said he and I will send you another supply for I have a great
many more than I can ever use William Larkins let me keep a larger quantity
than usual this year I will send you some more before they get good for
nothing So I begged he would not for really as to ours being gone I could
not absolutely say that we had a great many left it was but half a dozen
indeed but they should be all kept for Jane and I could not at all bear that
he should be sending us more so liberal as he had been already and Jane said
the same And when he was gone she almost quarrelled with me No I should not
say quarrelled for we never had a quarrel in our lives but she was quite
distressed that I had owned the apples were so nearly gone she wished I had
made him believe we had a great many left Oh said I my dear I did say as
much as I could However the very same evening William Larkins came over with a
large basket of apples the same sort of apples a bushel at least and I was
very much obliged and went down and spoke to William Larkins and said every
thing as you may suppose William Larkins is such an old acquaintance I am
always glad to see him But however I found afterwards from Patty that
William said it was all the apples of that sort his master had he had brought
them all and now his master had not one left to bake or boil William did not
seem to mind it himself he was so pleased to think his master had sold so many
for William you know thinks more of his masters profit than any thing; but
Mrs Hodges he said was quite displeased at their being all sent away She
could not bear that her master should not be able to have another appletart
this spring He told Patty this but bid her not mind it and be sure not to say
any thing to us about it for Mrs Hodges would be cross sometimes and as long
as so many sacks were sold it did not signify who ate the remainder And so
Patty told me and I was excessively shocked indeed I would not have Mr
Knightley know any thing about it for the world He would be so very I
wanted to keep it from Janes knowledge but unluckily I had mentioned it
before I was aware«
Miss Bates had just done as Patty opened the door and her visitors walked
up stairs without having any regular narration to attend to pursued only by the
sounds of her desultory goodwill
»Pray take care Mrs Weston there is a step at the turning Pray take
care Miss Woodhouse ours is rather a dark staircase rather darker and
narrower than one could wish Miss Smith pray take care Miss Woodhouse I am
quite concerned I am sure you hit your foot Miss Smith the step at the
turning«
Chapter X
The appearance of the little sittingroom as they entered was tranquillity
itself Mrs Bates deprived of her usual employment slumbering on one side of
the fire Frank Churchill at a table near her most deedily occupied about her
spectacles and Jane Fairfax standing with her back to them intent on her
pianoforté
Busy as he was however the young man was yet able to shew a most happy
countenance on seeing Emma again
»This is a pleasure« said he in rather a low voice »coming at least ten
minutes earlier than I had calculated You find me trying to be useful tell me
if you think I shall succeed«
»What« said Mrs Weston »have not you finished it yet you would not earn
a very good livelihood as a workingsilversmith at this rate«
»I have not been working uninterruptedly« he replied »I have been
assisting Miss Fairfax in trying to make her instrument stand steadily it was
not quite firm an unevenness in the floor I believe You see we have been
wedging one leg with paper This was very kind of you to be persuaded to come I
was almost afraid you would be hurrying home«
He contrived that she should be seated by him and was sufficiently employed
in looking out the best baked apple for her and trying to make her help or
advise him in his work till Jane Fairfax was quite ready to sit down to the
pianoforté again That she was not immediately ready Emma did suspect to arise
from the state of her nerves she had not yet possessed the instrument long
enough to touch it without emotion she must reason herself into the power of
performance and Emma could not but pity such feelings whatever their origin
and could not but resolve never to expose them to her neighbour again
At last Jane began and though the first bars were feebly given the powers
of the instrument were gradually done full justice to Mrs Weston had been
delighted before and was delighted again Emma joined her in all her praise
and the pianoforté with every proper discrimination was pronounced to be
altogether of the highest promise
»Whoever Col Campbell might employ« said Frank Churchill with a smile at
Emma »the person has not chosen ill I heard a good deal of Col Campbells
taste at Weymouth and the softness of the upper notes I am sure is exactly what
he and all that party would particularly prize I dare say Miss Fairfax that
he either gave his friend very minute directions or wrote to Broadwood himself
Do not you think so«
Jane did not look round She was not obliged to hear Mrs Weston had been
speaking to her at the same moment
»It is not fair« said Emma in a whisper »mine was a random guess Do not
distress her«
He shook his head with a smile and looked as if he had very little doubt
and very little mercy Soon afterwards he began again
»How much your friends in Ireland must be enjoying your pleasure on this
occasion Miss Fairfax I dare say they often think of you and wonder which
will be the day the precise day of the instruments coming to hand Do you
imagine Col Campbell knows the business to be going forward just at this time
Do you imagine it to be the consequence of an immediate commission from him
or that he may have sent only a general direction an order indefinite as to
time to depend upon contingencies and conveniencies«
He paused She could not but hear she could not avoid answering
»Till I have a letter from Col Campbell« said she in a voice of forced
calmness »I can imagine nothing with any confidence It must be all
conjecture«
»Conjecture aye sometimes one conjectures right and sometimes one
conjectures wrong I wish I could conjecture how soon I shall make this rivet
quite firm What nonsense one talks Miss Woodhouse when hard at work if one
talks at all your real workmen I suppose hold their tongues but we
gentlemen labourers if we get hold of a word Miss Fairfax said something about
conjecturing There it is done I have the pleasure madam to Mrs Bates of
restoring your spectacles healed for the present«
He was very warmly thanked both by mother and daughter to escape a little
from the latter he went to the pianoforté and begged Miss Fairfax who was
still sitting at it to play something more
»If you are very kind« said he »it will be one of the waltzes we danced
last night let me live them over again You did not enjoy them as I did you
appeared tired the whole time I believe you were glad we danced no longer but
I would have given worlds all the worlds one ever has to give for another
half hour«
She played
»What felicity it is to hear a tune again which has made one happy If I
mistake not that was danced at Weymouth«
She looked up at him for a moment coloured deeply and played something
else He took some music from a chair near the pianoforté and turning to Emma
said
»Here is something quite new to me Do you know it Cramer And here are
a new set of Irish melodies That from such a quarter one might expect This
was all sent with the instrument Very thoughtful of Col Campbell was not it
He knew Miss Fairfax could have no music here I honour that part of the
attention particularly it shews it to have been so thoroughly from the heart
Nothing hastily done nothing incomplete True affection only could have
prompted it«
Emma wished he would be less pointed yet could not help being amused and
when on glancing her eye towards Jane Fairfax she caught the remains of a smile
when she saw that with all the deep blush of consciousness, there had been a
smile of secret delight she had less scruple in the amusement and much less
compunction with respect to her This amiable upright perfect Jane Fairfax
was apparently cherishing very reprehensible feelings
He brought all the music to her and they looked it over together Emma
took the opportunity of whispering
»You speak too plain She must understand you«
»I hope she does I would have her understand me I am not in the least
ashamed of my meaning«
»But really I am half ashamed and wish I had never taken up the idea«
»I am very glad you did and that you communicated it to me I have now a
key to all her odd looks and ways Leave shame to her If she does wrong she
ought to feel it«
»She is not entirely without it I think«
»I do not see much sign of it She is playing Robin Adair at this moment
his favourite«
Shortly afterwards Miss Bates passing near the window descried Mr
Knightley on horseback not far off
»Mr Knightley I declare I must speak to him if possible just to thank
him I will not open the window here it would give you all cold but I can go
into my mothers room you know I dare say he will come in when he knows who is
here Quite delightful to have you all meet so Our little room so honoured«
She was in the adjoining chamber while she still spoke and opening the
casement there immediately called Mr Knightleys attention and every syllable
of their conversation was as distinctly heard by the others as if it had passed
within the same apartment
»How dye do how dye do Very well I thank you So obliged to you for
the carriage last night We were just in time my mother just ready for us Pray
come in do come in You will find some friends here«
So began Miss Bates and Mr Knightley seemed determined to be heard in his
turn for most resolutely and commandingly did he say
»How is your niece Miss Bates I want to inquire after you all but
particularly your niece How is Miss Fairfax I hope she caught no cold last
night How is she today Tell me how Miss Fairfax is«
And Miss Bates was obliged to give a direct answer before he would hear her
in any thing else The listeners were amused and Mrs Weston gave Emma a look
of particular meaning But Emma still shook her head in steady scepticism
»So obliged to you so very much obliged to you for the carriage« resumed
Miss Bates
He cut her short with
»I am going to Kingston Can I do any thing for you«
»Oh dear Kingston are you Mrs Cole was saying the other day she
wanted something from Kingston«
»Mrs Cole has servants to send Can I do any thing for you«
»No I thank you But do come in Who do you think is here Miss Woodhouse
and Miss Smith so kind as to call to hear the new pianoforté Do put up your
horse at the Crown and come in«
»Well« said he in a deliberating manner »for five minutes perhaps«
»And here is Mrs Weston and Mr Frank Churchill too Quite delightful so
many friends«
»No not now I thank you I could not stay two minutes I must get on to
Kingston as fast as I can«
»Oh do come in They will be so very happy to see you«
»No no your room is full enough I will call another day and hear the
pianoforté«
»Well I am so sorry Oh Mr Knightley what a delightful party last
night how extremely pleasant Did you ever see such dancing Was not it
delightful Miss Woodhouse and Mr Frank Churchill I never saw any thing
equal to it«
»Oh very delightful indeed I can say nothing less for I suppose Miss
Woodhouse and Mr Frank Churchill are hearing every thing that passes And
raising his voice still more I do not see why Miss Fairfax should not be
mentioned too I think Miss Fairfax dances very well and Mrs Weston is the
very best countrydance player without exception in England Now if your
friends have any gratitude they will say something pretty loud about you and me
in return but I cannot stay to hear it«
»Oh Mr Knightley one moment more something of consequence so shocked
Jane and I are both so shocked about the apples«
»What is the matter now«
»To think of your sending us all your store apples You said you had a great
many and now you have not one left We really are so shocked Mrs Hodges may
well be angry William Larkins mentioned it here You should not have done it
indeed you should not Ah he is off He never can bear to be thanked But I
thought he would have staid now and it would have been a pity not to have
mentioned Well returning into the room I have not been able to
succeed Mr Knightley cannot stop He is going to Kingston He asked me if he
could do any thing«
»Yes« said Jane »we heard his kind offers we heard every thing«
»Oh yes my dear I dare say you might because you know the door was open
and the window was open and Mr Knightley spoke loud You must have heard
everything to be sure Can I do any thing for you at Kingston said he so I
just mentioned Oh Miss Woodhouse must you be going You seem but just
come so very obliging of you«
Emma found it really time to be at home the visit had already lasted long
and on examining watches so much of the morning was perceived to be gone that
Mrs Weston and her companion taking leave also could allow themselves only to
walk with the two young ladies to Hartfield gates before they set off for
Randalls
Chapter XI
It may be possible to do without dancing entirely Instances have been known of
young people passing many many months successively without being at any ball
of any description and no material injury accrue either to body or mind but
when a beginning is made when the felicities of rapid motion have once been
though slightly felt it must be a very heavy set that does not ask for more
Frank Churchill had danced once at Highbury and longed to dance again and
the last half hour of an evening which Mr Woodhouse was persuaded to spend with
his daughter at Randalls was passed by the two young people in schemes on the
subject Franks was the first idea and his the greatest zeal in pursuing it
for the lady was the best judge of the difficulties and the most solicitous for
accommodation and appearance But still she had inclination enough for shewing
people again how delightfully Mr Frank Churchill and Miss Woodhouse danced
for doing that in which she need not blush to compare herself with Jane Fairfax
and even for simple dancing itself without any of the wicked aids of vanity
to assist him first in pacing out the room they were in to see what it could be
made to hold and then in taking the dimensions of the other parlour in the
hope of discovering in spite of all that Mr Weston could say of their exactly
equal size that it was a little the largest
His first proposition and request that the dance begun at Mr Coles should
be finished there that the same party should be collected and the same
musician engaged met with the readiest acquiescence Mr Weston entered into
the idea with thorough enjoyment and Mrs Weston most willingly undertook to
play as long as they could wish to dance and the interesting employment had
followed of reckoning up exactly who there would be and portioning out the
indispensable division of space to every couple
»You and Miss Smith and Miss Fairfax will be three and the two Miss Coxes
five had been repeated many times over And there will be the two Gilberts
young Cox my father and myself besides Mr Knightley Yes that will be quite
enough for pleasure You and Miss Smith and Miss Fairfax will be three and
the two Miss Coxes five and for five couple there will be plenty of room«
But soon it came to be on one side
»But will there be good room for five couple I really do not think there
will«
On another
»And after all five couple are not enough to make it worth while to stand
up Five couple are nothing when one thinks seriously about it It will not do
to invite five couple It can be allowable only as the thought of the moment«
Somebody said that Miss Gilbert was expected at her brothers and must be
invited with the rest Somebody else believed Mrs Gilbert would have danced the
other evening if she had been asked A word was put in for a second young Cox
and at last Mr Weston naming one family of cousins who must be included and
another of very old acquaintance who could not be left out it became a
certainty that the five couple would be at least ten and a very interesting
speculation in what possible manner they could be disposed of
The doors of the two rooms were just opposite each other »Might not they
use both rooms and dance across the passage« It seemed the best scheme and
yet it was not so good but that many of them wanted a better Emma said it would
be awkward Mrs Weston was in distress about the supper and Mr Woodhouse
opposed it earnestly on the score of health It made him so very unhappy
indeed that it could not be persevered in
»Oh no« said he »it would be the extreme of imprudence I could not bear
it for Emma Emma is not strong She would catch a dreadful cold So would
poor little Harriet So you would all Mrs Weston you would be quite laid up
do not let them talk of such a wild thing Pray do not let them talk of it That
young man speaking lower is very thoughtless Do not tell his father but that
young man is not quite the thing He has been opening the doors very often this
evening and keeping them open very inconsiderately He does not think of the
draught I do not mean to set you against him but indeed he is not quite the
thing«
Mrs Weston was sorry for such a charge She knew the importance of it and
said every thing in her power to do it away Every door was now closed the
passage plan given up and the first scheme of dancing only in the room they
were in resorted to again and with such goodwill on Frank Churchills part
that the space which a quarter of an hour before had been deemed barely
sufficient for five couple was now endeavoured to be made out quite enough for
ten
»We were too magnificent« said he »We allowed unnecessary room Ten couple
may stand here very well«
Emma demurred »It would be a crowd a sad crowd and what could be worse
than dancing without space to turn in«
»Very true« he gravely replied »it was very bad« But still he went on
measuring and still he ended with
»I think there will be very tolerable room for ten couple«
»No no« said she »you are quite unreasonable It would be dreadful to be
standing so close Nothing can be farther from pleasure than to be dancing in a
crowd and a crowd in a little room«
»There is no denying it« he replied »I agree with you exactly A crowd in
a little room Miss Woodhouse you have the art of giving pictures in a few
words Exquisite quite exquisite Still however having proceeded so far
one is unwilling to give the matter up It would be a disappointment to my
father and altogether I do not know that I am rather of opinion that ten
couple might stand here very well«
Emma perceived that the nature of his gallantry was a little selfwilled
and that he would rather oppose than lose the pleasure of dancing with her but
she took the compliment and forgave the rest Had she intended ever to marry
him it might have been worth while to pause and consider and try to understand
the value of his preference and the character of his temper but for all the
purposes of their acquaintance he was quite amiable enough
Before the middle of the next day he was at Hartfield and he entered the
room with such an agreeable smile as certified the continuance of the scheme It
soon appeared that he came to announce an improvement
»Well Miss Woodhouse« he almost immediately began »your inclination for
dancing has not been quite frightened away I hope by the terrors of my
fathers little rooms I bring a new proposal on the subject a thought of my
fathers which waits only your approbation to be acted upon May I hope for the
honour of your hand for the two first dances of this little projected ball to
be given not at Randalls but at the Crown Inn«
»The Crown«
»Yes if you and Mr Woodhouse see no objection and I trust you cannot my
father hopes his friends will be so kind as to visit him there Better
accommodations he can promise them and not a less grateful welcome than at
Randalls It is his own idea Mrs Weston sees no objection to it provided you
are satisfied This is what we all feel Oh you were perfectly right Ten
couple in either of the Randalls rooms would have been insufferable
Dreadful I felt how right you were the whole time but was too anxious for
securing any thing to like to yield Is not it a good exchange You consent
I hope you consent«
»It appears to me a plan that nobody can object to if Mr and Mrs Weston
do not I think it admirable and as far as I can answer for myself shall be
most happy It seems the only improvement that could be Papa do you not
think it an excellent improvement«
She was obliged to repeat and explain it before it was fully comprehended
and then being quite new further representations were necessary to make it
acceptable
»No he thought it very far from an improvement a very bad plan much
worse than the other A room at an inn was always damp and dangerous never
properly aired or fit to be inhabited If they must dance they had better
dance at Randalls He had never been in the room at the Crown in his life did
not know the people who kept it by sight Oh no a very bad plan They would
catch worse colds at the Crown than any where«
»I was going to observe sir« said Frank Churchill »that one of the great
recommendations of this change would be the very little danger of any bodys
catching cold so much less danger at the Crown than at Randalls Mr Perry
might have reason to regret the alteration but nobody else could«
»Sir« said Mr Woodhouse rather warmly »you are very much mistaken if you
suppose Mr Perry to be that sort of character Mr Perry is extremely concerned
when any of us are ill But I do not understand how the room at the Crown can be
safer for you than your fathers house«
»From the very circumstance of its being larger sir We shall have no
occasion to open the windows at all not once the whole evening and it is that
dreadful habit of opening the windows letting in cold air upon heated bodies
which as you well know sir does the mischief«
»Open the windows but surely Mr Churchill nobody would think of
opening the windows at Randalls Nobody could be so imprudent I never heard of
such a thing Dancing with open windows I am sure neither your father nor
Mrs Weston poor Miss Taylor that was would suffer it«
»Ah sir but a thoughtless young person will sometimes step behind a
window curtain and throw up a sash without its being suspected I have often
known it done myself«
»Have you indeed sir Bless me I never could have supposed it But I
live out of the world and am often astonished at what I hear However this
does make a difference and perhaps when we come to talk it over but these
sort of things require a good deal of consideration One cannot resolve upon
them in a hurry If Mr and Mrs Weston will be so obliging as to call here one
morning we may talk it over and see what can be done«
»But unfortunately sir my time is so limited «
»Oh« interrupted Emma »there will be plenty of time for talking every
thing over There is no hurry at all If it can be contrived to be at the Crown
papa it will be very convenient for the horses They will be so near their own
stable«
»So they will my dear That is a great thing Not that James ever
complains but it is right to spare our horses when we can If I could be sure
of the rooms being thoroughly aired but is Mrs Stokes to be trusted I doubt
it I do not know her even by sight«
»I can answer for every thing of that nature sir because it will be under
Mrs Westons care Mrs Weston undertakes to direct the whole«
»There papa Now you must be satisfied Our own dear Mrs Weston who is
carefulness itself Do not you remember what Mr Perry said so many years ago
when I had the measles If Miss Taylor undertakes to wrap Miss Emma up you need
not have any fears sir How often have I heard you speak of it as such a
compliment to her«
»Aye very true Mr Perry did say so I shall never forget it Poor little
Emma You were very bad with the measles that is you would have been very bad
but for Perrys great attention He came four times a day for a week He said
from the first it was a very good sort which was our great comfort but the
measles are a dreadful complaint I hope whenever poor Isabellas little ones
have the measles she will send for Perry«
»My father and Mrs Weston are at the Crown at this moment« said Frank
Churchill »examining the capabilities of the house I left them there and came
on to Hartfield impatient for your opinion and hoping you might be persuaded
to join them and give your advice on the spot I was desired to say so from
both It would be the greatest pleasure to them if you could allow me to attend
you there They can do nothing satisfactorily without you«
Emma was most happy to be called to such a council and her father engaging
to think it all over while she was gone the two young people set off together
without delay for the Crown There were Mr and Mrs Weston delighted to see
her and receive her approbation very busy and very happy in their different
way she in some little distress and he finding every thing perfect
»Emma« said she »this paper is worse than I expected Look in places you
see it is dreadfully dirty and the wainscot is more yellow and forlorn than any
thing I could have imagined«
»My dear you are too particular« said her husband »What does all that
signify You will see nothing of it by candlelight It will be as clean as
Randalls by candlelight We never see any thing of it on our clubnights«
The ladies here probably exchanged looks which meant »Men never know when
things are dirty or not« and the gentlemen perhaps thought each to himself
»Women will have their little nonsenses and needless cares«
One perplexity however arose which the gentlemen did not disdain It
regarded a supperroom At the time of the ballrooms being built suppers had
not been in question and a small cardroom adjoining was the only addition
What was to be done This cardroom would be wanted as a cardroom now or if
cards were conveniently voted unnecessary by their four selves still was not it
too small for any comfortable supper Another room of much better size might be
secured for the purpose but it was at the other end of the house and a long
awkward passage must be gone through to get at it This made a difficulty Mrs
Weston was afraid of draughts for the young people in that passage and neither
Emma nor the gentlemen could tolerate the prospect of being miserably crowded at
supper
Mrs Weston proposed having no regular supper merely sandwiches etc set
out in the little room but that was scouted as a wretched suggestion A private
dance without sitting down to supper was pronounced an infamous fraud upon the
rights of men and women and Mrs Weston must not speak of it again She then
took another line of expediency and looking into the doubtful room observed
»I do not think it is so very small We shall not be many you know«
And Mr Weston at the same time walking briskly with long steps through the
passage was calling out
»You talk a great deal of the length of this passage my dear It is a mere
nothing after all and not the least draught from the stairs«
»I wish« said Mrs Weston »one could know which arrangement our guests in
general would like best To do what would be most generally pleasing must be our
object if one could but tell what that would be«
»Yes very true« cried Frank »very true You want your neighbours
opinions I do not wonder at you If one could ascertain what the chief of them
the Coles for instance They are not far off Shall I call upon them Or Miss
Bates She is still nearer And I do not know whether Miss Bates is not as
likely to understand the inclinations of the rest of the people as any body I
think we do want a larger council Suppose I go and invite Miss Bates to join
us«
»Well if you please« said Mrs Weston rather hesitating »if you think
she will be of any use«
»You will get nothing to the purpose from Miss Bates« said Emma »She will
be all delight and gratitude but she will tell you nothing She will not even
listen to your questions I see no advantage in consulting Miss Bates«
»But she is so amusing so extremely amusing I am very fond of hearing Miss
Bates talk And I need not bring the whole family you know«
Here Mr Weston joined them and on hearing what was proposed gave it his
decided approbation
»Aye do Frank Go and fetch Miss Bates and let us end the matter at
once She will enjoy the scheme I am sure and I do not know a properer person
for shewing us how to do away difficulties Fetch Miss Bates We are growing a
little too nice She is a standing lesson of how to be happy But fetch them
both Invite them both«
»Both sir Can the old lady«
»The old lady No the young lady to be sure I shall think you a great
blockhead Frank if you bring the aunt without the niece«
»Oh I beg your pardon sir I did not immediately recollect Undoubtedly if
you wish it I will endeavour to persuade them both« And away he ran
Long before he reappeared attending the short neat briskmoving aunt
and her elegant niece Mrs Weston like a sweettempered woman and a good
wife had examined the passage again and found the evils of it much less than
she had supposed before indeed very trifling and here ended the difficulties
of decision All the rest in speculation at least was perfectly smooth All
the minor arrangements of table and chair lights and music tea and supper
made themselves or were left as mere trifles to be settled at any time between
Mrs Weston and Mrs Stokes Every body invited was certainly to come Frank
had already written to Enscombe to propose staying a few days beyond his
fortnight which could not possibly be refused And a delightful dance it was to
be
Most cordially when Miss Bates arrived did she agree that it must As a
counsellor she was not wanted but as an approver a much safer character she
was truly welcome Her approbation at once general and minute warm and
incessant could not but please and for another halfhour they were all walking
to and fro between the different rooms some suggesting some attending and
all in happy enjoyment of the future The party did not break up without Emmas
being positively secured for the two first dances by the hero of the evening
nor without her overhearing Mr Weston whisper to his wife »He has asked her
my dear Thats right I knew he would«
Chapter XII
One thing only was wanting to make the prospect of the ball completely
satisfactory to Emma its being fixed for a day within the granted term of
Frank Churchills stay in Surry for in spite of Mr Westons confidence she
could not think it so very impossible that the Churchills might not allow their
nephew to remain a day beyond his fortnight But this was not judged feasible
The preparations must take their time nothing could be properly ready till the
third week were entered on and for a few days they must be planning proceeding
and hoping in uncertainty at the risk in her opinion the great risk of its
being all in vain
Enscombe however was gracious gracious in fact if not in word His wish of
staying longer evidently did not please but it was not opposed All was safe
and prosperous and as the removal of one solicitude generally makes way for
another Emma being now certain of her ball began to adopt as the next
vexation Mr Knightleys provoking indifference about it Either because he did
not dance himself or because the plan had been formed without his being
consulted he seemed resolved that it should not interest him determined
against its exciting any present curiosity or affording him any future
amusement To her voluntary communications Emma could get no more approving
reply than
»Very well If the Westons think it worth while to be at all this trouble
for a few hours of noisy entertainment I have nothing to say against it but
that they shall not choose pleasures for me Oh yes I must be there I could
not refuse and I will keep as much awake as I can but I would rather be at
home looking over William Larkinss weeks account much rather I confess
Pleasure in seeing dancing not I indeed I never look at it I do not know
who does Fine dancing I believe like virtue must be its own reward Those
who are standing by are usually thinking of something very different«
This Emma felt was aimed at her and it made her quite angry It was not in
compliment to Jane Fairfax however that he was so indifferent or so indignant
he was not guided by her feelings in reprobating the ball for she enjoyed the
thought of it to an extraordinary degree It made her animated open hearted
she voluntarily said
»Oh Miss Woodhouse I hope nothing may happen to prevent the ball What a
disappointment it would be I do look forward to it I own with very great
pleasure«
It was not to oblige Jane Fairfax therefore that he would have preferred the
society of William Larkins No she was more and more convinced that Mrs
Weston was quite mistaken in that surmise There was a great deal of friendly
and of compassionate attachment on his side but no love
Alas there was soon no leisure for quarrelling with Mr Knightley Two days
of joyful security were immediately followed by the overthrow of every thing A
letter arrived from Mr Churchill to urge his nephews instant return Mrs
Churchill was unwell far too unwell to do without him she had been in a very
suffering state so said her husband when writing to her nephew two days
before though from her usual unwillingness to give pain and constant habit of
never thinking of herself she had not mentioned it but now she was too ill to
trifle and must entreat him to set off for Enscombe without delay
The substance of this letter was forwarded to Emma in a note from Mrs
Weston instantly As to his going it was inevitable He must be gone within a
few hours though without feeling any real alarm for his aunt to lessen his
repugnance He knew her illnesses they never occurred but for her own
convenience
Mrs Weston added »that he could only allow himself time to hurry to
Highbury after breakfast and take leave of the few friends there whom he could
suppose to feel any interest in him and that he might be expected at Hartfield
very soon«
This wretched note was the finalé of Emmas breakfast When once it had been
read there was no doing any thing, but lament and exclaim The loss of the ball
the loss of the young man and all that the young man might be feeling It
was too wretched Such a delightful evening as it would have been Every
body so happy and she and her partner the happiest »I said it would be so«
was the only consolation
Her fathers feelings were quite distinct He thought principally of Mrs
Churchills illness and wanted to know how she was treated and as for the
ball it was shocking to have dear Emma disappointed but they would all be
safer at home
Emma was ready for her visitor some time before he appeared but if this
reflected at all upon his impatience his sorrowful look and total want of
spirits when he did come might redeem him He felt the going away almost too
much to speak of it His dejection was most evident He sat really lost in
thought for the first few minutes and when rousing himself it was only to say
»Of all horrid things leavetaking is the worst«
»But you will come again« said Emma »This will not be your only visit to
Randalls«
»Ah shaking his head the uncertainty of when I may be able to return
I shall try for it with a zeal It will be the object of all my thoughts and
cares and if my uncle and aunt go to town this spring but I am afraid
they did not stir last spring I am afraid it is a custom gone for ever«
»Our poor ball must be quite given up«
»Ah that ball why did we wait for any thing? why not seize the
pleasure at once How often is happiness destroyed by preparation foolish
preparation You told us it would be so Oh Miss Woodhouse why are you
always so right«
»Indeed I am very sorry to be right in this instance I would much rather
have been merry than wise«
»If I can come again we are still to have our ball My father depends on
it Do not forget your engagement«
Emma looked graciously
»Such a fortnight as it has been« he continued »every day more precious
and more delightful than the day before every day making me less fit to bear
any other place Happy those who can remain at Highbury«
»As you do us such ample justice now« said Emma laughing »I will venture
to ask whether you did not come a little doubtingly at first Do not we rather
surpass your expectations I am sure we do I am sure you did not much expect to
like us You would not have been so long in coming if you had had a pleasant
idea of Highbury«
He laughed rather consciously and though denying the sentiment Emma was
convinced that it had been so
»And you must be off this very morning«
»Yes my father is to join me here we shall walk back together and I must
be off immediately I am almost afraid that every moment will bring him«
»Not five minutes to spare even for your friends Miss Fairfax and Miss
Bates How unlucky Miss Batess powerful argumentative mind might have
strengthened yours«
»Yes I have called there passing the door I thought it better It was a
right thing to do I went in for three minutes and was detained by Miss Batess
being absent She was out and I felt it impossible not to wait till she came
in She is a woman that one may that one must laugh at but that one would not
wish to slight It was better to pay my visit then«
He hesitated got up walked to a window
»In short« said he »perhaps Miss Woodhouse I think you can hardly be
quite without suspicion«
He looked at her as if wanting to read her thoughts She hardly knew what
to say It seemed like the forerunner of something absolutely serious which she
did not wish Forcing herself to speak therefore in the hope of putting it by
she calmly said
»You were quite in the right it was most natural to pay your visit then«
He was silent She believed he was looking at her probably reflecting on
what she had said and trying to understand the manner She heard him sigh It
was natural for him to feel that he had cause to sigh He could not believe her
to be encouraging him A few awkward moments passed and he sat down again and
in a more determined manner said
»It was something to feel that all the rest of my time might be given to
Hartfield My regard for Hartfield is most warm«
He stopt again rose again and seemed quite embarrassed He was more in
love with her than Emma had supposed and who can say how it might have ended
if his father had not made his appearance Mr Woodhouse soon followed and the
necessity of exertion made him composed
A very few minutes more however completed the present trial Mr Weston
always alert when business was to be done and as incapable of procrastinating
any evil that was inevitable as of foreseeing any that was doubtful said »It
was time to go« and the young man though he might and did sigh could not but
agree and rise to take leave
»I shall hear about you all« said he »that is my chief consolation I
shall hear of every thing that is going on among you I have engaged Mrs Weston
to correspond with me She has been so kind as to promise it Oh the blessing
of a female correspondent when one is really interested in the absent she
will tell me every thing In her letters I shall be at dear Highbury again«
A very friendly shake of the hand a very earnest »Good bye« closed the
speech and the door had soon shut out Frank Churchill Short had been the
notice short their meeting he was gone and Emma felt so sorry to part and
foresaw so great a loss to their little society from his absence as to begin to
be afraid of being too sorry and feeling it too much
It was a sad change They had been meeting almost every day since his
arrival Certainly his being at Randalls had given great spirit to the last two
weeks indescribable spirit the idea the expectation of seeing him which
every morning had brought the assurance of his attentions his liveliness his
manners It had been a very happy fortnight and forlorn must be the sinking
from it into the common course of Hartfield days To complete every other
recommendation he had almost told her that he loved her What strength or what
constancy of affection he might be subject to was another point but at present
she could not doubt his having a decidedly warm admiration a conscious
preference of herself and this persuasion joined to all the rest made her
think that she must be a little in love with him in spite of every previous
determination against it
»I certainly must« said she »This sensation of listlessness weariness
stupidity this disinclination to sit down and employ myself this feeling of
every things being dull and insipid about the house I must be in love I
should be the oddest creature in the world if I were not for a few weeks at
least Well evil to some is always good to others I shall have many
fellowmourners for the ball if not for Frank Churchill but Mr Knightley will
be happy He may spend the evening with his dear William Larkins now if he
likes«
Mr Knightley however shewed no triumphant happiness He could not say
that he was sorry on his own account his very cheerful look would have
contradicted him if he had but he said and very steadily that he was sorry
for the disappointment of the others and with considerable kindness added
»You Emma who have so few opportunities of dancing you are really out of
luck you are very much out of luck«
It was some days before she saw Jane Fairfax to judge of her honest regret
in this woeful change but when they did meet her composure was odious She had
been particularly unwell however suffering from headache to a degree which
made her aunt declare that had the ball taken place she did not think Jane
could have attended it and it was charity to impute some of her unbecoming
indifference to the languor of illhealth
Chapter XIII
Emma continued to entertain no doubt of her being in love Her ideas only varied
as to the how much At first she thought it was a good deal and afterwards
but little She had great pleasure in hearing Frank Churchill talked of and
for his sake greater pleasure than ever in seeing Mr and Mrs Weston she was
very often thinking of him and quite impatient for a letter that she might
know how he was how were his spirits how was his aunt and what was the chance
of his coming to Randalls again this spring But on the other hand she could
not admit herself to be unhappy nor after the first morning to be less
disposed for employment than usual she was still busy and cheerful and
pleasing as he was she could yet imagine him to have faults and farther
though thinking of him so much and as she sat drawing or working forming a
thousand amusing schemes for the progress and close of their attachment
fancying interesting dialogues and inventing elegant letters the conclusion of
every imaginary declaration on his side was that she refused him Their
affection was always to subside into friendship Every thing tender and charming
was to mark their parting but still they were to part When she became sensible
of this it struck her that she could not be very much in love for in spite of
her previous and fixed determination never to quit her father never to marry a
strong attachment certainly must produce more of a struggle than she could
foresee in her own feelings
»I do not find myself making any use of the word sacrifice« said she »In
not one of all my clever replies my delicate negatives is there any allusion
to making a sacrifice I do suspect that he is not really necessary to my
happiness So much the better I certainly will not persuade myself to feel more
than I do I am quite enough in love I should be sorry to be more«
Upon the whole she was equally contented with her view of his feelings
»He is undoubtedly very much in love every thing denotes it very much in
love indeed and when he comes again if his affection continue I must be on
my guard not to encourage it It would be most inexcusable to do otherwise as
my own mind is quite made up Not that I imagine he can think I have been
encouraging him hitherto No if he had believed me at all to share his
feelings he would not have been so wretched Could he have thought himself
encouraged his looks and language at parting would have been different
Still however I must be on my guard This is in the supposition of his
attachment continuing what it now is but I do not know that I expect it will I
do not look upon him to be quite the sort of man I do not altogether build
upon his steadiness or constancy His feelings are warm but I can imagine
them rather changeable Every consideration of the subject in short makes me
thankful that my happiness is not more deeply involved I shall do very well
again after a little while and then it will be a good thing over for they
say every body is in love once in their lives and I shall have been let off
easily«
When his letter to Mrs Weston arrived Emma had the perusal of it and she
read it with a degree of pleasure and admiration which made her at first shake
her head over her own sensations and think she had undervalued their strength
It was a long wellwritten letter giving the particulars of his journey and of
his feelings expressing all the affection gratitude and respect which was
natural and honourable and describing every thing exterior and local that could
be supposed attractive with spirit and precision No suspicious flourishes now
of apology or concern it was the language of real feeling towards Mrs Weston
and the transition from Highbury to Enscombe the contrast between the places in
some of the first blessings of social life was just enough touched on to shew
how keenly it was felt and how much more might have been said but for the
restraints of propriety The charm of her own name was not wanting Miss
Woodhouse appeared more than once and never without a something of pleasing
connection either a compliment to her taste or a remembrance of what she had
said and in the very last time of its meeting her eye unadorned as it was by
any such broad wreath of gallantry she yet could discern the effect of her
influence and acknowledge the greatest compliment perhaps of all conveyed
Compressed into the very lowest vacant corner were these words »I had not a
spare moment on Tuesday as you know for Miss Woodhouses beautiful little
friend Pray make my excuses and adieus to her« This Emma could not doubt was
all for herself Harriet was remembered only from being her friend His
information and prospects as to Enscombe were neither worse nor better than had
been anticipated Mrs Churchill was recovering and he dared not yet even in
his own imagination fix a time for coming to Randalls again
Gratifying however and stimulative as was the letter in the material part
its sentiments she yet found when it was folded up and returned to Mrs
Weston that it had not added any lasting warmth that she could still do
without the writer and that he must learn to do without her Her intentions
were unchanged Her resolution of refusal only grew more interesting by the
addition of a scheme for his subsequent consolation and happiness His
recollection of Harriet and the words which clothed it the beautiful little
friend suggested to her the idea of Harriets succeeding her in his affections
Was it impossible No Harriet undoubtedly was greatly his inferior in
understanding but he had been very much struck with the loveliness of her face
and the warm simplicity of her manner and all the probabilities of circumstance
and connection were in her favour For Harriet it would be advantageous and
delightful indeed
»I must not dwell upon it« said she »I must not think of it I know the
danger of indulging such speculations But stranger things have happened and
when we cease to care for each other as we do now it will be the means of
confirming us in that sort of true disinterested friendship which I can already
look forward to with pleasure«
It was well to have a comfort in store on Harriets behalf though it might
be wise to let the fancy touch it seldom for evil in that quarter was at hand
As Frank Churchills arrival had succeeded Mr Eltons engagement in the
conversation of Highbury as the latest interest had entirely born down the
first so now upon Frank Churchills disappearance Mr Eltons concerns were
assuming the most irresistible form His weddingday was named He would soon
be among them again Mr Elton and his bride There was hardly time to talk over
the first letter from Enscombe before Mr Elton and his bride was in every
bodys mouth and Frank Churchill was forgotten Emma grew sick at the sound
She had had three weeks of happy exemption from Mr Elton and Harriets mind
she had been willing to hope had been lately gaining strength With Mr
Westons ball in view at least there had been a great deal of insensibility to
other things but it was now too evident that she had not attained such a state
of composure as could stand against the actual approach new carriage bell
ringing and all
Poor Harriet was in a flutter of spirits which required all the reasonings
and soothings and attentions of every kind that Emma could give Emma felt that
she could not do too much for her that Harriet had a right to all her ingenuity
and all her patience but it was heavy work to be for ever convincing without
producing any effect for ever agreed to without being able to make their
opinions the same Harriet listened submissively and said »it was very true
it was just as Miss Woodhouse described it was not worth while to think about
them and she would not think about them any longer« but no change of subject
could avail and the next half hour saw her as anxious and restless about the
Eltons as before At last Emma attacked her on another ground
»Your allowing yourself to be so occupied and so unhappy about Mr Eltons
marrying Harriet is the strongest reproach you can make me You could not give
me a greater reproof for the mistake I fell into It was all my doing I know I
have not forgotten it I assure you Deceived myself I did very miserably
deceive you and it will be a painful reflection to me for ever Do not imagine
me in danger of forgetting it«
Harriet felt this too much to utter more than a few words of eager
exclamation Emma continued
»I have not said exert yourself Harriet for my sake think less talk less
of Mr Elton for my sake because for your own sake rather I would wish it to
be done for the sake of what is more important than my comfort a habit of
self-command in you a consideration of what is your duty an attention to
propriety an endeavour to avoid the suspicions of others to save your health
and credit and restore your tranquillity These are the motives which I have
been pressing on you They are very important and sorry I am that you cannot
feel them sufficiently to act upon them My being saved from pain is a very
secondary consideration I want you to save yourself from greater pain Perhaps
I may sometimes have felt that Harriet would not forget what was due or rather
what would be kind by me«
This appeal to her affections did more than all the rest The idea of
wanting gratitude and consideration for Miss Woodhouse whom she really loved
extremely made her wretched for a while and when the violence of grief was
comforted away still remained powerful enough to prompt to what was right and
support her in it very tolerably
»You who have been the best friend I ever had in my life Want gratitude
to you Nobody is equal to you I care for nobody as I do for you Oh
Miss Woodhouse how ungrateful I have been«
Such expressions assisted as they were by every thing that look and manner
could do made Emma feel that she had never loved Harriet so well nor valued
her affection so highly before
»There is no charm equal to tenderness of heart« said she afterwards to
herself »There is nothing to be compared to it Warmth and tenderness of heart
with an affectionate open manner will beat all the clearness of head in the
world for attraction I am sure it will It is tenderness of heart which makes
my dear father so generally beloved which gives Isabella all her popularity
I have it not but I know how to prize and respect it Harriet is my superior
in all the charm and all the felicity it gives Dear Harriet I would not
change you for the clearestheaded longestsighted bestjudging female
breathing Oh the coldness of a Jane Fairfax Harriet is worth a hundred
such And for a wife a sensible mans wife it is invaluable I mention no
names but happy the man who changes Emma for Harriet«
Chapter XIV
Mrs Elton was first seen at church but though devotion might be interrupted
curiosity could not be satisfied by a bride in a pew and it must be left for
the visits in form which were then to be paid to settle whether she were very
pretty indeed or only rather pretty or not pretty at all
Emma had feelings less of curiosity than of pride or propriety to make her
resolve on not being the last to pay her respects and she made a point of
Harriets going with her that the worst of the business might be gone through
as soon as possible
She could not enter the house again could not be in the same room to which
she had with such vain artifice retreated three months ago to lace up her boot
without recollecting A thousand vexatious thoughts would recur Compliments
charades and horrible blunders and it was not to be supposed that poor Harriet
should not be recollecting too but she behaved very well and was only rather
pale and silent The visit was of course short and there was so much
embarrassment and occupation of mind to shorten it that Emma would not allow
herself entirely to form an opinion of the lady and on no account to give one
beyond the nothingmeaning terms of being elegantly dressed and very pleasing
She did not really like her She would not be in a hurry to find fault but
she suspected that there was no elegance ease but not elegance She was
almost sure that for a young woman a stranger a bride there was too much
ease Her person was rather good her face not unpretty but neither feature
nor air nor voice nor manner were elegant Emma thought at least it would
turn out so
As for Mr Elton his manners did not appear but no she would not permit
a hasty or a witty word from herself about his manners It was an awkward
ceremony at any time to be receiving weddingvisits and a man had need be all
grace to acquit himself well through it The woman was better off she might
have the assistance of fine clothes and the privilege of bashfulness but the
man had only his own good sense to depend on and when she considered how
peculiarly unlucky poor Mr Elton was in being in the same room at once with the
woman he had just married the woman he had wanted to marry and the woman whom
he had been expected to marry she must allow him to have the right to look as
little wise and to be as much affectedly and as little really easy as could
be
»Well Miss Woodhouse« said Harriet when they had quitted the house and
after waiting in vain for her friend to begin »Well Miss Woodhouse with a
gentle sigh what do you think of her Is not she very charming«
There was a little hesitation in Emmas answer
»Oh yes very a very pleasing young woman«
»I think her beautiful quite beautiful«
»Very nicely dressed indeed a remarkably elegant gown«
»I am not at all surprized that he should have fallen in love«
»Oh no there is nothing to surprize one at all A pretty fortune and
she came in his way«
»I dare say« returned Harriet sighing again »I dare say she was very much
attached to him«
»Perhaps she might but it is not every mans fate to marry the woman who
loves him best Miss Hawkins perhaps wanted a home and thought this the best
offer she was likely to have«
»Yes« said Harriet earnestly »and well she might nobody could ever have a
better Well I wish them happy with all my heart And now Miss Woodhouse I do
not think I shall mind seeing them again He is just as superior as ever but
being married you know it is quite a different thing No indeed Miss
Woodhouse you need not be afraid I can sit and admire him now without any
great misery To know that he has not thrown himself away is such a comfort
She does seem a charming young woman just what he deserves Happy creature He
called her Augusta How delightful«
When the visit was returned Emma made up her mind She could then see more
and judge better From Harriets happening not to be at Hartfield and her
fathers being present to engage Mr Elton she had a quarter of an hour of the
ladys conversation to herself and could composedly attend to her and the
quarter of an hour quite convinced her that Mrs Elton was a vain woman
extremely well satisfied with herself and thinking much of her own importance
that she meant to shine and be very superior but with manners which had been
formed in a bad school pert and familiar that all her notions were drawn from
one set of people and one style of living that if not foolish she was
ignorant and that her society would certainly do Mr Elton no good
Harriet would have been a better match If not wise or refined herself she
would have connected him with those who were but Miss Hawkins it might be
fairly supposed from her easy conceit had been the best of her own set The
rich brotherinlaw near Bristol was the pride of the alliance and his place
and his carriages were the pride of him
The very first subject after being seated was Maple Grove »My brother Mr
Sucklings seat« a comparison of Hartfield to Maple Grove The grounds of
Hartfield were small but neat and pretty and the house was modern and
wellbuilt Mrs Elton seemed most favourably impressed by the size of the room
the entrance and all that she could see or imagine »Very like Maple Grove
indeed She was quite struck by the likeness That room was the very shape
and size of the morningroom at Maple Grove her sisters favourite room« Mr
Elton was appealed to »Was not it astonishingly like She could really
almost fancy herself at Maple Grove«
»And the staircase You know as I came in I observed how very like the
staircase was placed exactly in the same part of the house I really could not
help exclaiming I assure you Miss Woodhouse it is very delightful to me to
be reminded of a place I am so extremely partial to as Maple Grove I have spent
so many happy months there with a little sigh of sentiment A charming place
undoubtedly Every body who sees it is struck by its beauty but to me it has
been quite a home Whenever you are transplanted like me Miss Woodhouse you
will understand how very delightful it is to meet with any thing at all like
what one has left behind I always say this is quite one of the evils of
matrimony«
Emma made as slight a reply as she could but it was fully sufficient for
Mrs Elton who only wanted to be talking herself
»So extremely like Maple Grove And it is not merely the house the
grounds I assure you as far as I could observe are strikingly like The
laurels at Maple Grove are in the same profusion as here and stand very much in
the same way just across the lawn and I had a glimpse of a fine large tree
with a bench round it which put me so exactly in mind My brother and sister
will be enchanted with this place People who have extensive grounds themselves
are always pleased with any thing in the same style«
Emma doubted the truth of this sentiment She had a great idea that people
who had extensive grounds themselves cared very little for the extensive grounds
of any body else but it was not worth while to attack an error so doubledyed
and therefore only said in reply
»When you have seen more of this country I am afraid you will think you
have overrated Hartfield Surry is full of beauties«
»Oh yes I am quite aware of that It is the garden of England you know
Surry is the garden of England«
»Yes but we must not rest our claims on that distinction Many counties I
believe are called the garden of England as well as Surry«
»No I fancy not« replied Mrs Elton with a most satisfied smile »I never
heard any county but Surry called so«
Emma was silenced
»My brother and sister have promised us a visit in the spring or summer at
farthest« continued Mrs Elton »and that will be our time for exploring While
they are with us we shall explore a great deal I dare say They will have
their barouchelandau of course which holds four perfectly and therefore
without saying any thing of our carriage we should be able to explore the
different beauties extremely well They would hardly come in their chaise I
think at that season of the year Indeed when the time draws on I shall
decidedly recommend their bringing the barouchelandau it will be so very much
preferable When people come into a beautiful country of this sort you know
Miss Woodhouse one naturally wishes them to see as much as possible and Mr
Suckling is extremely fond of exploring We explored to KingsWeston twice last
summer in that way most delightfully just after their first having the
barouchelandau You have many parties of that kind here I suppose Miss
Woodhouse every summer«
»No not immediately here We are rather out of distance of the very
striking beauties which attract the sort of parties you speak of and we are a
very quiet set of people I believe more disposed to stay at home than engage
in schemes of pleasure«
»Ah there is nothing like staying at home for real comfort Nobody can be
more devoted to home than I am I was quite a proverb for it at Maple Grove
Many a time has Selina said when she has been going to Bristol I really cannot
get this girl to move from the house I absolutely must go in by myself though
I hate being stuck up in the barouchelandau without a companion but Augusta I
believe with her own good will would never stir beyond the park paling Many a
time has she said so and yet I am no advocate for entire seclusion I think on
the contrary when people shut themselves up entirely from society it is a very
bad thing and that it is much more advisable to mix in the world in a proper
degree without living in it either too much or too little I perfectly
understand your situation however Miss Woodhouse looking towards Mr
Woodhouse Your fathers state of health must be a great drawback Why does
not he try Bath Indeed he should Let me recommend Bath to you I assure you
I have no doubt of its doing Mr Woodhouse good«
»My father tried it more than once formerly but without receiving any
benefit and Mr Perry whose name I dare say is not unknown to you does not
conceive it would be at all more likely to be useful now«
»Ah thats a great pity for I assure you Miss Woodhouse where the waters
do agree it is quite wonderful the relief they give In my Bath life I have
seen such instances of it And it is so cheerful a place that it could not fail
of being of use to Mr Woodhouses spirits which I understand are sometimes
much depressed And as to its recommendations to you I fancy I need not take
much pains to dwell on them The advantages of Bath to the young are pretty
generally understood It would be a charming introduction for you who have
lived so secluded a life and I could immediately secure you some of the best
society in the place A line from me would bring you a little host of
acquaintance and my particular friend Mrs Partridge the lady I have always
resided with when in Bath would be most happy to shew you any attentions and
would be the very person for you to go into public with«
It was as much as Emma could bear without being impolite The idea of her
being indebted to Mrs Elton for what was called an introduction of her going
into public under the auspices of a friend of Mrs Eltons probably some
vulgar dashing widow who with the help of a boarder just made a shift to
live The dignity of Miss Woodhouse of Hartfield was sunk indeed
She restrained herself however from any of the reproofs she could have
given and only thanked Mrs Elton coolly »but their going to Bath was quite
out of the question and she was not perfectly convinced that the place might
suit her better than her father« And then to prevent further outrage and
indignation changed the subject directly
»I do not ask whether you are musical Mrs Elton Upon these occasions a
ladys character generally precedes her and Highbury has long known that you
are a superior performer«
»Oh no indeed I must protest against any such idea A superior performer
very far from it I assure you Consider from how partial a quarter your
information came I am doatingly fond of music passionately fond and my
friends say I am not entirely devoid of taste but as to any thing else upon my
honour my performance is mediocre to the last degree You Miss Woodhouse I
well know play delightfully I assure you it has been the greatest
satisfaction comfort and delight to me to hear what a musical society I am
got into I absolutely cannot do without music It is a necessary of life to me
and having always been used to a very musical society both at Maple Grove and
in Bath it would have been a most serious sacrifice I honestly said as much to
Mr E when he was speaking of my future home and expressing his fears lest the
retirement of it should be disagreeable and the inferiority of the house too
knowing what I had been accustomed to of course he was not wholly without
apprehension When he was speaking of it in that way I honestly said that the
world I could give up parties balls plays for I had no fear of retirement
Blessed with so many resources within myself the world was not necessary to me
I could do very well without it To those who had no resources it was a
different thing but my resources made me quite independent And as to smaller
sized rooms than I had been used to I really could not give it a thought I
hoped I was perfectly equal to any sacrifice of that description Certainly I
had been accustomed to every luxury at Maple Grove but I did assure him that
two carriages were not necessary to my happiness nor were spacious apartments
But said I to be quite honest I do not think I can live without something of
a musical society I condition for nothing else but without music life would
be a blank to me«
»We cannot suppose« said Emma smiling »that Mr Elton would hesitate to
assure you of there being a very musical society in Highbury and I hope you
will not find he has outstepped the truth more than may be pardoned in
consideration of the motive«
»No indeed I have no doubts at all on that head I am delighted to find
myself in such a circle I hope we shall have many sweet little concerts
together I think Miss Woodhouse you and I must establish a musical club and
have regular weekly meetings at your house or ours Will not it be a good plan
If we exert ourselves I think we shall not be long in want of allies Something
of that nature would be particularly desirable for me as an inducement to keep
me in practice for married women you know there is a sad story against them
in general They are but too apt to give up music«
»But you who are so extremely fond of it there can be no danger surely«
»I should hope not but really when I look round among my acquaintance I
tremble Selina has entirely given up music never touches the instrument
though she played sweetly And the same may be said of Mrs Jeffereys Clara
Partridge that was and of the two Milmans now Mrs Bird and Mrs James
Cooper and of more than I can enumerate Upon my word it is enough to put one
in a fright I used to be quite angry with Selina but really I begin now to
comprehend that a married woman has many things to call her attention I believe
I was half an hour this morning shut up with my housekeeper«
»But every thing of that kind« said Emma »will soon be in so regular a
train «
»Well« said Mrs Elton laughing »we shall see«
Emma finding her so determined upon neglecting her music had nothing more
to say and after a moments pause Mrs Elton chose another subject
»We have been calling at Randalls« said she »and found them both at home
and very pleasant people they seem to be I like them extremely Mr Weston
seems an excellent creature quite a firstrate favourite with me already I
assure you And she appears so truly good there is something so motherly and
kindhearted about her that it wins upon one directly She was your governess
I think«
Emma was almost too much astonished to answer but Mrs Elton hardly waited
for the affirmative before she went on
»Having understood as much I was rather astonished to find her so very
ladylike But she is really quite the gentlewoman«
»Mrs Westons manners« said Emma »were always particularly good Their
propriety simplicity and elegance would make them the safest model for any
young woman«
»And who do you think came in while we were there«
Emma was quite at a loss The tone implied some old acquaintance and how
could she possibly guess
»Knightley« continued Mrs Elton »Knightley himself Was not it lucky
for not being within when he called the other day I had never seen him
before and of course as so particular a friend of Mr Es I had a great
curiosity My friend Knightley had been so often mentioned that I was really
impatient to see him and I must do my caro sposo the justice to say that he
need not be ashamed of his friend Knightley is quite the gentleman I like him
very much Decidedly I think a very gentlemanlike man«
Happily it was now time to be gone They were off and Emma could breathe
»Insufferable woman« was her immediate exclamation »Worse than I had
supposed Absolutely insufferable Knightley I could not have believed it
Knightley never seen him in her life before and call him Knightley and
discover that he is a gentleman A little upstart vulgar being with her Mr
E and her caro sposo and her resources and all her airs of pert pretension
and underbred finery Actually to discover that Mr Knightley is a gentleman I
doubt whether he will return the compliment and discover her to be a lady I
could not have believed it And to propose that she and I should unite to form a
musical club One would fancy we were bosom friends And Mrs Weston
Astonished that the person who had brought me up should be a gentlewoman Worse
and worse I never met with her equal Much beyond my hopes Harriet is
disgraced by any comparison Oh what would Frank Churchill say to her if he
were here How angry and how diverted he would be Ah there I am thinking of
him directly Always the first person to be thought of How I catch myself out
Frank Churchill comes as regularly into my mind«
All this ran so glibly through her thoughts that by the time her father had
arranged himself after the bustle of the Eltons departure and was ready to
speak she was very tolerably capable of attending
»Well my dear« he deliberately began »considering we never saw her
before she seems a very pretty sort of young lady and I dare say she was very
much pleased with you She speaks a little too quick A little quickness of
voice there is which rather hurts the ear But I believe I am nice I do not
like strange voices and nobody speaks like you and poor Miss Taylor However
she seems a very obliging prettybehaved young lady and no doubt will make him
a very good wife Though I think he had better not have married I made the best
excuses I could for not having been able to wait on him and Mrs Elton on this
happy occasion I said that I hoped I should in the course of the summer But I
ought to have gone before Not to wait upon a bride is very remiss Ah it shews
what a sad invalid I am But I do not like the corner into Vicaragelane«
»I dare say your apologies were accepted sir Mr Elton knows you«
»Yes but a young lady a bride I ought to have paid my respects to her
if possible It was being very deficient«
»But my dear papa you are no friend to matrimony and therefore why should
you be so anxious to pay your respects to a bride It ought to be no
recommendation to you It is encouraging people to marry if you make so much of
them«
»No my dear I never encouraged any body to marry but I would always wish
to pay every proper attention to a lady and a bride especially is never to
be neglected More is avowedly due to her A bride you know my dear is always
the first in company let the others be who they may«
»Well papa if this is not encouragement to marry I do not know what is
And I should never have expected you to be lending your sanction to such vanity
baits for poor young ladies«
»My dear you do not understand me This is a matter of mere common
politeness and goodbreeding and has nothing to do with any encouragement to
people to marry«
Emma had done Her father was growing nervous and could not understand her
Her mind returned to Mrs Eltons offences and long very long did they occupy
her
Chapter XV
Emma was not required by any subsequent discovery to retract her ill opinion
of Mrs Elton Her observation had been pretty correct Such as Mrs Elton
appeared to her on this second interview such she appeared whenever they met
again selfimportant presuming familiar ignorant and illbred She had a
little beauty and a little accomplishment but so little judgment that she
thought herself coming with superior knowledge of the world to enliven and
improve a country neighbourhood and conceived Miss Hawkins to have held such a
place in society as Mrs Eltons consequence only could surpass
There was no reason to suppose Mr Elton thought at all differently from his
wife He seemed not merely happy with her but proud He had the air of
congratulating himself on having brought such a woman to Highbury as not even
Miss Woodhouse could equal and the greater part of her new acquaintance
disposed to commend or not in the habit of judging following the lead of Miss
Batess goodwill or taking it for granted that the bride must be as clever and
as agreeable as she professed herself were very well satisfied so that Mrs
Eltons praise passed from one mouth to another as it ought to do unimpeded by
Miss Woodhouse who readily continued her first contribution and talked with a
good grace of her being very pleasant and very elegantly dressed
In one respect Mrs Elton grew even worse than she had appeared at first
Her feelings altered towards Emma Offended probably by the little
encouragement which her proposals of intimacy met with she drew back in her
turn and gradually became much more cold and distant and though the effect was
agreeable the illwill which produced it was necessarily increasing Emmas
dislike Her manners too and Mr Eltons were unpleasant towards Harriet
They were sneering and negligent Emma hoped it must rapidly work Harriets
cure but the sensations which could prompt such behaviour sunk them both very
much It was not to be doubted that poor Harriets attachment had been an
offering to conjugal unreserve and her own share in the story under a
colouring the least favourable to her and the most soothing to him had in all
likelihood been given also She was of course the object of their joint
dislike When they had nothing else to say it must be always easy to begin
abusing Miss Woodhouse and the enmity which they dared not shew in open
disrespect to her found a broader vent in contemptuous treatment of Harriet
Mrs Elton took a great fancy to Jane Fairfax and from the first Not
merely when a state of warfare with one young lady might be supposed to
recommend the other but from the very first and she was not satisfied with
expressing a natural and reasonable admiration but without solicitation or
plea or privilege she must be wanting to assist and befriend her Before
Emma had forfeited her confidence and about the third time of their meeting
she heard all Mrs Eltons knighterrantry on the subject
»Jane Fairfax is absolutely charming Miss Woodhouse I quite rave about
Jane Fairfax A sweet interesting creature So mild and ladylike and with
such talents I assure you I think she has very extraordinary talents I do
not scruple to say that she plays extremely well I know enough of music to
speak decidedly on that point Oh she is absolutely charming You will laugh at
my warmth but upon my word I talk of nothing but Jane Fairfax And her
situation is so calculated to affect one Miss Woodhouse we must exert
ourselves and endeavour to do something for her We must bring her forward Such
talents as hers must not be suffered to remain unknown I dare say you have
heard those charming lines of the poet
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen
And waste its fragrance on the desert air
We must not allow them to be verified in sweet Jane Fairfax«
»I cannot think there is any danger of it« was Emmas calm answer »and
when you are better acquainted with Miss Fairfaxs situation and understand what
her home has been with Col and Mrs Campbell I have no idea that you will
suppose her talents can be unknown«
»Oh but dear Miss Woodhouse she is now in such retirement such obscurity
so thrown away Whatever advantages she may have enjoyed with the Campbells
are so palpably at an end And I think she feels it I am sure she does She is
very timid and silent One can see that she feels the want of encouragement I
like her the better for it I must confess it is a recommendation to me I am a
great advocate for timidity and I am sure one does not often meet with it
But in those who are at all inferior it is extremely prepossessing Oh I
assure you Jane Fairfax is a very delightful character and interests me more
than I can express«
»You appear to feel a great deal but I am not aware how you or any of Miss
Fairfaxs acquaintance here any of those who have known her longer than
yourself can shew her any other attention than«
»My dear Miss Woodhouse a vast deal may be done by those who dare to act
You and I need not be afraid If we set the example many will follow it as far
as they can though all have not our situations We have carriages to fetch and
convey her home and we live in a style which could not make the addition of
Jane Fairfax at any time the least inconvenient I should be extremely
displeased if Wright were to send us up such a dinner as could make me regret
having asked more than Jane Fairfax to partake of it I have no idea of that
sort of thing It is not likely that I should considering what I have been used
to My greatest danger perhaps in housekeeping may be quite the other way in
doing too much and being too careless of expense Maple Grove will probably be
my model more than it ought to be for we do not at all affect to equal my
brother Mr Suckling in income However my resolution is taken as to
noticing Jane Fairfax I shall certainly have her very often at my house
shall introduce her wherever I can shall have musical parties to draw out her
talents and shall be constantly on the watch for an eligible situation My
acquaintance is so very extensive that I have little doubt of hearing of
something to suit her shortly I shall introduce her of course very
particularly to my brother and sister when they come to us I am sure they will
like her extremely and when she gets a little acquainted with them her fears
will completely wear off for there really is nothing in the manners of either
but what is highly conciliating I shall have her very often indeed while they
are with me and I dare say we shall sometimes find a seat for her in the
barouchelandau in some of our exploring parties«
»Poor Jane Fairfax« thought Emma »You have not deserved this You may
have done wrong with regard to Mr Dixon but this is a punishment beyond what
you can have merited The kindness and protection of Mrs Elton Jane
Fairfax and Jane Fairfax Heavens Let me not suppose that she dares go about
Emma Woodhouseing me But upon my honour there seem no limits to the
licentiousness of that womans tongue«
Emma had not to listen to such paradings again to any so exclusively
addressed to herself so disgustingly decorated with a dear Miss Woodhouse The
change on Mrs Eltons side soon afterwards appeared and she was left in peace
neither forced to be the very particular friend of Mrs Elton nor under Mrs
Eltons guidance the very active patroness of Jane Fairfax and only sharing
with others in a general way in knowing what was felt what was meditated what
was done
She looked on with some amusement Miss Batess gratitude for Mrs Eltons
attentions to Jane was in the first style of guileless simplicity and warmth
She was quite one of her worthies the most amiable affable delightful woman
just as accomplished and condescending as Mrs Elton meant to be considered
Emmas only surprize was that Jane Fairfax should accept those attentions and
tolerate Mrs Elton as she seemed to do She heard of her walking with the
Eltons sitting with the Eltons spending a day with the Eltons This was
astonishing She could not have believed it possible that the taste or the
pride of Miss Fairfax could endure such society and friendship as the Vicarage
had to offer
»She is a riddle quite a riddle« said she »To chuse to remain here
month after month under privations of every sort And now to chuse the
mortification of Mrs Eltons notice and the penury of her conversation rather
than return to the superior companions who have always loved her with such real
generous affection«
Jane had come to Highbury professedly for three months the Campbells were
gone to Ireland for three months but now the Campbells had promised their
daughter to stay at least till Midsummer and fresh invitations had arrived for
her to join them there According to Miss Bates it all came from her Mrs
Dixon had written most pressingly Would Jane but go means were to be found
servants sent friends contrived no travelling difficulty allowed to exist;
but still she had declined it
»She must have some motive more powerful than appears for refusing this
invitation« was Emmas conclusion »She must be under some sort of penance
inflicted either by the Campbells or herself There is great fear great
caution great resolution somewhere She is not to be with the Dixons The
decree is issued by somebody But why must she consent to be with the Eltons
Here is quite a separate puzzle«
Upon her speaking her wonder aloud on that part of the subject before the
few who knew her opinion of Mrs Elton Mrs Weston ventured this apology for
Jane
»We cannot suppose that she has any great enjoyment at the Vicarage my dear
Emma but it is better than being always at home Her aunt is a good creature
but as a constant companion must be very tiresome We must consider what Miss
Fairfax quits before we condemn her taste for what she goes to«
»You are right Mrs Weston« said Mr Knightley warmly »Miss Fairfax is as
capable as any of us of forming a just opinion of Mrs Elton Could she have
chosen with whom to associate she would not have chosen her But with a
reproachful smile at Emma she receives attentions from Mrs Elton which nobody
else pays her«
Emma felt that Mrs Weston was giving her a momentary glance and she was
herself struck by his warmth With a faint blush she presently replied
»Such attentions as Mrs Eltons I should have imagined would rather
disgust than gratify Miss Fairfax Mrs Eltons invitations I should have
imagined any thing but inviting«
»I should not wonder« said Mrs Weston »if Miss Fairfax were to have been
drawn on beyond her own inclination by her aunts eagerness in accepting Mrs
Eltons civilities for her Poor Miss Bates may very likely have committed her
niece and hurried her into a greater appearance of intimacy than her own good
sense would have dictated in spite of the very natural wish of a little
change«
Both felt rather anxious to hear him speak again and after a few minutes
silence he said
»Another thing must be taken into consideration too Mrs Elton does not
talk to Miss Fairfax as she speaks of her We all know the difference between
the pronouns he or she and thou the plainestspoken amongst us we all feel the
influence of a something beyond common civility in our personal intercourse with
each other a something more early implanted We cannot give any body the
disagreeable hints that we may have been very full of the hour before We feel
things differently And besides the operation of this as a general principle
you may be sure that Miss Fairfax awes Mrs Elton by her superiority both of
mind and manner and that face to face Mrs Elton treats her with all the
respect which she has a claim to Such a woman as Jane Fairfax probably never
fell in Mrs Eltons way before and no degree of vanity can prevent her
acknowledging her own comparative littleness in action if not in
consciousness.«
»I know how highly you think of Jane Fairfax« said Emma Little Henry was
in her thoughts and a mixture of alarm and delicacy made her irresolute what
else to say
»Yes« he replied »any body may know how highly I think of her«
»And yet« said Emma beginning hastily and with an arch look but soon
stopping it was better however to know the worst at once she hurried on
»And yet perhaps you may hardly be aware yourself how highly it is The extent
of your admiration may take you by surprize some day or other«
Mr Knightley was hard at work upon the lower buttons of his thick leather
gaiters and either the exertion of getting them together or some other cause
brought the colour into his face as he answered
»Oh are you there But you are miserably behindhand Mr Cole gave me a
hint of it six weeks ago«
He stopped Emma felt her foot pressed by Mrs Weston and did not herself
know what to think In a moment he went on
»That will never be however I can assure you Miss Fairfax I dare say
would not have me if I were to ask her and I am very sure I shall never ask
her«
Emma returned her friends pressure with interest and was pleased enough to
exclaim
»You are not vain Mr Knightley I will say that for you«
He seemed hardly to hear her he was thoughtful and in a manner which
shewed him not pleased soon afterwards said
»So you have been settling that I should marry Jane Fairfax«
»No indeed I have not You have scolded me too much for matchmaking for me
to presume to take such a liberty with you What I said just now meant nothing
One says those sort of things of course without any idea of a serious meaning
Oh no upon my word I have not the smallest wish for your marrying Jane Fairfax
or Jane any body You would not come in and sit with us in this comfortable way
if you were married«
Mr Knightley was thoughtful again The result of his reverie was »No
Emma I do not think the extent of my admiration for her will ever take me by
surprize I never had a thought of her in that way I assure you« And soon
afterwards »Jane Fairfax is a very charming young woman but not even Jane
Fairfax is perfect She has a fault She has not the open temper which a man
would wish for in a wife«
Emma could not but rejoice to hear that she had a fault »Well« said she
»and you soon silenced Mr Cole I suppose«
»Yes very soon He gave me a quiet hint I told him he was mistaken he
asked my pardon and said no more Cole does not want to be wiser or wittier than
his neighbours«
»In that respect how unlike dear Mrs Elton who wants to be wiser and
wittier than all the world I wonder how she speaks of the Coles what she
calls them How can she find any appellation for them deep enough in familiar
vulgarity She calls you Knightley what can she do for Mr Cole And so I am
not to be surprized that Jane Fairfax accepts her civilities and consents to be
with her Mrs Weston your argument weighs most with me I can much more
readily enter into the temptation of getting away from Miss Bates than I can
believe in the triumph of Miss Fairfaxs mind over Mrs Elton I have no faith
in Mrs Eltons acknowledging herself the inferior in thought word or deed or
in her being under any restraint beyond her own scanty rule of goodbreeding I
cannot imagine that she will not be continually insulting her visitor with
praise encouragement and offers of service that she will not be continually
detailing her magnificent intentions from the procuring her a permanent
situation to the including her in those delightful exploring parties which are
to take place in the barouchelandau«
»Jane Fairfax has feeling« said Mr Knightley »I do not accuse her of
want of feeling Her sensibilities I suspect are strong and her temper
excellent in its power of forbearance patience selfcontroul but it wants
openness She is reserved more reserved I think than she used to be And I
love an open temper No till Cole alluded to my supposed attachment it had
never entered my head I saw Jane Fairfax and conversed with her with
admiration and pleasure always but with no thought beyond«
»Well Mrs Weston« said Emma triumphantly when he left them »what do you
say now to Mr Knightleys marrying Jane Fairfax«
»Why really dear Emma I say that he is so very much occupied by the idea
of not being in love with her that I should not wonder if it were to end in his
being so at last Do not beat me«
Chapter XVI
Every body in and about Highbury who had ever visited Mr Elton was disposed to
pay him attention on his marriage Dinnerparties and eveningparties were made
for him and his lady and invitations flowed in so fast that she had soon the
pleasure of apprehending they were never to have a disengaged day
»I see how it is« said she »I see what a life I am to lead among you Upon
my word we shall be absolutely dissipated We really seem quite the fashion If
this is living in the country it is nothing very formidable From Monday next
to Saturday I assure you we have not a disengaged day A woman with fewer
resources than I have need not have been at a loss«
No invitation came amiss to her Her Bath habits made eveningparties
perfectly natural to her and Maple Grove had given her a taste for dinners She
was a little shocked at the want of two drawing rooms at the poor attempt at
routcakes and there being no ice in the Highbury card parties Mrs Bates
Mrs Perry Mrs Goddard and others were a good deal behind hand in knowledge
of the world but she would soon shew them how every thing ought to be arranged
In the course of the spring she must return their civilities by one very
superior party in which her card tables should be set out with their separate
candles and unbroken packs in the true style and more waiters engaged for the
evening than their own establishment could furnish to carry round the
refreshments at exactly the proper hour and in the proper order
Emma in the meanwhile could not be satisfied without a dinner at Hartfield
for the Eltons They must not do less than others or she should be exposed to
odious suspicions and imagined capable of pitiful resentment A dinner there
must be After Emma had talked about it for ten minutes Mr Woodhouse felt no
unwillingness and only made the usual stipulation of not sitting at the bottom
of the table himself with the usual regular difficulty of deciding who should
do it for him
The persons to be invited required little thought Besides the Eltons it
must be the Westons and Mr Knightley so far it was all of course and it was
hardly less inevitable that poor little Harriet must be asked to make the
eighth but this invitation was not given with equal satisfaction and on many
accounts Emma was particularly pleased by Harriets begging to be allowed to
decline it »She would rather not be in his company more than she could help
She was not yet quite able to see him and his charming happy wife together
without feeling uncomfortable If Miss Woodhouse would not be displeased she
would rather stay at home« It was precisely what Emma would have wished had
she deemed it possible enough for wishing She was delighted with the fortitude
of her little friend for fortitude she knew it was in her to give up being in
company and stay at home and she could now invite the very person whom she
really wanted to make the eighth Jane Fairfax Since her last conversation
with Mrs Weston and Mr Knightley she was more consciencestricken about Jane
Fairfax than she had often been Mr Knightleys words dwelt with her He had
said that Jane Fairfax received attentions from Mrs Elton which nobody else
paid her
»This is very true« said she »at least as far as relates to me which was
all that was meant and it is very shameful Of the same age and always
knowing her I ought to have been more her friend She will never like me
now I have neglected her too long But I will shew her greater attention than I
have done«
Every invitation was successful They were all disengaged and all happy
The preparatory interest of this dinner however was not yet over A
circumstance rather unlucky occurred The two eldest little Knightleys were
engaged to pay their grandpapa and aunt a visit of some weeks in the spring and
their papa now proposed bringing them and staying one whole day at Hartfield
which one day would be the very day of this party His professional
engagements did not allow of his being put off but both father and daughter
were disturbed by its happening so Mr Woodhouse considered eight persons at
dinner together as the utmost that his nerves could bear and here would be a
ninth and Emma apprehended that it would be a ninth very much out of humour at
not being able to come even to Hartfield for fortyeight hours without falling
in with a dinnerparty
She comforted her father better than she could comfort herself by
representing that though he certainly would make them nine yet he always said
so little that the increase of noise would be very immaterial She thought it
in reality a sad exchange for herself to have him with his grave looks and
reluctant conversation opposed to her instead of his brother
The event was more favourable to Mr Woodhouse than to Emma John Knightley
came but Mr Weston was unexpectedly summoned to town and must be absent on the
very day He might be able to join them in the evening but certainly not to
dinner Mr Woodhouse was quite at ease and the seeing him so with the arrival
of the little boys and the philosophic composure of her brother on hearing his
fate removed the chief of even Emmas vexation
The day came the party were punctually assembled and Mr John Knightley
seemed early to devote himself to the business of being agreeable Instead of
drawing his brother off to a window while they waited for dinner he was talking
to Miss Fairfax Mrs Elton as elegant as lace and pearls could make her he
looked at in silence wanting only to observe enough for Isabellas information
but Miss Fairfax was an old acquaintance and a quiet girl and he could talk
to her He had met her before breakfast as he was returning from a walk with his
little boys when it had been just beginning to rain It was natural to have
some civil hopes on the subject and he said
»I hope you did not venture far Miss Fairfax this morning or I am sure
you must have been wet We scarcely got home in time I hope you turned
directly«
»I went only to the postoffice« said she »and reached home before the
rain was much It is my daily errand I always fetch the letters when I am here
It saves trouble and is a something to get me out A walk before breakfast does
me good«
»Not a walk in the rain I should imagine«
»No but it did not absolutely rain when I set out«
Mr John Knightley smiled and replied
»That is to say you chose to have your walk for you were not six yards
from your own door when I had the pleasure of meeting you and Henry and John
had seen more drops than they could count long before The postoffice has a
great charm at one period of our lives When you have lived to my age you will
begin to think letters are never worth going through the rain for«
There was a little blush and then this answer
»I must not hope to be ever situated as you are in the midst of every
dearest connection and therefore I cannot expect that simply growing older
should make me indifferent about letters«
»Indifferent Oh no I never conceived you could become indifferent
Letters are no matter of indifference they are generally a very positive
curse«
»You are speaking of letters of business mine are letters of friendship«
»I have often thought them the worst of the two« replied he coolly
»Business you know may bring money but friendship hardly ever does«
»Ah you are not serious now I know Mr John Knightley too well I am very
sure he understands the value of friendship as well as any body I can easily
believe that letters are very little to you much less than to me but it is not
your being ten years older than myself which makes the difference it is not
age but situation You have every body dearest to you always at hand I
probably never shall again and therefore till I have outlived all my
affections a postoffice I think must always have power to draw me out in
worse weather than today«
»When I talked of your being altered by time by the progress of years«
said John Knightley »I meant to imply the change of situation which time
usually brings I consider one as including the other Time will generally
lessen the interest of every attachment not within the daily circle but that
is not the change I had in view for you As an old friend you will allow me to
hope Miss Fairfax that ten years hence you may have as many concentrated
objects as I have«
It was kindly said and very far from giving offence A pleasant thank you
seemed meant to laugh it off but a blush a quivering lip a tear in the eye
shewed that it was felt beyond a laugh Her attention was now claimed by Mr
Woodhouse who being according to his custom on such occasions making the
circle of his guests and paying his particular compliments to the ladies was
ending with her and with all his mildest urbanity said
»I am very sorry to hear Miss Fairfax of your being out this morning in
the rain Young ladies should take care of themselves Young ladies are
delicate plants They should take care of their health and their complexion My
dear did you change your stockings«
»Yes sir I did indeed and I am very much obliged by your kind solicitude
about me«
»My dear Miss Fairfax young ladies are very sure to be cared for I hope
your good grandmamma and aunt are well They are some of my very old friends I
wish my health allowed me to be a better neighbour You do us a great deal of
honour today I am sure My daughter and I are both highly sensible of your
goodness and have the greatest satisfaction in seeing you at Hartfield«
The kindhearted polite old man might then sit down and feel that he had
done his duty and made every fair lady welcome and easy
By this time the walk in the rain had reached Mrs Elton and her
remonstrances now opened upon Jane
»My dear Jane what is this I hear Going to the postoffice in the rain
This must not be I assure you You sad girl how could you do such a thing
It is a sign I was not there to take care of you«
Jane very patiently assured her that she had not caught any cold
»Oh do not tell me You really are a very sad girl and do not know how to
take care of yourself To the postoffice indeed Mrs Weston did you ever
hear the like You and I must positively exert our authority«
»My advice« said Mrs Weston kindly and persuasively »I certainly do feel
tempted to give Miss Fairfax you must not run such risks Liable as you have
been to severe colds indeed you ought to be particularly careful especially at
this time of year The spring I always think requires more than common care
Better wait an hour or two or even half a day for your letters than run the
risk of bringing on your cough again Now do not you feel that you had Yes I
am sure you are much too reasonable You look as if you would not do such a
thing again«
»Oh she shall not do such a thing again« eagerly rejoined Mrs Elton »We
will not allow her to do such a thing again« and nodding significantly
»there must be some arrangement made there must indeed I shall speak to Mr E
The man who fetches our letters every morning one of our men I forget his
name shall inquire for yours too and bring them to you That will obviate all
difficulties you know and from us I really think my dear Jane you can have no
scruple to accept such an accommodation«
»You are extremely kind« said Jane »but I cannot give up my early walk I
am advised to be out of doors as much as I can I must walk somewhere and the
postoffice is an object; and upon my word I have scarcely ever had a bad
morning before«
»My dear Jane say no more about it The thing is determined that is
laughing affectedly as far as I can presume to determine any thing without the
concurrence of my lord and master You know Mrs Weston you and I must be
cautious how we express ourselves But I do flatter myself my dear Jane that
my influence is not entirely worn out If I meet with no insuperable
difficulties therefore consider that point as settled«
»Excuse me« said Jane earnestly »I cannot by any means consent to such an
arrangement so needlessly troublesome to your servant If the errand were not a
pleasure to me it could be done as it always is when I am not here by my
grandmammas«
»Oh my dear but so much as Patty has to do And it is a kindness to
employ our men«
Jane looked as if she did not mean to be conquered but instead of
answering she began speaking again to Mr John Knightley
»The postoffice is a wonderful establishment« said she »The regularity
and dispatch of it If one thinks of all that it has to do and all that it does
so well it is really astonishing«
»It is certainly very well regulated«
»So seldom that any negligence or blunder appears So seldom that a letter
among the thousands that are constantly passing about the kingdom is even
carried wrong and not one in a million I suppose actually lost And when one
considers the variety of hands and of bad hands too that are to be deciphered
it increases the wonder«
»The clerks grow expert from habit They must begin with some quickness of
sight and hand and exercise improves them If you want any further
explanation« continued he smiling »they are paid for it That is the key to a
great deal of capacity The public pays and must be served well«
The varieties of handwriting were farther talked of and the usual
observations made
»I have heard it asserted« said John Knightley »that the same sort of
handwriting often prevails in a family and where the same master teaches it
is natural enough But for that reason I should imagine the likeness must be
chiefly confined to the females for boys have very little teaching after an
early age and scramble into any hand they can get Isabella and Emma I think
do write very much alike I have not always known their writing apart«
»Yes« said his brother hesitatingly »there is a likeness I know what you
mean but Emmas hand is the strongest«
»Isabella and Emma both write beautifully« said Mr Woodhouse »and always
did And so does poor Mrs Weston« with half a sigh and half a smile at her
»I never saw any gentlemans handwriting« Emma began looking also at Mrs
Weston but stopped on perceiving that Mrs Weston was attending to some one
else and the pause gave her time to reflect »Now how am I going to introduce
him Am I unequal to speaking his name at once before all these people Is it
necessary for me to use any roundabout phrase Your Yorkshire friend your
correspondent in Yorkshire that would be the way I suppose if I were very
bad No I can pronounce his name without the smallest distress I certainly
get better and better Now for it«
Mrs Weston was disengaged and Emma began again »Mr Frank Churchill
writes one of the best gentlemens hands I ever saw«
»I do not admire it« said Mr Knightley »It is too small wants strength
It is like a womans writing«
This was not submitted to by either lady They vindicated him against the
base aspersion »No it by no means wanted strength it was not a large hand
but very clear and certainly strong Had not Mrs Weston any letter about her to
produce« No she had heard from him very lately but having answered the
letter had put it away
»If we were in the other room« said Emma »if I had my writingdesk I am
sure I could produce a specimen I have a note of his Do not you remember
Mrs Weston employing him to write for you one day«
»He chose to say he was employed«
»Well well I have that note and can shew it after dinner to convince Mr
Knightley«
»Oh when a gallant young man like Mr Frank Churchill« said Mr Knightley
drily »writes to a fair lady like Miss Woodhouse he will of course put forth
his best«
Dinner was on table Mrs Elton before she could be spoken to was ready
and before Mr Woodhouse had reached her with his request to be allowed to hand
her into the diningparlour was saying
»Must I go first I really am ashamed of always leading the way«
Janes solicitude about fetching her own letters had not escaped Emma She
had heard and seen it all and felt some curiosity to know whether the wet walk
of this morning had produced any She suspected that it had that it would not
have been so resolutely encountered but in full expectation of hearing from some
one very dear and that it had not been in vain She thought there was an air of
greater happiness than usual a glow both of complexion and spirits
She could have made an inquiry or two as to the expedition and the expense
of the Irish mails it was at her tongues end but she abstained She was
quite determined not to utter a word that should hurt Jane Fairfaxs feelings
and they followed the other ladies out of the room arm in arm with an
appearance of goodwill highly becoming to the beauty and grace of each
Chapter XVII
When the ladies returned to the drawingroom after dinner Emma found it hardly
possible to prevent their making two distinct parties with so much
perseverance in judging and behaving ill did Mrs Elton engross Jane Fairfax and
slight herself She and Mrs Weston were obliged to be almost always either
talking together or silent together Mrs Elton left them no choice If Jane
repressed her for a little time she soon began again and though much that
passed between them was in a halfwhisper especially on Mrs Eltons side
there was no avoiding a knowledge of their principal subjects The postoffice
catching cold fetching letters and friendship were long under discussion
and to them succeeded one which must be at least equally unpleasant to Jane
inquiries whether she had yet heard of any situation likely to suit her and
professions of Mrs Eltons meditated activity
»Here is April come« said she »I get quite anxious about you June will
soon be here«
»But I have never fixed on June or any other month merely looked forward
to the summer in general«
»But have you really heard of nothing«
»I have not even made any inquiry I do not wish to make any yet«
»Oh my dear we cannot begin too early you are not aware of the difficulty
of procuring exactly the desirable thing«
»I not aware« said Jane shaking her head »dear Mrs Elton who can have
thought of it as I have done«
»But you have not seen so much of the world as I have You do not know how
many candidates there always are for the first situations I saw a vast deal of
that in the neighbourhood round Maple Grove A cousin of Mr Suckling Mrs
Bragge had such an infinity of applications every body was anxious to be in
her family for she moves in the first circle Waxcandles in the schoolroom
You may imagine how desirable Of all houses in the kingdom Mrs Bragges is the
one I would most wish to see you in«
»Col and Mrs Campbell are to be in town again by midsummer« said Jane »I
must spend some time with them I am sure they will want it afterwards I may
probably be glad to dispose of myself But I would not wish you to take the
trouble of making any inquiries at present«
»Trouble aye I know your scruples You are afraid of giving me trouble
but I assure you my dear Jane the Campbells can hardly be more interested
about you than I am I shall write to Mrs Partridge in a day or two and shall
give her a strict charge to be on the lookout for any thing eligible«
»Thank you but I would rather you did not mention the subject to her till
the time draws nearer I do not wish to be giving any body trouble«
»But my dear child the time is drawing near here is April and June or
say even July is very near with such business to accomplish before us Your
inexperience really amuses me A situation such as you deserve and your friends
would require for you is no every day occurrence is not obtained at a moments
notice indeed indeed we must begin inquiring directly«
»Excuse me maam but this is by no means my intention I make no inquiry
myself and should be sorry to have any made by my friends When I am quite
determined as to the time I am not at all afraid of being long unemployed
There are places in town offices where inquiry would soon produce something
Offices for the sale not quite of human flesh but of human intellect«
»Oh my dear human flesh You quite shock me if you mean a fling at the
slavetrade I assure you Mr Suckling was always rather a friend to the
abolition«
»I did not mean I was not thinking of the slavetrade« replied Jane
»governesstrade I assure you was all that I had in view widely different
certainly as to the guilt of those who carry it on but as to the greater misery
of the victims I do not know where it lies But I only mean to say that there
are advertising offices and that by applying to them I should have no doubt of
very soon meeting with something that would do«
»Something that would do« repeated Mrs Elton »Aye that may suit your
humble ideas of yourself I know what a modest creature you are but it will
not satisfy your friends to have you taking up with any thing that may offer
any inferior commonplace situation in a family not moving in a certain circle
or able to command the elegancies of life«
»You are very obliging but as to all that I am very indifferent it would
be no object to me to be with the rich my mortifications I think would only
be the greater I should suffer more from comparison A gentlemans family is
all that I should condition for«
»I know you I know you you would take up with any thing; but I shall be a
little more nice and I am sure the good Campbells will be quite on my side
with your superior talents you have a right to move in the first circle Your
musical knowledge alone would entitle you to name your own terms have as many
rooms as you like and mix in the family as much as you chose that is I do
not know if you knew the harp you might do all that I am very sure but you
sing as well as play yes I really believe you might even without the harp
stipulate for what you chose and you must and shall be delightfully
honourably and comfortably settled before the Campbells or I have any rest«
»You may well class the delight the honour and the comfort of such a
situation together« said Jane »they are pretty sure to be equal however I am
very serious in not wishing any thing to be attempted at present for me I am
exceedingly obliged to you Mrs Elton I am obliged to any body who feels for
me but I am quite serious in wishing nothing to be done till the summer For
two or three months longer I shall remain where I am and as I am«
»And I am quite serious too I assure you« replied Mrs Elton gaily »in
resolving to be always on the watch and employing my friends to watch also
that nothing really unexceptionable may pass us«
In this style she ran on never thoroughly stopped by any thing till Mr
Woodhouse came into the room her vanity had then a change of object and Emma
heard her saying in the same halfwhisper to Jane
»Here comes this dear old beau of mine I protest Only think of his
gallantry in coming away before the other men what a dear creature he is I
assure you I like him excessively I admire all that quaint oldfashioned
politeness it is much more to my taste than modern ease modern ease often
disgusts me But this good old Mr Woodhouse I wish you had heard his gallant
speeches to me at dinner Oh I assure you I began to think my caro sposa would
be absolutely jealous I fancy I am rather a favourite he took notice of my
gown How do you like it Selinas choice handsome I think but I do not
know whether it is not overtrimmed I have the greatest dislike to the idea of
being overtrimmed quite a horror of finery I must put on a few ornaments
now because it is expected of me A bride you know must appear like a bride
but my natural taste is all for simplicity a simple style of dress is so
infinitely preferable to finery But I am quite in the minority I believe few
people seem to value simplicity of dress shew and finery are every thing I
have some notion of putting such a trimming as this to my white and silver
poplin Do you think it will look well«
The whole party were but just reassembled in the drawingroom when Mr
Weston made his appearance among them He had returned to a late dinner and
walked to Hartfield as soon as it was over He had been too much expected by the
best judges for surprize but there was great joy Mr Woodhouse was almost as
glad to see him now as he would have been sorry to see him before John
Knightley only was in mute astonishment That a man who might have spent his
evening quietly at home after a day of business in London should set off again
and walk halfamile to another mans house for the sake of being in mixed
company till bedtime of finishing his day in the efforts of civility and the
noise of numbers was a circumstance to strike him deeply A man who had been in
motion since eight oclock in the morning and might now have been still who
had been long talking and might have been silent who had been in more than one
crowd and might have been alone Such a man to quit the tranquillity and
independence of his own fireside and on the evening of a cold sleety April day
rush out again into the world Could he by a touch of his finger have
instantly taken back his wife there would have been a motive but his coming
would probably prolong rather than break up the party John Knightley looked at
him with amazement then shrugged his shoulders and said »I could not have
believed it even of him«
Mr Weston meanwhile perfectly unsuspicious of the indignation he was
exciting happy and cheerful as usual and with all the right of being principal
talker which a day spent any where from home confers was making himself
agreeable among the rest and having satisfied the inquiries of his wife as to
his dinner convincing her that none of all her careful directions to the
servants had been forgotten and spread abroad what public news he had heard
was proceeding to a family communication which though principally addressed to
Mrs Weston he had not the smallest doubt of being highly interesting to every
body in the room He gave her a letter it was from Frank and to herself he
had met with it in his way and had taken the liberty of opening it
»Read it read it« said he »it will give you pleasure only a few lines
will not take you long read it to Emma«
The two ladies looked over it together and he sat smiling and talking to
them the whole time in a voice a little subdued but very audible to every
body
»Well he is coming you see good news I think Well what do you say to
it I always told you he would be here again soon did not I Anne my dear
did not I always tell you so and you would not believe me In town next week
you see at the latest I dare say for she is as impatient as the black
gentleman when any thing is to be done most likely they will be there tomorrow
or Saturday As to her illness all nothing of course But it is an excellent
thing to have Frank among us again so near as town They will stay a good while
when they do come and he will be half his time with us This is precisely what
I wanted Well pretty good news is not it Have you finished it Has Emma read
it all Put it up put it up we will have a good talk about it some other time
but it will not do now I shall only just mention the circumstance to the others
in a common way«
Mrs Weston was most comfortably pleased on the occasion Her looks and
words had nothing to restrain them She was happy she knew she was happy and
knew she ought to be happy Her congratulations were warm and open but Emma
could not speak so fluently She was a little occupied in weighing her own
feelings and trying to understand the degree of her agitation which she rather
thought was considerable
Mr Weston however too eager to be very observant too communicative to
want others to talk was very well satisfied with what she did say and soon
moved away to make the rest of his friends happy by a partial communication of
what the whole room must have overheard already
It was well that he took every bodys joy for granted or he might not have
thought either Mr Woodhouse or Mr Knightley particularly delighted They were
the first entitled after Mrs Weston and Emma to be made happy from them he
would have proceeded to Miss Fairfax but she was so deep in conversation with
John Knightley that it would have been too positive an interruption and
finding himself close to Mrs Elton and her attention disengaged he
necessarily began on the subject with her
Chapter XVIII
»I hope I shall soon have the pleasure of introducing my son to you« said Mr
Weston
Mrs Elton very willing to suppose a particular compliment intended her by
such a hope smiled most graciously
»You have heard of a certain Frank Churchill I presume« he continued
»and know him to be my son though he does not bear my name«
»Oh yes and I shall be very happy in his acquaintance I am sure Mr Elton
will lose no time in calling on him and we shall both have great pleasure in
seeing him at the Vicarage«
»You are very obliging Frank will be extremely happy I am sure He is
to be in town next week if not sooner We have notice of it in a letter today
I met the letters in my way this morning and seeing my sons hand presumed to
open it though it was not directed to me it was to Mrs Weston She is his
principal correspondent I assure you I hardly ever get a letter«
»And so you absolutely opened what was directed to her oh Mr Weston
laughing affectedly I must protest against that A most dangerous precedent
indeed I beg you will not let your neighbours follow your example Upon my
word if this is what I am to expect we married women must begin to exert
ourselves Oh Mr Weston I could not have believed it of you«
»Aye we men are sad fellows You must take care of yourself Mrs Elton
This letter tells us it is a short letter written in a hurry merely to give
us notice it tells us that they are all coming up to town directly on Mrs
Churchills account she has not been well the whole winter and thinks
Enscombe too cold for her so they are all to move southward without loss of
time«
»Indeed from Yorkshire I think Enscombe is in Yorkshire«
»Yes they are about 190 miles from London A considerable journey«
»Yes upon my word very considerable Sixtyfive miles farther than from
Maple Grove to London But what is distance Mr Weston to people of large
fortune You would be amazed to hear how my brother Mr Suckling sometimes
flies about You will hardly believe me but twice in one week he and Mr
Bragge went to London and back again with four horses«
»The evil of the distance from Enscombe« said Mr Weston »is that Mrs
Churchill as we understand has not been able to leave the sopha for a week
together In Franks last letter she complained he said of being too weak to
get into her conservatory without having both his arm and his uncles This you
know speaks a great degree of weakness but now she is so impatient to be in
town that she means to sleep only two nights on the road So Frank writes
word Certainly delicate ladies have very extraordinary constitutions Mrs
Elton You must grant me that«
»No indeed I shall grant you nothing I always take the part of my own
sex I do indeed I give you notice You will find me a formidable antagonist
on that point I always stand up for women and I assure you if you knew how
Selina feels with respect to sleeping at an inn you would not wonder at Mrs
Churchills making incredible exertions to avoid it Selina says it is quite
horror to her and I believe I have caught a little of her nicety She always
travels with her own sheets an excellent precaution Does Mrs Churchill do the
same«
»Depend upon it Mrs Churchill does every thing that any other fine lady
ever did Mrs Churchill will not be second to any lady in the land for«
Mrs Elton eagerly interposed with
»Oh Mr Weston do not mistake me Selina is no fine lady I assure you Do
not run away with such an idea«
»Is not she Then she is no rule for Mrs Churchill who is as thorough a
fine lady as any body ever beheld«
Mrs Elton began to think she had been wrong in disclaiming so warmly It
was by no means her object to have it believed that her sister was not a fine
lady perhaps there was want of spirit in the pretence of it and she was
considering in what way she had best retract when Mr Weston went on
»Mrs Churchill is not much in my good graces as you may suspect but this
is quite between ourselves She is very fond of Frank and therefore I would not
speak ill of her Besides she is out of health now but that indeed by her own
account she has always been I would not say so to every body Mrs Elton but
I have not much faith in Mrs Churchills illness«
»If she is really ill why not go to Bath Mr Weston To Bath or to
Clifton«
»She has taken it into her head that Enscombe is too cold for her The fact
is I suppose that she is tired of Enscombe She has now been a longer time
stationary there than she ever was before and she begins to want change It is
a retired place A fine place but very retired«
»Aye like Maple Grove I dare say Nothing can stand more retired from the
road than Maple Grove Such an immense plantation all round it You seem shut
out from every thing in the most complete retirement And Mrs Churchill
probably has not health or spirits like Selina to enjoy that sort of seclusion
Or perhaps she may not have resources enough in herself to be qualified for a
country life I always say a woman cannot have too many resources and I feel
very thankful that I have so many myself as to be quite independent of society«
»Frank was here in February for a fortnight«
»So I remember to have heard He will find an addition to the society of
Highbury when he comes again that is if I may presume to call myself an
addition But perhaps he may never have heard of there being such a creature in
the world«
This was too loud a call for a compliment to be passed by and Mr Weston
with a very good grace immediately exclaimed
»My dear madam Nobody but yourself could imagine such a thing possible Not
heard of you I believe Mrs Westons letters lately have been full of very
little else than Mrs Elton«
He had done his duty and could return to his son
»When Frank left us« continued he »it was quite uncertain when we might
see him again which makes this days news doubly welcome It has been
completely unexpected That is I always had a strong persuasion he would be
here again soon I was sure something favourable would turn up but nobody
believed me He and Mrs Weston were both dreadfully desponding How could he
contrive to come And how could it be supposed that his uncle and aunt would
spare him again and so forth I always felt that something would happen in our
favour and so it has you see I have observed Mrs Elton in the course of my
life that if things are going untowardly one month they are sure to mend the
next«
»Very true Mr Weston perfectly true It is just what I used to say to a
certain gentleman in company in the days of courtship when because things did
not go quite right did not proceed with all the rapidity which suited his
feelings he was apt to be in despair and exclaim that he was sure at this rate
it would be May before Hymens saffron robe would be put on for us Oh the
pains I have been at to dispel those gloomy ideas and give him cheerfuller
views The carriage we had disappointments about the carriage one morning
I remember he came to me quite in despair«
She was stopped by a slight fit of coughing and Mr Weston instantly seized
the opportunity of going on
»You were mentioning May May is the very month which Mrs Churchill is
ordered or has ordered herself to spend in some warmer place than Enscombe
in short to spend in London so that we have the agreeable prospect of frequent
visits from Frank the whole spring precisely the season of the year which one
should have chosen for it days almost at the longest weather genial and
pleasant always inviting one out and never too hot for exercise When he was
here before we made the best of it but there was a good deal of wet damp
cheerless weather there always is in February you know and we could not do
half that we intended Now will be the time This will be complete enjoyment
and I do not know Mrs Elton whether the uncertainty of our meetings the sort
of constant expectation there will be of his coming in today or tomorrow and
at any hour may not be more friendly to happiness than having him actually in
the house I think it is so I think it is the state of mind which gives most
spirit and delight I hope you will be pleased with my son but you must not
expect a prodigy He is generally thought a fine young man but do not expect a
prodigy Mrs Westons partiality for him is very great and as you may
suppose most gratifying to me She thinks nobody equal to him«
»And I assure you Mr Weston I have very little doubt that my opinion will
be decidedly in his favour I have heard so much in praise of Mr Frank
Churchill At the same time it is fair to observe that I am one of those who
always judge for themselves and are by no means implicitly guided by others I
give you notice that as I find your son so I shall judge of him I am no
flatterer«
Mr Weston was musing
»I hope« said he presently »I have not been severe upon poor Mrs
Churchill If she is ill I should be sorry to do her injustice but there are
some traits in her character which make it difficult for me to speak of her with
the forbearance I could wish You cannot be ignorant Mrs Elton of my
connection with the family nor of the treatment I have met with and between
ourselves the whole blame of it is to be laid to her She was the instigator
Franks mother would never have been slighted as she was but for her Mr
Churchill has pride but his pride is nothing to his wifes his is a quiet
indolent gentlemanlike sort of pride that would harm nobody and only make
himself a little helpless and tiresome but her pride is arrogance and
insolence And what inclines one less to bear she has no fair pretence of
family or blood She was nobody when he married her barely the daughter of a
gentleman but ever since her being turned into a Churchill she has
outChurchilld them all in high and mighty claims but in herself I assure
you she is an upstart«
»Only think well that must be infinitely provoking I have quite a horror
of upstarts Maple Grove has given me a thorough disgust to people of that sort
for there is a family in that neighbourhood who are such an annoyance to my
brother and sister from the airs they give themselves Your description of Mrs
Churchill made me think of them directly People of the name of Tupman very
lately settled there and encumbered with many low connections but giving
themselves immense airs and expecting to be on a footing with the old
established families A year and a half is the very utmost that they can have
lived at West Hall and how they got their fortune nobody knows They came from
Birmingham which is not a place to promise much you know Mr Weston One has
not great hopes from Birmingham I always say there is something direful in the
sound but nothing more is positively known of the Tupmans though a good many
things I assure you are suspected and yet by their manners they evidently think
themselves equal even to my brother Mr Suckling who happens to be one of
their nearest neighbours It is infinitely too bad Mr Suckling who has been
eleven years a resident at Maple Grove and whose father had it before him I
believe at least I am almost sure that old Mr Suckling had completed the
purchase before his death«
They were interrupted Tea was carrying round and Mr Weston having said
all that he wanted soon took the opportunity of walking away
After tea Mr and Mrs Weston and Mr Elton sat down with Mr Woodhouse to
cards The remaining five were left to their own powers and Emma doubted their
getting on very well for Mr Knightley seemed little disposed for conversation
Mrs Elton was wanting notice which nobody had inclination to pay and she was
herself in a worry of spirits which would have made her prefer being silent
Mr John Knightley proved more talkative than his brother He was to leave
them early the next day and he soon began with
»Well Emma I do not believe I have any thing more to say about the boys
but you have your sisters letter and every thing is down at full length there
we may be sure My charge would be much more concise than hers and probably
not much in the same spirit all that I have to recommend being comprised in do
not spoil them and do not physic them«
»I rather hope to satisfy you both« said Emma »for I shall do all in my
power to make them happy which will be enough for Isabella and happiness must
preclude false indulgence and physic«
»And if you find them troublesome you must send them home again«
»That is very likely You think so do not you«
»I hope I am aware that they may be too noisy for your father or even may
be some incumbrance to you if your visitingengagements continue to increase as
much as they have done lately«
»Increase«
»Certainly you must be sensible that the last half year has made a great
difference in your way of life«
»Difference No indeed I am not«
»There can be no doubt of your being much more engaged with company than you
used to be Witness this very time Here am I come down for only one day and
you are engaged with a dinnerparty When did it happen before or any thing
like it Your neighbourhood is increasing and you mix more with it A little
while ago every letter to Isabella brought an account of fresh gaieties
dinners at Mr Coles or balls at the Crown The difference which Randalls
Randalls alone makes in your goingson is very great«
»Yes« said his brother quickly »it is Randalls that does it all«
»Very well and as Randalls I suppose is not likely to have less
influence than heretofore it strikes me as a possible thing Emma that Henry
and John may be sometimes in the way And if they are I only beg you to send
them home«
»No« cried Mr Knightley »that need not be the consequence Let them be
sent to Donwell I shall certainly be at leisure«
»Upon my word« exclaimed Emma »you amuse me I should like to know how
many of all my numerous engagements take place without your being of the party
and why I am to be supposed in danger of wanting leisure to attend to the little
boys These amazing engagements of mine what have they been Dining once with
the Coles and having a ball talked of which never took place I can
understand you nodding at Mr John Knightley your good fortune in meeting
with so many of your friends at once here delights you too much to pass
unnoticed But you turning to Mr Knightley who know how very very seldom I
am ever two hours from Hartfield why you should foresee such a series of
dissipation for me I cannot imagine And as to my dear little boys I must say
that if aunt Emma has not time for them I do not think they would fare much
better with uncle Knightley who is absent from home about five hours where she
is absent one and who when he is at home is either reading to himself or
settling his accounts«
Mr Knightley seemed to be trying not to smile and succeeded without
difficulty upon Mrs Eltons beginning to talk to him
Volume III
Chapter I
A very little quiet reflection was enough to satisfy Emma as to the nature of
her agitation on hearing this news of Frank Churchill She was soon convinced
that it was not for herself she was feeling at all apprehensive or embarrassed
it was for him Her own attachment had really subsided into a mere nothing it
was not worth thinking of but if he who had undoubtedly been always so much
the most in love of the two were to be returning with the same warmth of
sentiment which he had taken away it would be very distressing If a separation
of two months should not have cooled him there were dangers and evils before
her caution for him and for herself would be necessary She did not mean to
have her own affections entangled again and it would be incumbent on her to
avoid any encouragement of his
She wished she might be able to keep him from an absolute declaration That
would be so very painful a conclusion of their present acquaintance and yet
she could not help rather anticipating something decisive She felt as if the
spring would not pass without bringing a crisis an event a something to alter
her present composed and tranquil state
It was not very long though rather longer than Mr Weston had foreseen
before she had the power of forming some opinion of Frank Churchills feelings
The Enscombe family were not in town quite so soon as had been imagined but he
was at Highbury very soon afterwards He rode down for a couple of hours he
could not yet do more but as he came from Randalls immediately to Hartfield
she could then exercise all her quick observation and speedily determine how he
was influenced and how she must act They met with the utmost friendliness
There could be no doubt of his great pleasure in seeing her But she had an
almost instant doubt of his caring for her as he had done of his feeling the
same tenderness in the same degree She watched him well It was a clear thing
he was less in love than he had been Absence with the conviction probably of
her indifference had produced this very natural and very desirable effect
He was in high spirits as ready to talk and laugh as ever and seemed
delighted to speak of his former visit and recur to old stories and he was not
without agitation It was not in his calmness that she read his comparative
indifference He was not calm his spirits were evidently fluttered there was
restlessness about him Lively as he was it seemed a liveliness that did not
satisfy himself but what decided her belief on the subject was his staying
only a quarter of an hour and hurrying away to make other calls in Highbury
»He had seen a group of old acquaintance in the street as he passed he had not
stopped he would not stop for more than a word but he had the vanity to think
they would be disappointed if he did not call and much as he wished to stay
longer at Hartfield he must hurry off«
She had no doubt as to his being less in love but neither his agitated
spirits nor his hurrying away seemed like a perfect cure and she was rather
inclined to think it implied a dread of her returning power and a discreet
resolution of not trusting himself with her long
This was the only visit from Frank Churchill in the course of ten days He
was often hoping intending to come but was always prevented His aunt could
not bear to have him leave her Such was his own account at Randalls If he
were quite sincere if he really tried to come it was to be inferred that Mrs
Churchills removal to London had been of no service to the wilful or nervous
part of her disorder That she was really ill was very certain he had declared
himself convinced of it at Randalls Though much might be fancy he could not
doubt when he looked back that she was in a weaker state of health than she
had been half a year ago He did not believe it to proceed from any thing that
care and medicine might not remove or at least that she might not have many
years of existence before her but he could not be prevailed on by all his
fathers doubts to say that her complaints were merely imaginary or that she
was as strong as ever
It soon appeared that London was not the place for her She could not endure
its noise Her nerves were under continual irritation and suffering and by the
ten days end her nephews letter to Randalls communicated a change of plan
They were going to remove immediately to Richmond Mrs Churchill had been
recommended to the medical skill of an eminent person there and had otherwise a
fancy for the place A readyfurnished house in a favourite spot was engaged
and much benefit expected from the change
Emma heard that Frank wrote in the highest spirits of this arrangement and
seemed most fully to appreciate the blessing of having two months before him of
such near neighbourhood to many dear friends for the house was taken for May
and June She was told that now he wrote with the greatest confidence of being
often with them almost as often as he could even wish
Emma saw how Mr Weston understood these joyous prospects He was
considering her as the source of all the happiness they offered She hoped it
was not so Two months must bring it to the proof
Mr Westons own happiness was indisputable He was quite delighted It was
the very circumstance he could have wished for Now it would be really having
Frank in their neighbourhood What were nine miles to a young man An hours
ride He would be always coming over The difference in that respect of Richmond
and London was enough to make the whole difference of seeing him always and
seeing him never Sixteen miles nay eighteen it must be full eighteen to
Manchesterstreet was a serious obstacle Were he ever able to get away the
day would be spent in coming and returning There was no comfort in having him
in London he might as well be at Enscombe but Richmond was the very distance
for easy intercourse Better than nearer
One good thing was immediately brought to a certainty by this removal the
ball at the Crown It had not been forgotten before but it had been soon
acknowledged vain to attempt to fix a day Now however it was absolutely to
be every preparation was resumed and very soon after the Churchills had
removed to Richmond a few lines from Frank to say that his aunt felt already
much better for the change and that he had no doubt of being able to join them
for twentyfour hours at any given time induced them to name as early a day as
possible
Mr Westons ball was to be a real thing A very few tomorrows stood
between the young people of Highbury and happiness
Mr Woodhouse was resigned The time of year lightened the evil to him May
was better for every thing than February Mrs Bates was engaged to spend the
evening at Hartfield James had due notice and he sanguinely hoped that neither
dear little Henry nor dear little John would have any thing the matter with
them while dear Emma were gone
Chapter II
No misfortune occurred again to prevent the ball The day approached the day
arrived and after a morning of some anxious watching Frank Churchill in all
the certainty of his own self reached Randalls before dinner and every thing
was safe
No second meeting had there yet been between him and Emma The room at the
Crown was to witness it but it would be better than a common meeting in a
crowd Mr Weston had been so very earnest in his entreaties for her early
attendance for her arriving there as soon as possible after themselves for the
purpose of taking her opinion as to the propriety and comfort of the rooms
before any other persons came that she could not refuse him and must therefore
spend some quiet interval in the young mans company She was to convey Harriet
and they drove to the Crown in good time the Randalls party just sufficiently
before them
Frank Churchill seemed to have been on the watch and though he did not say
much his eyes declared that he meant to have a delightful evening They all
walked about together to see that every thing was as it should be and within a
few minutes were joined by the contents of another carriage which Emma could
not hear the sound of at first without great surprise »So unreasonably early«
she was going to exclaim but she presently found that it was a family of old
friends who were coming like herself by particular desire to help Mr
Westons judgement and they were so very closely followed by another carriage
of cousins who had been entreated to come early with the same distinguishing
earnestness on the same errand that it seemed as if half the company might
soon be collected together for the purpose of preparatory inspection
Emma perceived that her taste was not the only taste on which Mr Weston
depended and felt that to be the favourite and intimate of a man who had so
many intimates and confidantes was not the very first distinction in the scale
of vanity She liked his open manners but a little less of openheartedness
would have made him a higher character General benevolence but not general
friendship made a man what he ought to be She could fancy such a man
The whole party walked about and looked and praised again and then
having nothing else to do formed a sort of half circle round the fire to
observe in their various modes till other subjects were started that though
May a fire in the evening was still very pleasant
Emma found that it was not Mr Westons fault that the number of privy
counsellors was not yet larger They had stopped at Mrs Batess door to offer
the use of their carriage but the aunt and niece were to be brought by the
Eltons
Frank was standing by her but not steadily there was a restlessness which
showed a mind not at ease He was looking about he was going to the door he
was watching for the sound of other carriages impatient to begin or afraid
of being always near her
Mrs Elton was spoken of »I think she must be here soon« said he »I have
a great curiosity to see Mrs Elton I have heard so much of her It cannot be
long I think before she comes«
A carriage was heard He was on the move immediately but coming back said
»I am forgetting that I am not acquainted with her I have never seen either
Mr or Mrs Elton I have no business to put myself forward«
Mr and Mrs Elton appeared and all the smiles and the proprieties passed
»But Miss Bates and Miss Fairfax« said Mr Weston looking about »We
thought you were to bring them«
The mistake had been slight The carriage was sent for them now Emma longed
to know what Franks first opinion of Mrs Elton might be how he was affected
by the studied elegance of her dress and her smiles of graciousness He was
immediately qualifying himself to form an opinion by giving her very proper
attention after the introduction had passed
In a few minutes the carriage returned Somebody talked of rain »I will
see that there are umbrellas sir« said Frank to his father »Miss Bates must
not be forgotten« and away he went Mr Weston was following but Mrs Elton
detained him to gratify him by her opinion of his son and so briskly did she
begin that the young man himself though by no means moving slowly could
hardly be out of hearing
»A very fine young man indeed Mr Weston You know I candidly told you I
should form my own opinion and I am happy to say that I am extremely pleased
with him You may believe me I never compliment I think him a very handsome
young man and his manners are precisely what I like and approve so truly the
gentleman without the least conceit or puppyism You must know I have a vast
dislike to puppies quite a horror of them They were never tolerated at Maple
Grove Neither Mr Suckling nor me had ever any patience with them and we used
sometimes to say very cutting things Selina who is mild almost to a fault
bore with them much better«
While she talked of his son Mr Westons attention was chained but when
she got to Maple Grove he could recollect that there were ladies just arriving
to be attended to and with happy smiles must hurry away
Mrs Elton turned to Mrs Weston »I have no doubt of its being our carriage
with Miss Bates and Jane Our coachman and horses are so extremely expeditious
I believe we drive faster than anybody What a pleasure it is to send ones
carriage for a friend I understand you were so kind as to offer but another
time it will be quite unnecessary You may be very sure I shall always take care
of them«
Miss Bates and Miss Fairfax escorted by the two gentlemen walked into the
room and Mrs Elton seemed to think it as much her duty as Mrs Westons to
receive them Her gestures and movements might be understood by any one who
looked on like Emma but her words every bodys words were soon lost under the
incessant flow of Miss Bates who came in talking and had not finished her
speech under many minutes after her being admitted into the circle at the fire
As the door opened she was heard
»So very obliging of you No rain at all Nothing to signify I do not
care for myself Quite thick shoes And Jane declares Well as soon as she
was within the door Well This is brilliant indeed This is admirable
Excellently contrived upon my word Nothing wanting Could not have imagined
it So well lighted up Jane Jane look did you ever see any thing? Oh
Mr Weston you must really have had Aladdins lamp Good Mrs Stokes would not
know her own room again I saw her as I came in she was standing in the
entrance Oh Mrs Stokes said I but I had not time for more« She was now
met by Mrs Weston »Very well I thank you maam I hope you are quite well
Very happy to hear it So afraid you might have a headach seeing you pass by
so often and knowing how much trouble you must have Delighted to hear it
indeed Ah dear Mrs Elton so obliged to you for the carriage excellent
time Jane and I quite ready Did not keep the horses a moment Most
comfortable carriage Oh and I am sure our thanks are due to you Mrs
Weston on that score Mrs Elton had most kindly sent Jane a note or we should
have been But two such offers in one day Never were such neighbours I
said to my mother Upon my word maam Thank you my mother is remarkably
well Gone to Mr Woodhouses I made her take her shawl for the evenings are
not warm her large new shawl Mrs Dixons wedding present So kind of her
to think of my mother Bought at Weymouth you know Mr Dixons choice There
were three others Jane says which they hesitated about some time Colonel
Campbell rather preferred an olive My dear Jane are you sure you did not wet
your feet It was but a drop or two but I am so afraid but Mr Frank
Churchill was so extremely and there was a mat to step upon I shall never
forget his extreme politeness Oh Mr Frank Churchill I must tell you my
mothers spectacles have never been in fault since the rivet never came out
again My mother often talks of your goodnature Does not she Jane Do not we
often talk of Mr Frank Churchill Ah heres Miss Woodhouse Dear Miss
Woodhouse how do you do Very well I thank you quite well This is meeting
quite in fairyland Such a transformation Must not compliment I know
eyeing Emma most complacently that would be rude but upon my word Miss
Woodhouse you do look how do you like Janes hair You are a judge She
did it all herself Quite wonderful how she does her hair No hairdresser from
London I think could Ah Dr Hughes I declare and Mrs Hughes Must go and
speak to Dr and Mrs Hughes for a moment How do you do How do you do
Very well I thank you This is delightful is not it Where s dear Mr
Richard Oh there he is Dont disturb him Much better employed talking to
the young ladies How do you do Mr Richard I saw you the other day as you
rode through the town Mrs Otway I protest and good Mr Otway and Miss
Otway and Miss Caroline Such a host of friends and Mr George and Mr
Arthur How do you do How do you all do Quite well I am much obliged to
you Never better Dont I hear another carriage Who can this be very
likely the worthy Coles Upon my word this is charming to be standing about
among such friends And such a noble fire I am quite roasted No coffee I
thank you for me never take coffee A little tea if you please sir by and
bye no hurry Oh here it comes Everything so good«
Frank Churchill returned to his station by Emma and as soon as Miss Bates
was quiet she found herself necessarily overhearing the discourse of Mrs Elton
and Miss Fairfax who were standing a little way behind her He was
thoughtful Whether he were overhearing too she could not determine After a
good many compliments to Jane on her dress and look compliments very quietly
and properly taken Mrs Elton was evidently wanting to be complimented herself
and it was »How do you like my gown How do you like my trimming How has
Wright done my hair« with many other relative questions all answered with
patient politeness Mrs Elton then said
»Nobody can think less of dress in general than I do but upon such an
occasion as this when everybodys eyes are so much upon me and in compliment
to the Westons who I have no doubt are giving this ball chiefly to do me
honour I would not wish to be inferior to others And I see very few pearls in
the room except mine So Frank Churchill is a capital dancer I understand
We shall see if our styles suit A fine young man certainly is Frank
Churchill I like him very well«
At this moment Frank began talking so vigorously that Emma could not but
imagine he had overheard his own praises and did not want to hear more and
the voices of the ladies were drowned for awhile till another suspension
brought Mrs Eltons tones again distinctly forward Mr Elton had just joined
them and his wife was exclaiming
»Oh you have found us out at last have you in our seclusion I was this
moment telling Jane I thought you would begin to be impatient for tidings of
us«
»Jane« repeated Frank Churchill with a look of surprise and displeasure
»That is easy but Miss Fairfax does not disapprove it I suppose«
»How do you like Mrs Elton« said Emma in a whisper
»Not at all«
»You are ungrateful«
»Ungrateful What do you mean« Then changing from a frown to a smile
»No do not tell me I do not want to know what you mean Where is my father
When are we to begin dancing«
Emma could hardly understand him he seemed in an odd humour He walked off
to find his father but was quickly back again with both Mr and Mrs Weston He
had met with them in a little perplexity which must be laid before Emma It had
just occurred to Mrs Weston that Mrs Elton must be asked to begin the ball
that she would expect it which interfered with all their wishes of giving Emma
that distinction Emma heard the sad truth with fortitude
»And what are we to do for a proper partner for her« said Mr Weston »She
will think Frank ought to ask her«
Frank turned instantly to Emma to claim her former promise and boasted
himself an engaged man which his father looked his most perfect approbation of
and it then appeared that Mrs Weston was wanting him to dance with Mrs Elton
himself and that their business was to help to persuade him into it which was
done pretty soon Mr Weston and Mrs Elton led the way Mr Frank Churchill
and Miss Woodhouse followed Emma must submit to stand second to Mrs Elton
though she had always considered the ball as peculiarly for her It was almost
enough to make her think of marrying
Mrs Elton had undoubtedly the advantage at this time in vanity completely
gratified for though she had intended to begin with Frank Churchill she could
not lose by the change Mr Weston might be his sons superior In spite of
this little rub however Emma was smiling with enjoyment delighted to see the
respectable length of the set as it was forming and to feel that she had so
many hours of unusual festivity before her She was more disturbed by Mr
Knightleys not dancing than by any thing else There he was among the
standersby where he ought not to be he ought to be dancing not classing
himself with the husbands and fathers and whistplayers who were pretending
to feel an interest in the dance till their rubbers were made up so young as
he looked He could not have appeared to greater advantage perhaps any where
than where he had placed himself His tall firm upright figure among the
bulky forms and stooping shoulders of the elderly men was such as Emma felt
must draw every bodys eyes and excepting her own partner there was not one
among the whole row of young men who could be compared with him He moved a
few steps nearer and those few steps were enough to prove in how gentlemanlike
a manner with what natural grace he must have danced would he but take the
trouble Whenever she caught his eye she forced him to smile but in general
he was looking grave She wished he could love a ballroom better and could like
Frank Churchill better He seemed often observing her She must not flatter
herself that he thought of her dancing but if he were criticising her
behaviour she did not feel afraid There was nothing like flirtation between
her and her partner They seemed more like cheerful easy friends than lovers
That Frank Churchill thought less of her than he had done was indubitable
The ball proceeded pleasantly The anxious cares the incessant attentions
of Mrs Weston were not thrown away Every body seemed happy and the praise of
being a delightful ball which is seldom bestowed till after a ball has ceased
to be was repeatedly given in the very beginning of the existence of this Of
very important very recordable events it was not more productive than such
meetings usually are There was one however which Emma thought something of
The two last dances before supper were begun and Harriet had no partner the
only young lady sitting down and so equal had been hitherto the number of
dancers that how there could be any one disengaged was the wonder But Emmas
wonder lessened soon afterwards on seeing Mr Elton sauntering about He would
not ask Harriet to dance if it were possible to be avoided she was sure he
would not and she was expecting him every moment to escape into the cardroom
Escape however was not his plan He came to the part of the room where the
sittersby were collected spoke to some and walked about in front of them as
if to show his liberty and his resolution of maintaining it He did not omit
being sometimes directly before Miss Smith or speaking to those who were close
to her Emma saw it She was not yet dancing she was working her way up from
the bottom and had therefore leisure to look around and by only turning her
head a little she saw it all When she was half way up the set the whole group
were exactly behind her and she would no longer allow her eyes to watch but
Mr Elton was so near that she heard every syllable of a dialogue which just
then took place between him and Mrs Weston and she perceived that his wife
who was standing immediately above her was not only listening also but even
encouraging him by significant glances The kindhearted gentle Mrs Weston
had left her seat to join him and say »Do not you dance Mr Elton« to which
his prompt reply was »Most readily Mrs Weston if you will dance with me«
»Me oh no I would get you a better partner than myself I am no
dancer«
»If Mrs Gilbert wishes to dance« said he »I shall have great pleasure I
am sure for though beginning to feel myself rather an old married man and
that my dancing days are over it would give me very great pleasure at any time
to stand up with an old friend like Mrs Gilbert«
»Mrs Gilbert does not mean to dance but there is a young lady disengaged
whom I should be very glad to see dancing Miss Smith« »Miss Smith oh I
had not observed You are extremely obliging and if I were not an old
married man But my dancing days are over Mrs Weston You will excuse me
Any thing else I should be most happy to do at your command but my dancing
days are over«
Mrs Weston said no more and Emma could imagine with what surprise and
mortification she must be returning to her seat This was Mr Elton the
amiable obliging gentle Mr Elton She looked round for a moment he had
joined Mr Knightley at a little distance and was arranging himself for settled
conversation while smiles of high glee passed between him and his wife
She would not look again Her heart was in a glow and she feared her face
might be as hot
In another moment a happier sight caught her Mr Knightley leading
Harriet to the set Never had she been more surprised seldom more delighted
than at that instant She was all pleasure and gratitude both for Harriet and
herself and longed to be thanking him and though too distant for speech her
countenance said much as soon as she could catch his eye again
His dancing proved to be just what she had believed it extremely good and
Harriet would have seemed almost too lucky if it had not been for the cruel
state of things before and for the very complete enjoyment and very high sense
of the distinction which her happy features announced It was not thrown away on
her she bounded higher than ever flew farther down the middle and was in a
continual course of smiles
Mr Elton had retreated into the cardroom looking Emma trusted very
foolish She did not think he was quite so hardened as his wife though growing
very like her she spoke some of her feelings by observing audibly to her
partner
»Knightley has taken pity on poor little Miss Smith Very goodnatured I
declare«
Supper was announced The move began and Miss Bates might be heard from
that moment without interruption till her being seated at table and taking up
her spoon
»Jane Jane my dear Jane where are you Here is your tippet Mrs Weston
begs you to put on your tippet She says she is afraid there will be draughts in
the passage though every thing has been done One door nailed up Quantities
of matting My dear Jane indeed you must Mr Churchill oh you are too
obliging How well you put it on so gratified Excellent dancing indeed
Yes my dear I ran home as I said I should to help grandmamma to bed and got
back again and nobody missed me I set off without saying a word just as I
told you Grandmamma was quite well had a charming evening with Mr Woodhouse
a vast deal of chat and backgammon Tea was made down stairs biscuits and
baked apples and wine before she came away amazing luck in some of her throws
and she inquired a great deal about you how you were amused and who were your
partners Oh said I I shall not forestall Jane I left her dancing with Mr
George Otway she will love to tell you all about it herself tomorrow her
first partner was Mr Elton I do not know who will ask her next perhaps Mr
William Cox My dear sir you are too obliging Is there nobody you would not
rather I am not helpless Sir you are most kind Upon my word Jane on one
arm and me on the other Stop stop let us stand a little back Mrs Elton
is going dear Mrs Elton how elegant she looks Beautiful lace Now we all
follow in her train Quite the queen of the evening Well here we are at the
passage Two steps Jane take care of the two steps Oh no there is but one
Well I was persuaded there were two How very odd I was convinced there were
two and there is but one I never saw any thing equal to the comfort and style
Candles every where I was telling you of your grandmamma Jane There was
a little disappointment The baked apples and biscuits excellent in their
way you know but there was a delicate fricassee of sweetbread and some
asparagus brought in at first and good Mr Woodhouse not thinking the
asparagus quite boiled enough sent it all out again Now there is nothing
grandmamma loves better than sweetbread and asparagus so she was rather
disappointed but we agreed we would not speak of it to any body for fear of
its getting round to dear Miss Woodhouse who would be so very much concerned
Well this is brilliant I am all amazement could not have supposed any thing!
Such elegance and profusion I have seen nothing like it since Well where
shall we sit where shall we sit Any where so that Jane is not in a draught
Where I sit is of no consequence Oh do you recommend this side Well I am
sure Mr Churchill only it seems too good but just as you please What you
direct in this house cannot be wrong Dear Jane how shall we ever recollect
half the dishes for grandmamma Soup too Bless me I should not be helped so
soon but it smells most excellent and I cannot help beginning«
Emma had no opportunity of speaking to Mr Knightley till after supper but
when they were all in the ballroom again her eyes invited him irresistibly to
come to her and be thanked He was warm in his reprobation of Mr Eltons
conduct it had been unpardonable rudeness and Mrs Eltons looks also received
the due share of censure
»They aimed at wounding more than Harriet« said he »Emma why is it that
they are your enemies«
He looked with smiling penetration and on receiving no answer added »She
ought not to be angry with you I suspect whatever he may be To that
surmise you say nothing of course but confess Emma that you did want him to
marry Harriet«
»I did« replied Emma »and they cannot forgive me«
He shook his head but there was a smile of indulgence with it and he only
said
»I shall not scold you I leave you to your own reflections«
»Can you trust me with such flatterers Does my vain spirit ever tell me I
am wrong«
»Not your vain spirit but your serious spirit If one leads you wrong I
am sure the other tells you of it«
»I do own myself to have been completely mistaken in Mr Elton There is a
littleness about him which you discovered and which I did not and I was fully
convinced of his being in love with Harriet It was through a series of strange
blunders«
»And in return for your acknowledging so much I will do you the justice to
say that you would have chosen for him better than he has chosen for himself
Harriet Smith has some firstrate qualities which Mrs Elton is totally
without An unpretending singleminded artless girl infinitely to be
preferred by any man of sense and taste to such a woman as Mrs Elton I found
Harriet more conversable than I expected«
Emma was extremely gratified They were interrupted by the bustle of Mr
Weston calling on every body to begin dancing again
»Come Miss Woodhouse Miss Otway Miss Fairfax what are you all doing
Come Emma set your companions the example Every body is lazy Every body is
asleep«
»I am ready« said Emma »whenever I am wanted«
»Whom are you going to dance with« asked Mr Knightley
She hesitated a moment and then replied »With you if you will ask me«
»Will you« said he offering his hand
»Indeed I will You have shown that you can dance and you know we are not
really so much brother and sister as to make it at all improper«
»Brother and sister no indeed«
Chapter III
This little explanation with Mr Knightley gave Emma considerable pleasure It
was one of the agreeable recollections of the ball which she walked about the
lawn the next morning to enjoy She was extremely glad that they had come to
so good an understanding respecting the Eltons and that their opinions of both
husband and wife were so much alike and his praise of Harriet his concession
in her favour was peculiarly gratifying The impertinence of the Eltons which
for a few minutes had threatened to ruin the rest of her evening had been the
occasion of some of its highest satisfactions and she looked forward to another
happy result the cure of Harriets infatuation From Harriets manner of
speaking of the circumstance before they quitted the ballroom she had strong
hopes It seemed as if her eyes were suddenly opened and she were enabled to
see that Mr Elton was not the superior creature she had believed him The fever
was over and Emma could harbour little fear of the pulse being quickened again
by injurious courtesy She depended on the evil feelings of the Eltons for
supplying all the discipline of pointed neglect that could be further requisite
Harriet rational Frank Churchill not too much in love and Mr Knightley not
wanting to quarrel with her how very happy a summer must be before her
She was not to see Frank Churchill this morning He had told her that he
could not allow himself the pleasure of stopping at Hartfield as he was to be
at home by the middle of the day She did not regret it
Having arranged all these matters looked them through and put them all to
rights she was just turning to the house with spirits freshened up for the
demands of the two little boys as well as of their grandpapa when the great
iron sweepgate opened and two persons entered whom she had never less expected
to see together Frank Churchill with Harriet leaning on his arm actually
Harriet A moment sufficed to convince her that something extraordinary had
happened Harriet looked white and frightened and he was trying to cheer her
The iron gates and the front door were not twenty yards asunder they were all
three soon in the hall and Harriet immediately sinking into a chair fainted
away
A young lady who faints must be recovered questions must be answered and
surprises be explained Such events are very interesting but the suspense of
them cannot last long A few minutes made Emma acquainted with the whole
Miss Smith and Miss Bickerton another parlour boarder at Mrs Goddards
who had been also at the ball had walked out together and taken a road the
Richmond road which though apparently public enough for safety had led them
into alarm About half a mile beyond Highbury making a sudden turn and
deeply shaded by elms on each side it became for a considerable stretch very
retired and when the young ladies had advanced some way into it they had
suddenly perceived at a small distance before them on a broader patch of
greensward by the side a party of gipsies A child on the watch came towards
them to beg and Miss Bickerton excessively frightened gave a great scream
and calling on Harriet to follow her ran up a steep bank cleared a slight
hedge at the top and made the best of her way by a short cut back to Highbury
But poor Harriet could not follow She had suffered very much from cramp after
dancing and her first attempt to mount the bank brought on such a return of it
as made her absolutely powerless and in this state and exceedingly terrified
she had been obliged to remain
How the trampers might have behaved had the young ladies been more
courageous must be doubtful but such an invitation for attack could not be
resisted and Harriet was soon assailed by half a dozen children headed by a
stout woman and a great boy all clamorous and impertinent in look though not
absolutely in word More and more frightened she immediately promised them
money and taking out her purse gave them a shilling and begged them not to
want more or to use her ill She was then able to walk though but slowly
and was moving away but her terror and her purse were too tempting and she
was followed or rather surrounded by the whole gang demanding more
In this state Frank Churchill had found her she trembling and conditioning
they loud and insolent By a most fortunate chance his leaving Highbury had been
delayed so as to bring him to her assistance at this critical moment The
pleasantness of the morning had induced him to walk forward and leave his
horses to meet him by another road a mile or two beyond Highbury and
happening to have borrowed a pair of scissars the night before of Miss Bates
and to have forgotten to restore them he had been obliged to stop at her door
and go in for a few minutes he was therefore later than he had intended and
being on foot was unseen by the whole party till almost close to them The
terror which the woman and boy had been creating in Harriet was then their own
portion He had left them completely frightened and Harriet eagerly clinging to
him and hardly able to speak had just strength enough to reach Hartfield
before her spirits were quite overcome It was his idea to bring her to
Hartfield he had thought of no other place
This was the amount of the whole story of his communication and of
Harriets as soon as she had recovered her senses and speech He dared not
stay longer than to see her well these several delays left him not another
minute to lose and Emma engaging to give assurance of her safety to Mrs
Goddard and notice of there being such a set of people in the neighbourhood to
Mr Knightley he set off with all the grateful blessings that she could utter
for her friend and herself
Such an adventure as this a fine young man and a lovely young woman
thrown together in such a way could hardly fail of suggesting certain ideas to
the coldest heart and the steadiest brain So Emma thought at least Could a
linguist could a grammarian could even a mathematician have seen what she did
have witnessed their appearance together and heard their history of it without
feeling that circumstances had been at work to make them peculiarly interesting
to each other How much more must an imaginist like herself be on fire with
speculation and foresight especially with such a groundwork of anticipation
as her mind had already made
It was a very extraordinary thing Nothing of the sort had ever occurred
before to any young ladies in the place within her memory no rencontre no
alarm of the kind and now it had happened to the very person and at the very
hour when the other very person was chancing to pass by to rescue her It
certainly was very extraordinary And knowing as she did the favourable
state of mind of each at this period it struck her the more He was wishing to
get the better of his attachment to herself she just recovering from her mania
for Mr Elton It seemed as if every thing united to promise the most
interesting consequences It was not possible that the occurrence should not be
strongly recommending each to the other
In the few minutes conversation which she had yet had with him while
Harriet had been partially insensible he had spoken of her terror her naïveté
her fervor as she seized and clung to his arm with a sensibility amused and
delighted and just at last after Harriets own account had been given he had
expressed his indignation at the abominable folly of Miss Bickerton in the
warmest terms Every thing was to take its natural course however neither
impelled nor assisted She would not stir a step nor drop a hint No she had
had enough of interference There could be no harm in a scheme a mere passive
scheme It was no more than a wish Beyond it she would on no account proceed
Emmas first resolution was to keep her father from the knowledge of what
had passed aware of the anxiety and alarm it would occasion but she soon
felt that concealment must be impossible Within half an hour it was known all
over Highbury It was the very event to engage those who talk most the young
and the low and all the youth and servants in the place were soon in the
happiness of frightful news The last nights ball seemed lost in the gipsies
Poor Mr Woodhouse trembled as he sat and as Emma had foreseen would scarcely
be satisfied without their promising never to go beyond the shrubbery again It
was some comfort to him that many inquiries after himself and Miss Woodhouse
for his neighbours knew that he loved to be inquired after as well as Miss
Smith were coming in during the rest of the day and he had the pleasure of
returning for answer that they were all very indifferent which though not
exactly true for she was perfectly well and Harriet not much otherwise Emma
would not interfere with She had an unhappy state of health in general for the
child of such a man for she hardly knew what indisposition was and if he did
not invent illnesses for her she could make no figure in a message
The gipsies did not wait for the operations of justice they took themselves
off in a hurry The young ladies of Highbury might have walked again in safety
before their panic began and the whole history dwindled soon into a matter of
little importance but to Emma and her nephews in her imagination it
maintained its ground and Henry and John were still asking every day for the
story of Harriet and the gipsies and still tenaciously setting her right if she
varied in the slightest particular from the original recital
Chapter IV
A very few days had passed after this adventure when Harriet came one morning
to Emma with a small parcel in her hand and after sitting down and hesitating
thus began
»Miss Woodhouse if you are at leisure I have something that I should
like to tell you a sort of confession to make and then you know it will be
over«
Emma was a good deal surprised but begged her to speak There was a
seriousness in Harriets manner which prepared her quite as much as her words
for something more than ordinary
»It is my duty and I am sure it is my wish« she continued »to have no
reserves with you on this subject As I am happily quite an altered creature in
one respect it is very fit that you should have the satisfaction of knowing it
I do not want to say more than is necessary I am too much ashamed of having
given way as I have done and I dare say you understand me«
»Yes« said Emma »I hope I do«
»How I could so long a time be fancying myself « cried Harriet warmly
»It seems like madness I can see nothing at all extraordinary in him now I
do not care whether I meet him or not except that of the two I had rather not
see him and indeed I would go any distance round to avoid him but I do not
envy his wife in the least I neither admire her nor envy her as I have done
she is very charming I dare say and all that but I think her very
illtempered and disagreeable I shall never forget her look the other night
However I assure you Miss Woodhouse I wish her no evil No let them be
ever so happy together it will not give me another moments pang and to
convince you that I have been speaking truth I am now going to destroy what I
ought to have destroyed long ago what I ought never to have kept I know that
very well blushing as she spoke However now I will destroy it all and it
is my particular wish to do it in your presence that you may see how rational I
am grown Cannot you guess what this parcel holds« said she with a conscious
look
»Not the least in the world Did he ever give you any thing?«
»No I cannot call them gifts but they are things that I have valued very
much«
She held the parcel towards her and Emma read the words Most precious
treasures on the top Her curiosity was greatly excited Harriet unfolded the
parcel and she looked on with impatience Within abundance of silver paper was
a pretty little Tunbridgeware box which Harriet opened it was well lined with
the softest cotton but excepting the cotton Emma saw only a small piece of
court plaister
»Now« said Harriet »you must recollect«
»No indeed I do not«
»Dear me I should not have thought it possible you could forget what passed
in this very room about court plaister one of the very last times we ever met
in it It was but a very few days before I had my sore throat just before
Mr and Mrs John Knightley came I think the very evening Do not you
remember his cutting his finger with your new penknife and your recommending
court plaister But as you had none about you and knew I had you desired me
to supply him and so I took mine out and cut him a piece but it was a great
deal too large and he cut it smaller and kept playing some time with what was
left before he gave it back to me And so then in my nonsense I could not
help making a treasure of it so I put it by never to be used and looked at it
now and then as a great treat«
»My dearest Harriet« cried Emma putting her hand before her face and
jumping up »you make me more ashamed of myself than I can bear Remember it
Ay I remember it all now all except your saving this relick I knew nothing
of that till this moment but the cutting the finger and my recommending court
plaister and saying I had none about me Oh my sins my sins And I had
plenty all the while in my pocket One of my senseless tricks I deserve to
be under a continual blush all the rest of my life Well sitting down
again go on what else«
»And had you really some at hand yourself I am sure I never suspected it
you did it so naturally«
»And so you actually put this piece of court plaister by for his sake« said
Emma recovering from her state of shame and feeling divided between wonder and
amusement And secretly she added to herself »Lord bless me when should I ever
have thought of putting by in cotton a piece of court plaister that Frank
Churchill had been pulling about I never was equal to this«
»Here« resumed Harriet turning to her box again »here is something still
more valuable I mean that has been more valuable because this is what did
really once belong to him which the court plaister never did«
Emma was quite eager to see this superior treasure It was the end of an old
pencil the part without any lead
»This was really his« said Harriet »Do not you remember one morning
no I dare say you do not But one morning I forget exactly the day but
perhaps it was the Tuesday or Wednesday before that evening he wanted to make a
memorandum in his pocketbook it was about spruce beer Mr Knightley had been
telling him something about brewing spruce beer and he wanted to put it down
but when he took out his pencil there was so little lead that he soon cut it
all away and it would not do so you lent him another and this was left upon
the table as good for nothing But I kept my eye on it and as soon as I dared
caught it up and never parted with it again from that moment«
»I do remember it« cried Emma »I perfectly remember it Talking about
spruce beer Oh yes Mr Knightley and I both saying we liked it and Mr
Eltons seeming resolved to learn to like it too I perfectly remember it
Stop Mr Knightley was standing just here was not he I have an idea he was
standing just here«
»Ah I do not know I cannot recollect It is very odd but I cannot
recollect Mr Elton was sitting here I remember much about where I am now«
»Well go on«
»Oh that s all I have nothing more to show you or to say except that I
am now going to throw them both behind the fire and I wish you to see me do
it«
»My poor dear Harriet and have you actually found happiness in treasuring
up these things«
»Yes simpleton as I was but I am quite ashamed of it now and wish I
could forget as easily as I can burn them It was very wrong of me you know to
keep any remembrances after he was married I knew it was but had not
resolution enough to part with them«
»But Harriet is it necessary to burn the court plaister I have not a
word to say for the bit of old pencil but the court plaister might be useful«
»I shall be happier to burn it« replied Harriet »It has a disagreeable
look to me I must get rid of every thing There it goes and there is an end
thank Heaven of Mr Elton«
»And when« thought Emma »will there be a beginning of Mr Churchill«
She had soon afterwards reason to believe that the beginning was already
made and could not but hope that the gipsy though she had told no fortune
might be proved to have made Harriets About a fortnight after the alarm
they came to a sufficient explanation and quite undesignedly Emma was not
thinking of it at the moment which made the information she received more
valuable She merely said in the course of some trivial chat »Well Harriet
whenever you marry I would advise you to do so and so« and thought no more of
it till after a minutes silence she heard Harriet say in a very serious tone
»I shall never marry«
Emma then looked up and immediately saw how it was and after a moments
debate as to whether it should pass unnoticed or not replied
»Never marry This is a new resolution«
»It is one that I shall never change however«
After another short hesitation »I hope it does not proceed from I hope
it is not in compliment to Mr Elton«
»Mr Elton indeed« cried Harriet indignantly »Oh no« and Emma could
just catch the words »so superior to Mr Elton«
She then took a longer time for consideration Should she proceed no
farther should she let it pass and seem to suspect nothing Perhaps
Harriet might think her cold or angry if she did or perhaps if she were totally
silent it might only drive Harriet into asking her to hear too much and
against any thing like such an unreserve as had been such an open and frequent
discussion of hopes and chances she was perfectly resolved She believed it
would be wiser for her to say and know at once all that she meant to say and
know Plain dealing was always best She had previously determined how far she
would proceed on any application of the sort and it would be safer for both
to have the judicious law of her own brain laid down with speed She was
decided and thus spoke
»Harriet I will not affect to be in doubt of your meaning Your resolution
or rather your expectation of never marrying results from an idea that the
person whom you might prefer would be too greatly your superior in situation to
think of you Is not it so«
»Oh Miss Woodhouse believe me I have not the presumption to suppose
Indeed I am not so mad But it is a pleasure to me to admire him at a distance
and to think of his infinite superiority to all the rest of the world with
the gratitude wonder and veneration which are so proper in me especially«
»I am not at all surprised at you Harriet The service he rendered you was
enough to warm your heart«
»Service oh it was such an inexpressible obligation The very
recollection of it and all that I felt at the time when I saw him coming
his noble look and my wretchedness before Such a change In one moment such a
change From perfect misery to perfect happiness«
»It is very natural It is natural and it is honourable Yes honourable
I think to choose so well and so gratefully But that it will be a fortunate
preference is more than I can promise I do not advise you to give way to it
Harriet I do not by any means engage for its being returned Consider what you
are about Perhaps it will be wisest in you to check your feelings while you
can at any rate do not let them carry you far unless you are persuaded of his
liking you Be observant of him Let his behaviour be the guide of your
sensations I give you this caution now because I shall never speak to you
again on the subject I am determined against all interference Henceforward I
know nothing of the matter Let no name ever pass our lips We were very wrong
before we will be cautious now He is your superior no doubt and there do
seem objections and obstacles of a very serious nature but yet Harriet more
wonderful things have taken place there have been matches of greater disparity
But take care of yourself I would not have you too sanguine though however it
may end be assured that your raising your thoughts to him is a mark of good
taste which I shall always know how to value«
Harriet kissed her hand in silent and submissive gratitude Emma was very
decided in thinking such an attachment no bad thing for her friend Its
tendency would be to raise and refine her mind and it must be saving her from
the danger of degradation
Chapter V
In this state of schemes and hopes and connivance June opened upon Hartfield
To Highbury in general it brought no material change The Eltons were still
talking of a visit from the Sucklings and of the use to be made of their
barouchelandau and Jane Fairfax was still at her grandmothers and as the
return of the Campbells from Ireland was again delayed and August instead of
Midsummer fixed for it she was likely to remain there full two months longer
provided at least she were able to defeat Mrs Eltons activity in her service
and save herself from being hurried into a delightful situation against her
will
Mr Knightley who for some reason best known to himself had certainly
taken an early dislike to Frank Churchill was only growing to dislike him more
He began to suspect him of some double dealing in his pursuit of Emma That Emma
was his object appeared indisputable Every thing declared it his own
attentions his fathers hints his motherinlaws guarded silence it was all
in unison words conduct discretion and indiscretion told the same story
But while so many were devoting him to Emma and Emma herself making him over to
Harriet Mr Knightley began to suspect him of some inclination to trifle with
Jane Fairfax He could not understand it but there were symptoms of
intelligence between them he thought so at least symptoms of admiration on
his side which having once observed he could not persuade himself to think
entirely void of meaning however he might wish to escape any of Emmas errors
of imagination She was not present when the suspicion first arose He was
dining with the Randalls family and Jane at the Eltons and he had seen a
look more than a single look at Miss Fairfax which from the admirer of Miss
Woodhouse seemed somewhat out of place When he was again in their company he
could not help remembering what he had seen nor could he avoid observations
which unless it were like Cowper and his fire at twilight
»Myself creating what I saw«
brought him yet stronger suspicion of there being a something of private liking
of private understanding even between Frank Churchill and Jane
He had walked up one day after dinner as he very often did to spend his
evening at Hartfield Emma and Harriet were going to walk he joined them and
on returning they fell in with a larger party who like themselves judged it
wisest to take their exercise early as the weather threatened rain Mr and
Mrs Weston and their son Miss Bates and her niece who had accidentally met
They all united and on reaching Hartfield gates Emma who knew it was exactly
the sort of visiting that would be welcome to her father pressed them all to go
in and drink tea with him The Randalls party agreed to it immediately and
after a pretty long speech from Miss Bates which few persons listened to she
also found it possible to accept dear Miss Woodhouses most obliging invitation
As they were turning into the grounds Mr Perry passed by on horseback The
gentlemen spoke of his horse
»By the bye« said Frank Churchill to Mrs Weston presently »what became of
Mr Perrys plan of setting up his carriage«
Mrs Weston looked surprised and said »I did not know that he ever had any
such plan«
»Nay I had it from you You wrote me word of it three months ago«
»Me impossible«
»Indeed you did I remember it perfectly You mentioned it as what was
certainly to be very soon Mrs Perry had told somebody and was extremely happy
about it It was owing to her persuasion as she thought his being out in bad
weather did him a great deal of harm You must remember it now«
»Upon my word I never heard of it till this moment«
»Never really never Bless me how could it be Then I must have
dreamt it but I was completely persuaded Miss Smith you walk as if you were
tired You will not be sorry to find yourself at home«
»What is this What is this« cried Mr Weston »about Perry and a
carriage Is Perry going to set up his carriage Frank I am glad he can afford
it You had it from himself had you«
»No sir« replied his son laughing »I seem to have had it from nobody
Very odd I really was persuaded of Mrs Westons having mentioned it in one
of her letters to Enscombe many weeks ago with all these particulars but as
she declares she never heard a syllable of it before of course it must have
been a dream I am a great dreamer I dream of every body at Highbury when I am
away and when I have gone through my particular friends then I begin dreaming
of Mr and Mrs Perry«
»It is odd though« observed his father »that you should have had such a
regular connected dream about people whom it was not very likely you should be
thinking of at Enscombe Perrys setting up his carriage and his wifes
persuading him to it out of care for his health just what will happen I have
no doubt some time or other only a little premature What an air of
probability sometimes runs through a dream And at others what a heap of
absurdities it is Well Frank your dream certainly shows that Highbury is in
your thoughts when you are absent Emma you are a great dreamer I think«
Emma was out of hearing She had hurried on before her guests to prepare her
father for their appearance and was beyond the reach of Mr Westons hint
»Why to own the truth« cried Miss Bates who had been trying in vain to be
heard the last two minutes »if I must speak on this subject there is no
denying that Mr Frank Churchill might have I do not mean to say that he did
not dream it I am sure I have sometimes the oddest dreams in the world but
if I am questioned about it I must acknowledge that there was such an idea last
spring for Mrs Perry herself mentioned it to my mother and the Coles knew of
it as well as ourselves but it was quite a secret known to nobody else and
only thought of about three days Mrs Perry was very anxious that he should
have a carriage and came to my mother in great spirits one morning because she
thought she had prevailed Jane dont you remember grandmammas telling us of
it when we got home I forget where we had been walking to very likely to
Randalls yes I think it was to Randalls Mrs Perry was always particularly
fond of my mother indeed I do not know who is not and she had mentioned it
to her in confidence she had no objection to her telling us of course but it
was not to go beyond and from that day to this I never mentioned it to a soul
that I know of At the same time I will not positively answer for my having
never dropt a hint because I know I do sometimes pop out a thing before I am
aware I am a talker you know I am rather a talker and now and then I have
let a thing escape me which I should not I am not like Jane I wish I were I
will answer for it she never betrayed the least thing in the world Where is
she Oh just behind Perfectly remember Mrs Perrys coming Extraordinary
dream indeed«
They were entering the hall Mr Knightleys eyes had preceded Miss Batess
in a glance at Jane From Frank Churchills face where he thought he saw
confusion suppressed or laughed away he had involuntarily turned to hers but
she was indeed behind and too busy with her shawl Mr Weston had walked in
The two other gentlemen waited at the door to let her pass Mr Knightley
suspected in Frank Churchill the determination of catching her eye he seemed
watching her intently in vain however if it were so Jane passed between
them into the hall and looked at neither
There was no time for farther remark or explanation The dream must be borne
with and Mr Knightley must take his seat with the rest round the large modern
circular table which Emma had introduced at Hartfield and which none but Emma
could have had power to place there and persuade her father to use instead of
the smallsized Pembroke on which two of his daily meals had for forty years
been crowded Tea passed pleasantly and nobody seemed in a hurry to move
»Miss Woodhouse« said Frank Churchill after examining a table behind him
which he could reach as he sat »have your nephews taken away their alphabets
their box of letters It used to stand here Where is it This is a sort of
dulllooking evening that ought to be treated rather as winter than summer We
had great amusement with those letters one morning I want to puzzle you again«
Emma was pleased with the thought and producing the box the table was
quickly scattered over with alphabets which no one seemed so much disposed to
employ as their two selves They were rapidly forming words for each other or
for any body else who would be puzzled The quietness of the game made it
particularly eligible for Mr Woodhouse who had often been distressed by the
more animated sort which Mr Weston had occasionally introduced and who now
sat happily occupied in lamenting with tender melancholy over the departure of
the »poor little boys« or in fondly pointing out as he took up any stray
letter near him how beautifully Emma had written it
Frank Churchill placed a word before Miss Fairfax She gave a slight glance
round the table and applied herself to it Frank was next to Emma Jane
opposite to them and Mr Knightley so placed as to see them all and it was
his object to see as much as he could with as little apparent observation The
word was discovered and with a faint smile pushed away If meant to be
immediately mixed with the others and buried from sight she should have looked
on the table instead of looking just across for it was not mixed and Harriet
eager after every fresh word and finding out none directly took it up and
fell to work She was sitting by Mr Knightley and turned to him for help The
word was blunder and as Harriet exultingly proclaimed it there was a blush on
Janes cheek which gave it a meaning not otherwise ostensible Mr Knightley
connected it with the dream but how it could all be was beyond his
comprehension How the delicacy the discretion of his favourite could have been
so lain asleep He feared there must be some decided involvement
Disingenuousness and doubledealing seemed to meet him at every turn These
letters were but the vehicle for gallantry and trick It was a childs play
chosen to conceal a deeper game on Frank Churchills part
With great indignation did he continue to observe him with great alarm and
distrust to observe also his two blinded companions He saw a short word
prepared for Emma and given to her with a look sly and demure He saw that Emma
had soon made it out and found it highly entertaining though it was something
which she judged it proper to appear to censure for she said »Nonsense for
shame« He heard Frank Churchill next say with a glance towards Jane »I will
give it to her shall I« and as clearly heard Emma opposing it with eager
laughing warmth »No no you must not you shall not indeed«
It was done however This gallant young man who seemed to love without
feeling and to recommend himself without complaisance directly handed over the
word to Miss Fairfax and with a particular degree of sedate civility entreated
her to study it Mr Knightleys excessive curiosity to know what this word
might be made him seize every possible moment for darting his eye towards it
and it was not long before he saw it to be Dixon Jane Fairfaxs perception
seemed to accompany his her comprehension was certainly more equal to the
covert meaning the superior intelligence of those five letters so arranged
She was evidently displeased looked up and seeing herself watched blushed
more deeply than he had ever perceived her and saying only »I did not know
that proper names were allowed« pushed away the letters with even an angry
spirit and looked resolved to be engaged by no other word that could be
offered Her face was averted from those who had made the attack and turned
towards her aunt
»Ay very true my dear« cried the latter though Jane had not spoken a
word »I was just going to say the same thing It is time for us to be going
indeed The evening is closing in and grandmamma will be looking for us My
dear sir you are too obliging We really must wish you good night«
Janes alertness in moving proved her as ready as her aunt had
preconceived She was immediately up and wanting to quit the table but so many
were also moving that she could not get away and Mr Knightley thought he saw
another collection of letters anxiously pushed towards her and resolutely swept
away by her unexamined She was afterwards looking for her shawl Frank
Churchill was looking also it was growing dusk and the room was in confusion
and how they parted Mr Knightley could not tell
He remained at Hartfield after all the rest his thoughts full of what he
had seen so full that when the candles came to assist his observations he
must yes he certainly must as a friend an anxious friend give Emma some
hint ask her some question He could not see her in a situation of such danger
without trying to preserve her It was his duty
»Pray Emma« said he »may I ask in what lay the great amusement the
poignant sting of the last word given to you and Miss Fairfax I saw the word
and am curious to know how it could be so very entertaining to the one and so
very distressing to the other«
Emma was extremely confused She could not endure to give him the true
explanation for though her suspicions were by no means removed she was really
ashamed of having ever imparted them
»Oh« she cried in evident embarrassment »it all meant nothing a mere joke
among ourselves«
»The joke« he replied gravely »seemed confined to you and Mr Churchill«
He had hoped she would speak again but she did not She would rather busy
herself about any thing than speak He sat a little while in doubt A variety of
evils crossed his mind Interference fruitless interference Emmas confusion
and the acknowledged intimacy seemed to declare her affection engaged Yet he
would speak He owed it to her to risk any thing that might be involved in an
unwelcome interference rather than her welfare to encounter any thing, rather
than the remembrance of neglect in such a cause
»My dear Emma« said he at last with earnest kindness »do you think you
perfectly understand the degree of acquaintance between the gentleman and lady
we have been speaking of«
»Between Mr Frank Churchill and Miss Fairfax Oh yes perfectly Why do
you make a doubt of it«
»Have you never at any time had reason to think that he admired her or that
she admired him«
»Never never« she cried with a most open eagerness »Never for the
twentieth part of a moment did such an idea occur to me And how could it
possibly come into your head«
»I have lately imagined that I saw symptoms of attachment between them
certain expressive looks which I did not believe meant to be public«
»Oh you amuse me excessively I am delighted to find that you can vouchsafe
to let your imagination wander but it will not do very sorry to check you in
your first essay but indeed it will not do There is no admiration between
them I do assure you and the appearances which have caught you have arisen
from some peculiar circumstances feelings rather of a totally different
nature it is impossible exactly to explain there is a good deal of
nonsense in it but the part which is capable of being communicated which is
sense is that they are as far from any attachment or admiration for one
another, as any two beings in the world can be That is I presume it to be so
on her side and I can answer for its being so on his I will answer for the
gentlemans indifference«
She spoke with a confidence which staggered with a satisfaction which
silenced Mr Knightley She was in gay spirits and would have prolonged the
conversation wanting to hear the particulars of his suspicions every look
described and all the wheres and hows of a circumstance which highly
entertained her but his gaiety did not meet hers He found he could not be
useful and his feelings were too much irritated for talking That he might not
be irritated into an absolute fever by the fire which Mr Woodhouses tender
habits required almost every evening throughout the year he soon afterwards
took a hasty leave and walked home to the coolness and solitude of Donwell
Abbey
Chapter VI
After being long fed with hopes of a speedy visit from Mr and Mrs Suckling
the Highbury world were obliged to endure the mortification of hearing that they
could not possibly come till the autumn No such importation of novelties could
enrich their intellectual stores at present In the daily interchange of news
they must be again restricted to the other topics with which for a while the
Sucklings coming had been united such as the last accounts of Mrs Churchill
whose health seemed every day to supply a different report and the situation of
Mrs Weston whose happiness it was to be hoped might eventually be as much
increased by the arrival of a child as that of all her neighbours was by the
approach of it
Mrs Elton was very much disappointed It was the delay of a great deal of
pleasure and parade Her introductions and recommendations must all wait and
every projected party be still only talked of So she thought at first but a
little consideration convinced her that every thing need not be put off Why
should not they explore to Box Hill though the Sucklings did not come They
could go there again with them in the autumn It was settled that they should go
to Box Hill That there was to be such a party had been long generally known it
had even given the idea of another Emma had never been to Box Hill she wished
to see what every body found so well worth seeing and she and Mr Weston had
agreed to choose some fine morning and drive thither Two or three more of the
chosen only were to be admitted to join them and it was to be done in a quiet
unpretending elegant way infinitely superior to the bustle and preparation
the regular eating and drinking and picnic parade of the Eltons and the
Sucklings
This was so very well understood between them that Emma could not but feel
some surprise and a little displeasure on hearing from Mr Weston that he had
been proposing to Mrs Elton as her brother and sister had failed her that the
two parties should unite and go together and that as Mrs Elton had very
readily acceded to it so it was to be if she had no objection Now as her
objection was nothing but her very great dislike of Mrs Elton of which Mr
Weston must already be perfectly aware it was not worth bringing forward again
it could not be done without a reproof to him which would be giving pain to
his wife and she found herself therefore obliged to consent to an arrangement
which she would have done a great deal to avoid an arrangement which would
probably expose her even to the degradation of being said to be of Mrs Eltons
party Every feeling was offended and the forbearance of her outward submission
left a heavy arrear due of secret severity in her reflections on the
unmanageable goodwill of Mr Westons temper
»I am glad you approve of what I have done« said he very comfortably »But
I thought you would Such schemes as these are nothing without numbers One
cannot have too large a party A large party secures its own amusement And she
is a goodnatured woman after all One could not leave her out«
Emma denied none of it aloud and agreed to none of it in private
It was now the middle of June and the weather fine and Mrs Elton was
growing impatient to name the day and settle with Mr Weston as to pigeonpies
and cold lamb when a lame carriagehorse threw every thing into sad
uncertainty It might be weeks it might be only a few days before the horse
were useable but no preparations could be ventured on and it was all
melancholy stagnation Mrs Eltons resources were inadequate to such an attack
»Is not this most vexatious Knightley« she cried »And such weather for
exploring These delays and disappointments are quite odious What are we to
do The year will wear away at this rate and nothing done Before this time
last year I assure you we had had a delightful exploring party from Maple Grove
to Kings Weston«
»You had better explore to Donwell« replied Mr Knightley »That may be
done without horses Come and eat my strawberries They are ripening fast«
If Mr Knightley did not begin seriously he was obliged to proceed so for
his proposal was caught at with delight and the »Oh I should like it of all
things« was not plainer in words than manner Donwell was famous for its
strawberrybeds which seemed a plea for the invitation but no plea was
necessary cabbagebeds would have been enough to tempt the lady who only
wanted to be going somewhere She promised him again and again to come much
oftener than he doubted and was extremely gratified by such a proof of
intimacy such a distinguishing compliment as she chose to consider it
»You may depend upon me« said she »I certainly will come Name your day
and I will come You will allow me to bring Jane Fairfax«
»I cannot name a day« said he »till I have spoken to some others whom I
would wish to meet you«
»Oh leave all that to me Only give me a carteblanche I am Lady
Patroness you know It is my party I will bring friends with me«
»I hope you will bring Elton« said he »but I will not trouble you to
give any other invitations«
»Oh now you are looking very sly But consider you need not be afraid of
delegating power to me I am no young lady on her preferment Married women you
know may be safely authorized It is my party Leave it all to me I will
invite your guests«
»No« he calmly replied »there is but one married woman in the world
whom I can ever allow to invite what guests she pleases to Donwell and that one
is «
» Mrs Weston I suppose« interrupted Mrs Elton rather mortified
»No Mrs Knightley and till she is in being I will manage such
matters myself«
»Ah you are an odd creature« she cried satisfied to have no one preferred
to herself »You are a humourist and may say what you like Quite a
humourist Well I shall bring Jane with me Jane and her aunt The rest I
leave to you I have no objections at all to meeting the Hartfield family Dont
scruple I know you are attached to them«
»You certainly will meet them if I can prevail and I shall call on Miss
Bates in my way home«
»Thats quite unnecessary I see Jane every day but as you like It is to
be a morning scheme you know Knightley quite a simple thing I shall wear a
large bonnet and bring one of my little baskets hanging on my arm Here
probably this basket with pink ribbon Nothing can be more simple you see And
Jane will have such another There is to be no form or parade a sort of gipsy
party We are to walk about your gardens and gather the strawberries
ourselves and sit under trees and whatever else you may like to provide it
is to be all out of doors a table spread in the shade you know Every thing
as natural and simple as possible Is not that your idea«
»Not quite My idea of the simple and the natural will be to have the table
spread in the diningroom The nature and the simplicity of gentlemen and
ladies with their servants and furniture I think is best observed by meals
within doors When you are tired of eating strawberries in the garden there
shall be cold meat in the house«
»Well as you please only dont have a great set out And by the bye can
I or my housekeeper be of any use to you with our opinion Pray be sincere
Knightley If you wish me to talk to Mrs Hodges or to inspect anything «
»I have not the least wish for it I thank you«
»Well but if any difficulties should arise my housekeeper is extremely
clever«
»I will answer for it that mine thinks herself full as clever and would
spurn anybodys assistance«
»I wish we had a donkey The thing would be for us all to come on donkies
Jane Miss Bates and me and my caro sposo walking by I really must talk to
him about purchasing a donkey In a country life I conceive it to be a sort of
necessary for let a woman have ever so many resources it is not possible for
her to be always shut up at home and very long walks you know in summer
there is dust and in winter there is dirt«
»You will not find either between Donwell and Highbury Donwelllane is
never dusty and now it is perfectly dry Come on a donkey however if you
prefer it You can borrow Mrs Coles I would wish every thing to be as much to
your taste as possible«
»That I am sure you would Indeed I do you justice my good friend Under
that peculiar sort of dry blunt manner I know you have the warmest heart As I
tell Mr E you are a thorough humourist Yes believe me Knightley I am
fully sensible of your attention to me in the whole of this scheme You have hit
upon the very thing to please me«
Mr Knightley had another reason for avoiding a table in the shade He
wished to persuade Mr Woodhouse as well as Emma to join the party and he
knew that to have any of them sitting down out of doors to eat would inevitably
make him ill Mr Woodhouse must not under the specious pretence of a morning
drive and an hour or two spent at Donwell be tempted away to his misery
He was invited on good faith No lurking horrors were to upbraid him for his
easy credulity He did consent He had not been at Donwell for two years »Some
very fine morning he and Emma and Harriet could go very well and he could
sit still with Mrs Weston while the dear girls walked about the gardens He
did not suppose they could be damp now in the middle of the day He should like
to see the old house again exceedingly and should be very happy to meet Mr and
Mrs Elton and any other of his neighbours He could not see any objection at
all to his and Emmas and Harriets going there some very fine morning He
thought it very well done of Mr Knightley to invite them very kind and
sensible much cleverer than dining out He was not fond of dining out«
Mr Knightley was fortunate in every bodys most ready concurrence The
invitation was every where so well received that it seemed as if like Mrs
Elton they were all taking the scheme as a particular compliment to themselves
Emma and Harriet professed very high expectations of pleasure from it and Mr
Weston unasked promised to get Frank over to join them if possible a proof
of approbation and gratitude which could have been dispensed with Mr
Knightley was then obliged to say that he should be glad to see him and Mr
Weston engaged to lose no time in writing and spare no arguments to induce him
to come
In the meanwhile the lame horse recovered so fast that the party to Box
Hill was again under happy consideration and at last Donwell was settled for
one day and Box Hill for the next the weather appearing exactly right
Under a bright midday sun at almost Midsummer Mr Woodhouse was safely
conveyed in his carriage with one window down to partake of this alfresco
party and in one of the most comfortable rooms in the abbey especially
prepared for him by a fire all the morning he was happily placed quite at his
ease ready to talk with pleasure of what had been atchieved and advise every
body to come and sit down and not to heat themselves Mrs Weston who seemed
to have walked there on purpose to be tired and sit all the time with him
remained when all the others were invited or persuaded out his patient
listener and sympathizer
It was so long since Emma had been at the Abbey that as soon as she was
satisfied of her fathers comfort she was glad to leave him and look around
her eager to refresh and correct her memory with more particular observation
more exact understanding of a house and grounds which must ever be so
interesting to her and all her family
She felt all the honest pride and complacency which her alliance with the
present and future proprietor could fairly warrant as she viewed the
respectable size and style of the building its suitable becoming
characteristic situation low and sheltered its ample gardens stretching down
to meadows washed by a stream of which the Abbey with all the old neglect of
prospect had scarcely a sight and its abundance of timber in rows and
avenues which neither fashion nor extravagance had rooted up The house was
larger than Hartfield and totally unlike it covering a good deal of ground
rambling and irregular with many comfortable and one or two handsome rooms
It was just what it ought to be and it looked what it was and Emma felt an
increasing respect for it as the residence of a family of such true gentility
untainted in blood and understanding Some faults of temper John Knightley
had but Isabella had connected herself unexceptionably She had given them
neither men nor names nor places that could raise a blush These were
pleasant feelings and she walked about and indulged them till it was necessary
to do as the others did and collect round the strawberry beds The whole
party were assembled excepting Frank Churchill who was expected every moment
from Richmond and Mrs Elton in all her apparatus of happiness her large
bonnet and her basket was very ready to lead the way in gathering accepting
or talking strawberries and only strawberries could now be thought or spoken
of »The best fruit in England every bodys favourite always wholesome
These the finest beds and finest sorts Delightful to gather for ones self
the only way of really enjoying them Morning decidedly the best time never
tired every sort good hautboy infinitely superior no comparison the
others hardly eatable hautboys very scarce Chili preferred white wood
finest flavour of all price of strawberries in London abundance about
Bristol Maple Grove cultivation beds when to be renewed gardeners
thinking exactly different no general rule gardeners never to be put out of
their way delicious fruit only too rich to be eaten much of inferior to
cherries currants more refreshing only objection to gathering strawberries
the stooping glaring sun tired to death could bear it no longer must go
and sit in the shade«
Such for half an hour was the conversation interrupted only once by Mrs
Weston who came out in her solicitude after her soninlaw to inquire if he
were come and she was a little uneasy She had some fears of his horse
Seats tolerably in the shade were found and now Emma was obliged to
overhear what Mrs Elton and Jane Fairfax were talking of A situation a most
desirable situation was in question Mrs Elton had received notice of it that
morning and was in raptures It was not with Mrs Suckling it was not with
Mrs Bragge but in felicity and splendour it fell short only of them it was
with a cousin of Mrs Bragge an acquaintance of Mrs Suckling a lady known at
Maple Grove Delightful charming superior first circles spheres lines
ranks every thing and Mrs Elton was wild to have the offer closed with
immediately On her side all was warmth energy and triumph and she
positively refused to take her friends negative though Miss Fairfax continued
to assure her that she would not at present engage in any thing, repeating the
same motives which she had been heard to urge before Still Mrs Elton
insisted on being authorized to write an acquiescence by the morrows post
How Jane could bear it at all was astonishing to Emma She did look vexed
she did speak pointedly and at last with a decision of action unusual to her
proposed a removal »Should not they walk Would not Mr Knightley show them
the gardens all the gardens She wished to see the whole extent« The
pertinacity of her friend seemed more than she could bear
It was hot and after walking some time over the gardens in a scattered
dispersed way scarcely any three together they insensibly followed one another
to the delicious shade of a broad short avenue of limes which stretching beyond
the garden at an equal distance from the river seemed the finish of the
pleasure grounds It led to nothing nothing but a view at the end over a low
stone wall with high pillars which seemed intended in their erection to give
the appearance of an approach to the house which never had been there
Disputable however as might be the taste of such a termination it was in
itself a charming walk and the view which closed it extremely pretty The
considerable slope at nearly the foot of which the Abbey stood gradually
acquired a steeper form beyond its grounds and at half a mile distant was a
bank of considerable abruptness and grandeur well clothed with wood and at
the bottom of this bank favourably placed and sheltered rose the AbbeyMill
Farm with meadows in front and the river making a close and handsome curve
around it
It was a sweet view sweet to the eye and the mind. English verdure
English culture English comfort seen under a sun bright without being
oppressive
In this walk Emma and Mr Weston found all the others assembled and towards
this view she immediately perceived Mr Knightley and Harriet distinct from the
rest quietly leading the way Mr Knightley and Harriet It was an odd
têteàtête but she was glad to see it There had been a time when he would
have scorned her as a companion and turned from her with little ceremony Now
they seemed in pleasant conversation There had been a time also when Emma would
have been sorry to see Harriet in a spot so favourable for the AbbeyMill Farm
but now she feared it not It might be safely viewed with all its appendages of
prosperity and beauty its rich pastures spreading flocks orchard in blossom
and light column of smoke ascending She joined them at the wall and found
them more engaged in talking than in looking around He was giving Harriet
information as to modes of agriculture etc and Emma received a smile which
seemed to say »These are my own concerns I have a right to talk on such
subjects without being suspected of introducing Robert Martin« She did not
suspect him It was too old a story Robert Martin had probably ceased to
think of Harriet They took a few turns together along the walk The shade
was most refreshing and Emma found it the pleasantest part of the day
The next remove was to the house they must all go in and eat and they
were all seated and busy and still Frank Churchill did not come Mrs Weston
looked and looked in vain His father would not own himself uneasy and laughed
at her fears but she could not be cured of wishing that he would part with his
black mare He had expressed himself as to coming with more than common
certainty »His aunt was so much better that he had not a doubt of getting over
to them« Mrs Churchills state however as many were ready to remind her
was liable to such sudden variation as might disappoint her nephew in the most
reasonable dependence and Mrs Weston was at last persuaded to believe or to
say that it must be by some attack of Mrs Churchill that he was prevented
coming Emma looked at Harriet while the point was under consideration she
behaved very well and betrayed no emotion
The cold repast was over and the party were to go out once more to see what
had not yet been seen the old Abbey fishponds perhaps get as far as the
clover which was to be begun cutting on the morrow or at any rate have the
pleasure of being hot and growing cool again Mr Woodhouse who had already
taken his little round in the highest part of the gardens where no damps from
the river were imagined even by him stirred no more and his daughter resolved
to remain with him that Mrs Weston might be persuaded away by her husband to
the exercise and variety which her spirits seemed to need
Mr Knightley had done all in his power for Mr Woodhouses entertainment
Books of engravings drawers of medals cameos corals shells and every other
family collection within his cabinets had been prepared for his old friend to
while away the morning and the kindness had perfectly answered Mr Woodhouse
had been exceedingly well amused Mrs Weston had been showing them all to him
and now he would show them all to Emma fortunate in having no other
resemblance to a child than in a total want of taste for what he saw for he
was slow constant and methodical Before this second looking over was begun
however Emma walked into the hall for the sake of a few moments free
observation of the entrance and groundplot of the house and was hardly there
when Jane Fairfax appeared coming quickly in from the garden and with a look
of escape Little expecting to meet Miss Woodhouse so soon there was a start
at first but Miss Woodhouse was the very person she was in quest of
»Will you be so kind« said she »when I am missed as to say that I am gone
home I am going this moment My aunt is not aware how late it is nor how
long we have been absent but I am sure we shall be wanted and I am determined
to go directly I have said nothing about it to any body It would only be
giving trouble and distress Some are gone to the ponds and some to the lime
walk Till they all come in I shall not be missed and when they do will you
have the goodness to say that I am gone«
»Certainly if you wish it but you are not going to walk to Highbury
alone«
»Yes what should hurt me I walk fast I shall be at home in twenty
minutes«
»But it is too far indeed it is to be walking quite alone Let my fathers
servant go with you Let me order the carriage It can be round in five
minutes«
»Thank you thank you but on no account I would rather walk And for
me to be afraid of walking alone I who may so soon have to guard others«
She spoke with great agitation and Emma very feelingly replied »That can
be no reason for your being exposed to danger now I must order the carriage
The heat even would be danger You are fatigued already«
»I am« she answered »I am fatigued but it is not the sort of fatigue
quick walking will refresh me Miss Woodhouse we all know at times what it is
to be wearied in spirits Mine I confess are exhausted The greatest kindness
you can show me will be to let me have my own way and only say that I am gone
when it is necessary«
Emma had not another word to oppose She saw it all and entering into her
feelings promoted her quitting the house immediately and watched her safely
off with the zeal of a friend Her parting look was grateful and her parting
words »Oh Miss Woodhouse the comfort of being sometimes alone« seemed to
burst from an overcharged heart and to describe somewhat of the continual
endurance to be practised by her even towards some of those who loved her best
»Such a home indeed such an aunt« said Emma as she turned back into the
hall again »I do pity you And the more sensibility you betray of their just
horrors the more I shall like you«
Jane had not been gone a quarter of an hour and they had only accomplished
some views of St Marks Place Venice when Frank Churchill entered the room
Emma had not been thinking of him she had forgotten to think of him but she
was very glad to see him Mrs Weston would be at ease The black mare was
blameless they were right who had named Mrs Churchill as the cause He had
been detained by a temporary increase of illness in her a nervous seizure
which had lasted some hours and he had quite given up every thought of coming
till very late and had he known how hot a ride he should have and how late
with all his hurry he must be he believed he should not have come at all The
heat was excessive he had never suffered any thing like it almost wished he
had staid at home nothing killed him like heat he could bear any degree of
cold etc but heat was intolerable and he sat down at the greatest possible
distance from the slight remains of Mr Woodhouses fire looking very
deplorable
»You will soon be cooler if you sit still« said Emma
»As soon as I am cooler I shall go back again I could very ill be spared
but such a point had been made of my coming You will all be going soon I
suppose the whole party breaking up I met one as I came Madness in such
weather absolute madness«
Emma listened and looked and soon perceived that Frank Churchills state
might be best defined by the expressive phrase of being out of humour Some
people were always cross when they were hot Such might be his constitution and
as she knew that eating and drinking were often the cure of such incidental
complaints she recommended his taking some refreshment he would find abundance
of every thing in the diningroom and she humanely pointed out the door
»No he should not eat He was not hungry it would only make him hotter«
In two minutes however he relented in his own favour and muttering something
about spruce beer walked off Emma returned all her attention to her father
saying in secret
»I am glad I have done being in love with him I should not like a man who
is so soon discomposed by a hot morning Harriets sweet easy temper will not
mind it«
He was gone long enough to have had a very comfortable meal and came back
all the better grown quite cool and with good manners like himself able
to draw a chair close to them take an interest in their employment and regret
in a reasonable way that he should be so late He was not in his best spirits
but seemed trying to improve them and at last made himself talk nonsense very
agreeably They were looking over views in Swisserland
»As soon as my aunt gets well I shall go abroad« said he »I shall never
be easy till I have seen some of these places You will have my sketches some
time or other to look at or my tour to read or my poem I shall do
something to expose myself«
»That may be but not by sketches in Swisserland You will never go to
Swisserland Your uncle and aunt will never allow you to leave England«
»They may be induced to go too A warm climate may be prescribed for her I
have more than half an expectation of our all going abroad I assure you I have
I feel a strong persuasion this morning that I shall soon be abroad I ought
to travel I am tired of doing nothing I want a change I am serious Miss
Woodhouse whatever your penetrating eyes may fancy I am sick of England and
would leave it tomorrow if I could«
»You are sick of prosperity and indulgence Cannot you invent a few
hardships for yourself and be contented to stay«
»I sick of prosperity and indulgence You are quite mistaken I do not
look upon myself as either prosperous or indulged I am thwarted in every thing
material I do not consider myself at all a fortunate person«
»You are not quite so miserable though as when you first came Go and eat
and drink a little more and you will do very well Another slice of cold meat
another draught of Madeira and water will make you nearly on a par with the
rest of us«
»No I shall not stir I shall sit by you You are my best cure«
»We are going to Box Hill tomorrow you will join us It is not
Swisserland but it will be something for a young man so much in want of a
change You will stay and go with us«
»No certainly not I shall go home in the cool of the evening«
»But you may come again in the cool of tomorrow morning«
»No It will not be worth while If I come I shall be cross«
»Then pray stay at Richmond«
»But if I do I shall be crosser still I can never bear to think of you all
there without me«
»These are difficulties which you must settle for yourself Choose your own
degree of crossness I shall press you no more«
The rest of the party were now returning and all were soon collected With
some there was great joy at the sight of Frank Churchill others took it very
composedly but there was a very general distress and disturbance on Miss
Fairfaxs disappearance being explained That it was time for every body to go
concluded the subject and with a short final arrangement for the next days
scheme they parted Frank Churchills little inclination to exclude himself
increased so much that his last words to Emma were
»Well if you wish me to stay and join the party I will«
She smiled her acceptance and nothing less than a summons from Richmond was
to take him back before the following evening
Chapter VII
They had a very fine day for Box Hill and all the other outward circumstances
of arrangement accommodation and punctuality were in favour of a pleasant
party Mr Weston directed the whole officiating safely between Hartfield and
the vicarage and every body was in good time Emma and Harriet went together
Miss Bates and her niece with the Eltons the gentlemen on horseback Mrs
Weston remained with Mr Woodhouse Nothing was wanting but to be happy when
they got there Seven miles were travelled in expectation of enjoyment and
every body had a burst of admiration on first arriving but in the general
amount of the day there was deficiency There was a languor a want of spirits
a want of union which could not be got over They separated too much into
parties The Eltons walked together Mr Knightley took charge of Miss Bates and
Jane and Emma and Harriet belonged to Frank Churchill And Mr Weston tried in
vain to make them harmonize better It seemed at first an accidental division
but it never materially varied Mr and Mrs Elton indeed showed no
unwillingness to mix and be as agreeable as they could but during the two
whole hours that were spent on the hill there seemed a principle of separation
between the other parties too strong for any fine prospects or any cold
collation or any cheerful Mr Weston to remove
At first it was downright dulness to Emma She had never seen Frank
Churchill so silent and stupid He said nothing worth hearing looked without
seeing admired without intelligence listened without knowing what she said
While he was so dull it was no wonder that Harriet should be dull likewise and
they were both insufferable
When they all sat down it was better to her taste a great deal better for
Frank Churchill grew talkative and gay making her his first object Every
distinguishing attention that could be paid was paid to her To amuse her and
be agreeable in her eyes seemed all that he cared for and Emma glad to be
enlivened not sorry to be flattered was gay and easy too and gave him all the
friendly encouragement the admission to be gallant which she had ever given in
the first and most animating period of their acquaintance but which now in her
own estimation meant nothing though in the judgment of most people looking on
it must have had such an appearance as no English word but flirtation could very
well describe »Mr Frank Churchill and Miss Woodhouse flirted together
excessively« They were laying themselves open to that very phrase and to
having it sent off in a letter to Maple Grove by one lady to Ireland by
another Not that Emma was gay and thoughtless from any real felicity it was
rather because she felt less happy than she had expected She laughed because
she was disappointed and though she liked him for his attentions and thought
them all whether in friendship admiration or playfulness extremely
judicious they were not winning back her heart She still intended him for her
friend
»How much I am obliged to you« said he »for telling me to come to day
If it had not been for you I should certainly have lost all the happiness of
this party I had quite determined to go away again«
»Yes you were very cross and I do not know what about except that you
were too late for the best strawberries I was a kinder friend than you
deserved But you were humble You begged hard to be commanded to come«
»Dont say I was cross I was fatigued The heat overcame me«
»It is hotter today«
»Not to my feelings I am perfectly comfortable today«
»You are comfortable because you are under command«
»Your command Yes«
»Perhaps I intended you to say so but I meant self You had somehow or
other broken bounds yesterday and run away from your own management but
today you are got back again and as I cannot be always with you it is best
to believe your temper under your own command rather than mine«
»It comes to the same thing I can have no selfcommand without a motive
You order me whether you speak or not And you can be always with me You are
always with me«
»Dating from three oclock yesterday My perpetual influence could not begin
earlier or you would not have been so much out of humour before«
»Three oclock yesterday That is your date I thought I had seen you first
in February«
»Your gallantry is really unanswerable But lowering her voice nobody
speaks except ourselves and it is rather too much to be talking nonsense for
the entertainment of seven silent people«
»I say nothing of which I am ashamed« replied he with lively impudence »I
saw you first in February Let every body on the Hill hear me if they can Let
my accents swell to Mickleham on one side and Dorking on the other I saw you
first in February« And then whispering »Our companions are excessively
stupid What shall we do to rouse them Any nonsense will serve They shall
talk Ladies and gentlemen I am ordered by Miss Woodhouse who wherever she
is presides to say that she desires to know what you are all thinking of«
Some laughed and answered goodhumouredly Miss Bates said a great deal
Mrs Elton swelled at the idea of Miss Woodhouses presiding Mr Knightleys
answer was the most distinct
»Is Miss Woodhouse sure that she would like to hear what we are all thinking
of«
»Oh no no« cried Emma laughing as carelessly as she could »Upon no
account in the world It is the very last thing I would stand the brunt of just
now Let me hear anything rather than what you are all thinking of I will not
say quite all There are one or two perhaps glancing at Mr Weston and
Harriet whose thoughts I might not be afraid of knowing«
»It is a sort of thing« cried Mrs Elton emphatically »which I should not
have thought myself privileged to inquire into Though perhaps as the Chaperon
of the party I never was in any circle exploring parties young ladies
married women «
Her mutterings were chiefly to her husband and he murmured in reply
»Very true my love very true Exactly so indeed quite unheard of but
some ladies say any thing. Better pass it off as a joke Every body knows what
is due to you«
»It will not do« whispered Frank to Emma »they are most of them affronted
I will attack them with more address Ladies and gentlemen I am ordered by
Miss Woodhouse to say that she waves her right of knowing exactly what you may
all be thinking of and only requires something very entertaining from each of
you in a general way Here are seven of you besides myself who she is
pleased to say am very entertaining already and she only demands from each of
you either one thing very clever be it prose or verse original or repeated
or two things moderately clever or three things very dull indeed and she
engages to laugh heartily at them all«
»Oh very well« exclaimed Miss Bates »then I need not be uneasy Three
things very dull indeed That will just do for me you know I shall be sure to
say three dull things as soon as ever I open my mouth shant I looking
round with the most goodhumoured dependence on every bodys assentDo not you
all think I shall «
Emma could not resist
»Ah maam but there may be a difficulty Pardon me but you will be
limited as to number only three at once«
Miss Bates deceived by the mock ceremony of her manner did not immediately
catch her meaning but when it burst on her it could not anger though a
slight blush showed that it could pain her
»Ah well to be sure Yes I see what she means turning to Mr
Knightley and I will try to hold my tongue I must make myself very
disagreeable or she would not have said such a thing to an old friend«
»I like your plan« cried Mr Weston »Agreed agreed I will do my best I
am making a conundrum How will a conundrum reckon«
»Low I am afraid sir very low« answered his son »but we shall be
indulgent especially to any one who leads the way«
»No no« said Emma »it will not reckon low A conundrum of Mr Westons
shall clear him and his next neighbour Come sir pray let me hear it«
»I doubt its being very clever myself« said Mr Weston »It is too much a
matter of fact, but here it is What two letters of the alphabet are there
that express perfection«
»What two letters express perfection I am sure I do not know«
»Ah you will never guess You to Emma I am certain will never guess
I will tell you M and A Em ma Do you understand«
Understanding and gratification came together It might be a very
indifferent piece of wit but Emma found a great deal to laugh at and enjoy in
it and so did Frank and Harriet It did not seem to touch the rest of the
party equally some looked very stupid about it and Mr Knightley gravely said
»This explains the sort of clever thing that is wanted and Mr Weston has
done very well for himself but he must have knocked up every body else
Perfection should not have come quite so soon«
»Oh for myself I protest I must be excused« said Mrs Elton »I really
cannot attempt I am not at all fond of the sort of thing I had an acrostic
once sent to me upon my own name which I was not at all pleased with I knew
who it came from An abominable puppy You know who I mean nodding to her
husband These kind of things are very well at Christmas when one is sitting
round the fire but quite out of place in my opinion when one is exploring
about the country in summer Miss Woodhouse must excuse me I am not one of
those who have witty things at every bodys service I do not pretend to be a
wit I have a great deal of vivacity in my own way but I really must be allowed
to judge when to speak and when to hold my tongue Pass us if you please Mr
Churchill Pass Mr E Knightley Jane and myself We have nothing clever to
say not one of us«
»Yes yes pray pass me« added her husband with a sort of sneering
consciousness »I have nothing to say that can entertain Miss Woodhouse or any
other young lady An old married man quite good for nothing Shall we walk
Augusta«
»With all my heart I am really tired of exploring so long on one spot
Come Jane take my other arm«
Jane declined it however and the husband and wife walked off »Happy
couple« said Frank Churchill as soon as they were out of hearing »How well
they suit one another! Very lucky marrying as they did upon an acquaintance
formed only in a public place They only knew each other I think a few weeks
in Bath Peculiarly lucky for as to any real knowledge of a persons
disposition that Bath or any public place can give it is all nothing there
can be no knowledge It is only by seeing women in their own homes among their
own set just as they always are that you can form any just judgment Short of
that it is all guess and luck and will generally be illluck How many a man
has committed himself on a short aquaintance and rued it all the rest of his
life«
Miss Fairfax who had seldom spoken before except among her own
confederates spoke now
»Such things do occur undoubtedly« She was stopped by a cough Frank
Churchill turned towards her to listen
»You were speaking« said he gravely She recovered her voice
»I was only going to observe that though such unfortunate circumstances do
sometimes occur both to men and women I cannot imagine them to be very
frequent A hasty and imprudent attachment may arise but there is generally
time to recover from it afterwards I would be understood to mean that it can
be only weak irresolute characters whose happiness must be always at the
mercy of chance who will suffer an unfortunate acquaintance to be an
inconvenience an oppression for ever«
He made no answer merely looked and bowed in submission and soon
afterwards said in a lively tone
»Well I have so little confidence in my own judgment that whenever I
marry I hope somebody will choose my wife for me Will you turning to Emma
Will you choose a wife for me I am sure I should like any body fixed on by
you You provide for the family you know with a smile at his father Find
somebody for me I am in no hurry Adopt her educate her«
»And make her like myself«
»By all means if you can«
»Very well I undertake the commission You shall have a charming wife«
»She must be very lively and have hazle eyes I care for nothing else I
shall go abroad for a couple of years and when I return I shall come to you
for my wife Remember«
Emma was in no danger of forgetting It was a commission to touch every
favourite feeling Would not Harriet be the very creature described Hazle
eyes excepted two years more might make her all that he wished He might even
have Harriet in his thoughts at the moment who could say Referring the
education to her seemed to imply it
»Now maam« said Jane to her aunt »shall we join Mrs Elton«
»If you please my dear With all my heart I am quite ready I was ready to
have gone with her but this will do just as well We shall soon overtake her
There she is no thats somebody else That s one of the ladies in the Irish
car party not at all like her Well I declare «
They walked off followed in half a minute by Mr Knightley Mr Weston his
son Emma and Harriet only remained and the young mans spirits now rose to a
pitch almost unpleasant Even Emma grew tired at last of flattery and merriment
and wished herself rather walking quietly about with any of the others or
sitting almost alone and quite unattended to in tranquil observation of the
beautiful views beneath her The appearance of the servants looking out for them
to give notice of the carriages was a joyful sight and even the bustle of
collecting and preparing to depart and the solicitude of Mrs Elton to have her
carriage first were gladly endured in the prospect of the quiet drive home
which was to close the very questionable enjoyments of this day of pleasure
Such another scheme composed of so many illassorted people she hoped never to
be betrayed into again
While waiting for the carriage she found Mr Knightley by her side He
looked around as if to see that no one were near and then said
»Emma I must once more speak to you as I have been used to do a privilege
rather endured than allowed perhaps but I must still use it I cannot see you
acting wrong without a remonstrance How could you be so unfeeling to Miss
Bates How could you be so insolent in your wit to a woman of her character
age and situation Emma I had not thought it possible«
Emma recollected blushed was sorry but tried to laugh it off
»Nay how could I help saying what I did Nobody could have helped it It
was not so very bad I dare say she did not understand me«
»I assure you she did She felt your full meaning She has talked of it
since I wish you could have heard how she talked of it with what candour and
generosity I wish you could have heard her honouring your forbearance in being
able to pay her such attentions as she was for ever receiving from yourself and
your father when her society must be so irksome«
»Oh« cried Emma »I know there is not a better creature in the world but
you must allow that what is good and what is ridiculous are most unfortunately
blended in her«
»They are blended« said he »I acknowledge and were she prosperous I
could allow much for the occasional prevalence of the ridiculous over the good
Were she a woman of fortune I would leave every harmless absurdity to take its
chance I would not quarrel with you for any liberties of manner Were she your
equal in situation but Emma consider how far this is from being the case
She is poor she has sunk from the comforts she was born to and if she live to
old age must probably sink more Her situation should secure your compassion
It was badly done indeed You whom she had known from an infant whom she
had seen grow up from a period when her notice was an honour to have you now
in thoughtless spirits and the pride of the moment laugh at her humble her
and before her niece too and before others many of whom certainly some
would be entirely guided by your treatment of her This is not pleasant to
you Emma and it is very far from pleasant to me but I must I will I will
tell you truths while I can satisfied with proving myself your friend by very
faithful counsel and trusting that you will some time or other do me greater
justice than you can do now«
While they talked they were advancing towards the carriage it was ready
and before she could speak again he had handed her in He had misinterpreted
the feelings which had kept her face averted and her tongue motionless They
were combined only of anger against herself mortification and deep concern
She had not been able to speak and on entering the carriage sunk back for a
moment overcome then reproaching herself for having taken no leave making no
acknowledgement parting in apparent sullenness she looked out with voice and
hand eager to show a difference but it was just too late He had turned away
and the horses were in motion She continued to look back but in vain and
soon with what appeared unusual speed they were half way down the hill and
every thing left far behind She was vexed beyond what could have been expressed
almost beyond what she could conceal Never had she felt so agitated
mortified grieved at any circumstance in her life She was most forcibly
struck The truth of his representation there was no denying She felt it at her
heart How could she have been so brutal so cruel to Miss Bates How could
she have exposed herself to such ill opinion in any one she valued And how
suffer him to leave her without saying one word of gratitude of concurrence of
common kindness
Time did not compose her As she reflected more she seemed but to feel it
more She never had been so depressed Happily it was not necessary to speak
There was only Harriet who seemed not in spirits herself fagged and very
willing to be silent and Emma felt the tears running down her cheeks almost all
the way home without being at any trouble to check them extraordinary as they
were
Chapter VIII
The wretchedness of a scheme to Box Hill was in Emmas thoughts all the evening
How it might be considered by the rest of the party she could not tell They
in their different homes and their different ways might be looking back on it
with pleasure but in her view it was a morning more completely misspent more
totally bare of rational satisfaction at the time and more to be abhorred in
recollection than any she had ever passed A whole evening of backgammon with
her father was felicity to it There indeed lay real pleasure for there she
was giving up the sweetest hours of the twentyfour to his comfort and feeling
that unmerited as might be the degree of his fond affection and confiding
esteem she could not in her general conduct be open to any severe reproach
As a daughter she hoped she was not without a heart She hoped no one could
have said to her »How could you be so unfeeling to your father I must I
will tell you truths while I can« Miss Bates should never again no never If
attention in future could do away the past she might hope to be forgiven She
had been often remiss her conscience told her so remiss perhaps more in
thought than fact scornful ungracious But it should be so no more In the
warmth of true contrition she would call upon her the very next morning and it
should be the beginning on her side of a regular equal kindly intercourse
She was just as determined when the morrow came and went early that
nothing might prevent her It was not unlikely she thought that she might see
Mr Knightley in her way or perhaps he might come in while she were paying
her visit She had no objection She would not be ashamed of the appearance of
the penitence so justly and truly hers Her eyes were towards Donwell as she
walked but she saw him not
»The ladies were all at home« She had never rejoiced at the sound before
nor ever before entered the passage nor walked up the stairs with any wish of
giving pleasure but in conferring obligation or of deriving it except in
subsequent ridicule
There was a bustle on her approach a good deal of moving and talking She
heard Miss Batess voice something was to be done in a hurry the maid looked
frightened and awkward hoped she would be pleased to wait a moment and then
ushered her in too soon The aunt and niece seemed both escaping into the
adjoining room Jane she had a distinct glimpse of looking extremely ill and
before the door had shut them out she heard Miss Bates saying »Well my dear
I shall say you are laid down upon the bed and I am sure you are ill enough«
Poor old Mrs Bates civil and humble as usual looked as if she did not
quite understand what was going on
»I am afraid Jane is not very well« said she »but I do not know they tell
me she is well I dare say my daughter will be here presently Miss Woodhouse I
hope you find a chair I wish Hetty had not gone I am very little able Have
you a chair maam Do you sit where you like I am sure she will be here
presently«
Emma seriously hoped she would She had a moments fear of Miss Bates
keeping away from her But Miss Bates soon came »Very happy and obliged« but
Emmas conscience told her that there was not the same cheerful volubility as
before less ease of look and manner A very friendly inquiry after Miss
Fairfax she hoped might lead the way to a return of old feelings The touch
seemed immediate
»Ah Miss Woodhouse how kind you are I suppose you have heard and are
come to give us joy This does not seem much like joy indeed in me
twinkling away a tear or two but it will be very trying for us to part with
her after having had her so long and she has a dreadful headach just now
writing all the morning such long letters you know to be written to Colonel
Campbell and Mrs Dixon My dear said I you will blind yourself for tears
were in her eyes perpetually One cannot wonder one cannot wonder It is a
great change and though she is amazingly fortunate such a situation I
suppose as no young woman before ever met with on first going out do not
think us ungrateful Miss Woodhouse for such surprising good fortune again
dispersing her tears but poor dear soul if you were to see what a headach
she has When one is in great pain you know one cannot feel any blessing quite
as it may deserve She is as low as possible To look at her nobody would think
how delighted and happy she is to have secured such a situation You will excuse
her not coming to you she is not able she is gone into her own room I want
her to lie down upon the bed My dear said I I shall say you are laid down
upon the bed but however she is not she is walking about the room But now
that she has written her letters she says she shall soon be well She will be
extremely sorry to miss seeing you Miss Woodhouse but your kindness will
excuse her You were kept waiting at the door I was quite ashamed but
somehow there was a little bustle for it so happened that we had not heard the
knock and till you were on the stairs we did not know any body was coming It
is only Mrs Cole said I depend upon it Nobody else would come so early
Well said she it must be borne some time or other and it may as well be now
But then Patty came in and said it was you Oh said I it is Miss Woodhouse I
am sure you will like to see her I can see nobody said she and up she got
and would go away and that was what made us keep you waiting and extremely
sorry and ashamed we were If you must go my dear said I you must and I will
say you are laid down upon the bed«
Emma was most sincerely interested Her heart had been long growing kinder
towards Jane and this picture of her present sufferings acted as a cure of
every former ungenerous suspicion and left her nothing but pity and the
remembrance of the less just and less gentle sensations of the past obliged her
to admit that Jane might very naturally resolve on seeing Mrs Cole or any other
steady friend when she might not bear to see herself She spoke as she felt
with earnest regret and solicitude sincerely wishing that the circumstances
which she collected from Miss Bates to be now actually determined on might be
as much for Miss Fairfaxs advantage and comfort as possible »It must be a
severe trial to them all She had understood it was to be delayed till Colonel
Campbells return«
»So very kind« replied Miss Bates »But you are always kind«
There was no bearing such an always and to break through her dreadful
gratitude Emma made the direct inquiry of
»Where may I ask is Miss Fairfax going«
»To a Mrs Smallridge charming woman most superior to have the charge
of her three little girls delightful children Impossible that any situation
could be more replete with comfort if we except perhaps Mrs Sucklings own
family and Mrs Bragges but Mrs Smallridge is intimate with both and in the
very same neighbourhood lives only four miles from Maple Grove Jane will be
only four miles from Maple Grove«
»Mrs Elton I suppose has been the person to whom Miss Fairfax owes «
»Yes our good Mrs Elton The most indefatigable true friend She would
not take a denial She would not let Jane say No for when Jane first heard of
it it was the day before yesterday the very morning we were at Donwell when
Jane first heard of it she was quite decided against accepting the offer and
for the reasons you mention exactly as you say she had made up her mind to
close with nothing till Colonel Campbells return and nothing should induce her
to enter into any engagement at present and so she told Mrs Elton over and
over again and I am sure I had no more idea that she would change her mind
but that good Mrs Elton whose judgement never fails her saw farther than I
did It is not every body that would have stood out in such a kind way as she
did and refuse to take Janes answer but she positively declared she would not
write any such denial yesterday as Jane wished her she would wait and sure
enough yesterday evening it was all settled that Jane should go Quite a
surprise to me I had not the least idea Jane took Mrs Elton aside and told
her at once that upon thinking over the advantages of Mrs Sucklings
situation she had come to the resolution of accepting it I did not know a
word of it till it was all settled«
»You spent the evening with Mrs Elton«
»Yes all of us Mrs Elton would have us come It was settled so upon the
hill while we were walking about with Mr Knightley You must all spend your
evening with us said she I positively must have you all come«
»Mr Knightley was there too was he«
»No not Mr Knightley he declined it from the first and though I thought
he would come because Mrs Elton declared she would not let him off he did
not but my mother and Jane and I were all there and a very agreeable
evening we had Such kind friends you know Miss Woodhouse one must always
find agreeable though every body seemed rather fagged after the mornings
party Even pleasure you know is fatiguing and I cannot say that any of them
seemed very much to have enjoyed it However I shall always think it a very
pleasant party and feel extremely obliged to the kind friends who included me
in it«
»Miss Fairfax I suppose though you were not aware of it had been making
up her mind the whole day«
»I dare say she had«
»Whenever the time may come it must be unwelcome to her and all her friends
but I hope her engagement will have every alleviation that is possible I
mean as to the character and manners of the family«
»Thank you dear Miss Woodhouse Yes indeed there is every thing in the
world that can make her happy in it Except the Sucklings and Bragges there is
not such another nursery establishment so liberal and elegant in all Mrs
Eltons acquaintance Mrs Smallridge a most delightful woman A style of
living almost equal to Maple Grove and as to the children except the little
Sucklings and little Bragges there are not such elegant sweet children any
where Jane will be treated with such regard and kindness It will be nothing
but pleasure a life of pleasure And her salary I really cannot venture to
name her salary to you Miss Woodhouse Even you used as you are to great sums
would hardly believe that so much could be given to a young person like Jane«
»Ah madam« cried Emma »if other children are at all like what I remember
to have been myself I should think five times the amount of what I have ever
yet heard named as a salary on such occasions dearly earned«
»You are so noble in your ideas«
»And when is Miss Fairfax to leave you«
»Very soon very soon indeed thats the worst of it Within a fortnight
Mrs Smallridge is in a great hurry My poor mother does not know how to bear
it So then I try to put it out of her thoughts and say Come maam do not
let us think about it any more«
»Her friends must all be sorry to lose her and will not Colonel and Mrs
Campbell be sorry to find that she has engaged herself before their return«
»Yes Jane says she is sure they will but yet this is such a situation as
she cannot feel herself justified in declining I was so astonished when she
first told me what she had been saying to Mrs Elton and when Mrs Elton at the
same moment came congratulating me upon it It was before tea stay no it
could not be before tea because we were just going to cards and yet it was
before tea because I remember thinking Oh no now I recollect now I have
it something happened before tea but not that Mr Elton was called out of the
room before tea old John Abdys son wanted to speak with him Poor old John I
have a great regard for him he was clerk to my poor father twentyseven years
and now poor old man he is bedridden and very poorly with the rheumatic gout
in his joints I must go and see him today and so will Jane I am sure if
she gets out at all And poor Johns son came to talk to Mr Elton about relief
from the parish he is very well to do himself you know being head man at the
Crown ostler and every thing of that sort but still he cannot keep his father
without some help and so when Mr Elton came back he told us what John ostler
had been telling him and then it came out about the chaise having been sent to
Randalls to take Mr Frank Churchill to Richmond That was what happened before
tea It was after tea that Jane spoke to Mrs Elton«
Miss Bates would hardly give Emma time to say how perfectly new this
circumstance was to her but as without supposing it possible that she could be
ignorant of any of the particulars of Mr Frank Churchills going she proceeded
to give them all it was of no consequence
What Mr Elton had learnt from the ostler on the subject being the
accumulation of the ostlers own knowledge and the knowledge of the servants at
Randalls was that a messenger had come over from Richmond soon after the
return of the party from Box Hill which messenger however had been no more
than was expected and that Mr Churchill had sent his nephew a few lines
containing upon the whole a tolerable account of Mrs Churchill and only
wishing him not to delay coming back beyond the next morning early but that Mr
Frank Churchill having resolved to go home directly without waiting at all and
his horse seeming to have got a cold Tom had been sent off immediately for the
Crown chaise and the ostler had stood out and seen it pass by the boy going a
good pace and driving very steady
There was nothing in all this either to astonish or interest and it caught
Emmas attention only as it united with the subject which already engaged her
mind The contrast between Mrs Churchills importance in the world and Jane
Fairfaxs struck her one was every thing the other nothing and she sat
musing on the difference of womans destiny and quite unconscious on what her
eyes were fixed till roused by Miss Batess saying
»Ay I see what you are thinking of the piano forté What is to become of
that Very true Poor dear Jane was talking of it just now You must go
said she You and I must part You will have no business here Let it stay
however said she give it houseroom till Colonel Campbell comes back I shall
talk about it to him he will settle for me he will help me out of all my
difficulties And to this day I do believe she knows not whether it was his
present or his daughters«
Now Emma was obliged to think of the piano forté and the remembrance of all
her former fanciful and unfair conjectures was so little pleasing that she soon
allowed herself to believe her visit had been long enough and with a
repetition of every thing that she could venture to say of the good wishes which
she really felt took leave
Chapter IX
Emmas pensive meditations as she walked home were not interrupted but on
entering the parlour she found those who must rouse her Mr Knightley and
Harriet had arrived during her absence and were sitting with her father Mr
Knightley immediately got up and in a manner decidedly graver than usual said
»I would not go away without seeing you but I have no time to spare and
therefore must now be gone directly I am going to London to spend a few days
with John and Isabella Have you any thing to send or say besides the love
which nobody carries«
»Nothing at all But is not this a sudden scheme«
»Yes rather I have been thinking of it some little time«
Emma was sure he had not forgiven her he looked unlike himself Time
however she thought would tell him that they ought to be friends again While
he stood as if meaning to go but not going her father began his inquiries
»Well my dear and did you get there safely And how did you find my
worthy old friend and her daughter I dare say they must have been very much
obliged to you for coming Dear Emma has been to call on Mrs and Miss Bates
Mr Knightley as I told you before She is always so attentive to them«
Emmas colour was heightened by this unjust praise and with a smile and
shake of the head which spoke much she looked at Mr Knightley It seemed as
if there were an instantaneous impression in her favour as if his eyes received
the truth from hers and all that had passed of good in her feelings were at
once caught and honoured He looked at her with a glow of regard She was
warmly gratified and in another moment still more so by a little movement of
more than common friendliness on his part He took her hand whether she had
not herself made the first motion she could not say she might perhaps have
rather offered it but he took her hand pressed it and certainly was on the
point of carrying it to his lips when from some fancy or other he suddenly
let it go Why he should feel such a scruple why he should change his mind
when it was all but done she could not perceive He would have judged better
she thought if he had not stopped The intention however was indubitable
and whether it was that his manners had in general so little gallantry or
however else it happened but she thought nothing became him more It was with
him of so simple yet so dignified a nature She could not but recall the
attempt with great satisfaction It spoke such perfect amity He left them
immediately afterwards gone in a moment He always moved with the alertness of
a mind which could neither be undecided nor dilatory but now he seemed more
sudden than usual in his disappearance
Emma could not regret her having gone to Miss Bates but she wished she had
left her ten minutes earlier it would have been a great pleasure to talk over
Jane Fairfaxs situation with Mr Knightley Neither would she regret that he
should be going to Brunswick Square for she knew how much his visit would be
enjoyed but it might have happened at a better time and to have had longer
notice of it would have been pleasanter They parted thorough friends
however she could not be deceived as to the meaning of his countenance and his
unfinished gallantry it was all done to assure her that she had fully
recovered his good opinion He had been sitting with them half an hour she
found It was a pity that she had not come back earlier
In the hope of diverting her fathers thoughts from the disagreeableness of
Mr Knightleys going to London and going so suddenly and going on horseback
which she knew would be all very bad Emma communicated her news of Jane
Fairfax and her dependence on the effect was justified it supplied a very
useful check interested without disturbing him He had long made up his mind
to Jane Fairfaxs going out as governess and could talk of it cheerfully but
Mr Knightleys going to London had been an unexpected blow
»I am very glad indeed my dear to hear she is to be so comfortably
settled Mrs Elton is very goodnatured and agreeable and I dare say her
acquaintance are just what they ought to be I hope it is a dry situation and
that her health will be taken good care of It ought to be a first object as I
am sure poor Miss Taylors always was with me You know my dear she is going
to be to this new lady what Miss Taylor was to us And I hope she will be better
off in one respect and not be induced to go away after it has been her home so
long«
The following day brought news from Richmond to throw every thing else into
the background An express arrived at Randalls to announce the death of Mrs
Churchill Though her nephew had had no particular reason to hasten back on her
account she had not lived above sixandthirty hours after his return A sudden
seizure of a different nature from any thing foreboded by her general state had
carried her off after a short struggle The great Mrs Churchill was no more
It was felt as such things must be felt Every body had a degree of gravity
and sorrow tenderness towards the departed solicitude for the surviving
friends and in a reasonable time curiosity to know where she would be buried
Goldsmith tells us that when lovely woman stoops to folly she has nothing to
do but to die and when she stoops to be disagreeable it is equally to be
recommended as a clearer of illfame Mrs Churchill after being disliked at
least twentyfive years was now spoken of with compassionate allowances In one
point she was fully justified She had never been admitted before to be
seriously ill The event acquitted her of all the fancifulness and all the
selfishness of imaginary complaints
»Poor Mrs Churchill no doubt she had been suffering a great deal more
than any body had ever supposed and continual pain would try the temper It
was a sad event a great shock with all her faults what would Mr Churchill
do without her Mr Churchills loss would be dreadful indeed Mr Churchill
would never get over it« Even Mr Weston shook his head and looked solemn
and said »Ah poor woman who would have thought it« and resolved that his
mourning should be as handsome as possible and his wife sat sighing and
moralizing over her broad hems with a commiseration and good sense true and
steady How it would affect Frank was among the earliest thoughts of both It
was also a very early speculation with Emma The character of Mrs Churchill
the grief of her husband her mind glanced over them both with awe and
compassion and then rested with lightened feelings on how Frank might be
affected by the event how benefited how freed She saw in a moment all the
possible good Now an attachment to Harriet Smith would have nothing to
encounter Mr Churchill independent of his wife was feared by nobody an
easy guidable man to be persuaded into any thing by his nephew All that
remained to be wished was that the nephew should form the attachment as with
all her good will in the cause Emma could feel no certainty of its being
already formed
Harriet behaved extremely well on the occasion with great selfcommand
Whatever she might feel of brighter hope she betrayed nothing Emma was
gratified to observe such a proof in her of strengthened character and
refrained from any allusion that might endanger its maintenance They spoke
therefore of Mrs Churchills death with mutual forbearance
Short letters from Frank were received at Randalls communicating all that
was immediately important of their state and plans Mr Churchill was better
than could be expected and their first removal on the departure of the funeral
for Yorkshire was to be to the house of a very old friend in Windsor to whom
Mr Churchill had been promising a visit the last ten years At present there
was nothing to be done for Harriet good wishes for the future were all that
could yet be possible on Emmas side
It was a more pressing concern to show attention to Jane Fairfax whose
prospects were closing while Harriets opened and whose engagements now
allowed of no delay in any one at Highbury who wished to show her kindness
and with Emma it was grown into a first wish She had scarcely a stronger regret
than for her past coldness and the person whom she had been so many months
neglecting was now the very one on whom she would have lavished every
distinction of regard or sympathy She wanted to be of use to her wanted to
show a value for her society and testify respect and consideration She
resolved to prevail on her to spend a day at Hartfield A note was written to
urge it The invitation was refused and by a verbal message »Miss Fairfax was
not well enough to write« and when Mr Perry called at Hartfield the same
morning it appeared that she was so much indisposed as to have been visited
though against her own consent by himself and that she was suffering under
severe headachs and a nervous fever to a degree which made him doubt the
possibility of her going to Mrs Smallridges at the time proposed Her health
seemed for the moment completely deranged appetite quite gone and though
there were no absolutely alarming symptoms nothing touching the pulmonary
complaint which was the standing apprehension of the family Mr Perry was
uneasy about her He thought she had undertaken more than she was equal to and
that she felt it so herself though she would not own it Her spirits seemed
overcome Her present home he could not but observe was unfavourable to a
nervous disorder confined always to one room he could have wished it
otherwise and her good aunt though his very old friend he must acknowledge
to be not the best companion for an invalid of that description Her care and
attention could not be questioned they were in fact only too great He very
much feared that Miss Fairfax derived more evil than good from them Emma
listened with the warmest concern grieved for her more and more and looked
around eager to discover some way of being useful To take her be it only an
hour or two from her aunt to give her change of air and scene and quiet
rational conversation even for an hour or two might do her good and the
following morning she wrote again to say in the most feeling language she could
command that she would call for her in the carriage at any hour that Jane would
name mentioning that she had Mr Perrys decided opinion in favour of such
exercise for his patient The answer was only in this short note
»Miss Fairfaxs compliments and thanks but is quite unequal to any
exercise«
Emma felt that her own note had deserved something better but it was
impossible to quarrel with words whose tremulous inequality showed
indisposition so plainly and she thought only of how she might best counteract
this unwillingness to be seen or assisted In spite of the answer therefore
she ordered the carriage and drove to Mrs Batess in the hope that Jane would
be induced to join her but it would not do Miss Bates came to the carriage
door all gratitude and agreeing with her most earnestly in thinking an airing
might be of the greatest service and every thing that message could do was
tried but all in vain Miss Bates was obliged to return without success Jane
was quite unpersuadable the mere proposal of going out seemed to make her
worse Emma wished she could have seen her and tried her own powers but
almost before she could hint the wish Miss Bates made it appear that she had
promised her niece on no account to let Miss Woodhouse in »Indeed the truth
was that poor dear Jane could not bear to see anybody anybody at all Mrs
Elton indeed could not be denied and Mrs Cole had made such a point and
Mrs Perry had said so much but except them Jane would really see nobody«
Emma did not want to be classed with the Mrs Eltons the Mrs Perrys and
the Mrs Coles who would force themselves anywhere neither could she feel any
right of preference herself she submitted therefore and only questioned Miss
Bates farther as to her nieces appetite and diet which she longed to be able
to assist On that subject poor Miss Bates was very unhappy and very
communicative Jane would hardly eat any thing: Mr Perry recommended
nourishing food but every thing they could command and never had anybody such
good neighbours was distasteful
Emma on reaching home called the housekeeper directly to an examination
of her stores and some arrowroot of very superior quality was speedily
despatched to Miss Bates with a most friendly note In half an hour the
arrowroot was returned with a thousand thanks from Miss Bates but »dear Jane
would not be satisfied without its being sent back it was a thing she could not
take and moreover she insisted on her saying that she was not at all in
want of any thing.«
When Emma afterwards heard that Jane Fairfax had been seen wandering about
the meadows at some distance from Highbury on the afternoon of the very day on
which she had under the plea of being unequal to any exercise so peremptorily
refused to go out with her in the carriage she could have no doubt putting
every thing together that Jane was resolved to receive no kindness from her
She was sorry very sorry Her heart was grieved for a state which seemed but
the more pitiable from this sort of irritation of spirits inconsistency of
action and inequality of powers and it mortified her that she was given so
little credit for proper feeling or esteemed so little worthy as a friend but
she had the consolation of knowing that her intentions were good and of being
able to say to herself that could Mr Knightley have been privy to all her
attempts of assisting Jane Fairfax could he even have seen into her heart he
would not on this occasion have found any thing to reprove
Chapter X
One morning about ten days after Mrs Churchills decease Emma was called down
stairs to Mr Weston who »could not stay five minutes and wanted particularly
to speak with her« He met her at the parlour door and hardly asking her how
she did in the natural key of his voice sunk it immediately to say unheard
by her father
»Can you come to Randalls at any time this morning Do if it be
possible Mrs Weston wants to see you She must see you«
»Is she unwell«
»No no not at all only a little agitated She would have ordered the
carriage and come to you but she must see you alone and that you know
nodding towards her father Humph Can you come«
»Certainly This moment if you please It is impossible to refuse what you
ask in such a way But what can be the matter Is she really not ill«
»Depend upon me but ask no more questions You will know it all in time
The most unaccountable business But hush hush«
To guess what all this meant was impossible even for Emma Something really
important seemed announced by his looks but as her friend was well she
endeavoured not to be uneasy and settling it with her father that she would
take her walk now she and Mr Weston were soon out of the house together and on
their way at a quick pace for Randalls
»Now« said Emma when they were fairly beyond the sweep gates »now Mr
Weston do let me know what has happened«
»No no« he gravely replied »Dont ask me I promised my wife to leave
it all to her She will break it to you better than I can Do not be impatient
Emma it will all come out too soon«
»Break it to me« cried Emma standing still with terror »Good God Mr
Weston tell me at once Something has happened in Brunswick Square I know it
has Tell me I charge you tell me this moment what it is«
»No indeed you are mistaken«
»Mr Weston do not trifle with me Consider how many of my dearest friends
are now in Brunswick Square Which of them is it I charge you by all that is
sacred not to attempt concealment«
»Upon my word Emma«
»Your word why not your honour why not say upon your honour that it
has nothing to do with any of them Good Heavens What can be to be broke to
me that does not relate to one of that family«
»Upon my honour« said he very seriously »it does not It is not in the
smallest degree connected with any human being of the name of Knightley«
Emmas courage returned and she walked on
»I was wrong« he continued »in talking of its being broke to you I should
not have used the expression In fact it does not concern you it concerns
only myself that is we hope Humph In short my dear Emma there is no
occasion to be so uneasy about it I dont say that it is not a disagreeable
business but things might be much worse If we walk fast we shall soon be
at Randalls«
Emma found that she must wait and now it required little effort She asked
no more questions therefore merely employed her own fancy and that soon
pointed out to her the probability of its being some money concern something
just come to light of a disagreeable nature in the circumstances of the family
something which the late event at Richmond had brought forward Her fancy was
very active Half a dozen natural children perhaps and poor Frank cut off
This though very undesirable would be no matter of agony to her It inspired
little more than an animating curiosity
»Who is that gentleman on horseback« said she as they proceeded speaking
more to assist Mr Weston in keeping his secret than with any other view
»I do not know One of the Otways Not Frank it is not Frank I
assure you You will not see him He is half way to Windsor by this time«
»Has your son been with you then«
»Oh yes did not you know Well well never mind«
For a moment he was silent and then added in a tone much more guarded and
demure
»Yes Frank came over this morning just to ask us how we did«
They hurried on and were speedily at Randalls »Well my dear« said he
as they entered the room »I have brought her and now I hope you will soon be
better I shall leave you together There is no use in delay I shall not be far
off if you want me« And Emma distinctly heard him add in a lower tone
before he quitted the room »I have been as good as my word She has not the
least idea«
Mrs Weston was looking so ill and had an air of so much perturbation that
Emmas uneasiness increased and the moment they were alone she eagerly said
»What is it my dear friend Something of a very unpleasant nature I find
has occurred do let me know directly what it is I have been walking all this
way in complete suspense We both abhor suspense Do not let mine continue
longer It will do you good to speak of your distress whatever it may be«
»Have you indeed no idea« said Mrs Weston in a trembling voice »Cannot
you my dear Emma cannot you form a guess as to what you are to hear«
»So far as that it relates to Mr Frank Churchill I do guess«
»You are right It does relate to him and I will tell you directly«
resuming her work and seeming resolved against looking up »He has been here
this very morning on a most extraordinary errand It is impossible to express
our surprise He came to speak to his father on a subject to announce an
attachment «
She stopped to breathe Emma thought first of herself and then of Harriet
»More than an attachment indeed« resumed Mrs Weston »an engagement a
positive engagement What will you say Emma what will anybody say when it
is known that Frank Churchill and Miss Fairfax are engaged nay that they
have been long engaged«
Emma even jumped with surprise and horrorstruck exclaimed
»Jane Fairfax Good God You are not serious You do not mean it«
»You may well be amazed« returned Mrs Weston still averting her eyes and
talking on with eagerness that Emma might have time to recover »You may well
be amazed But it is even so There has been a solemn engagement between them
ever since October formed at Weymouth and kept a secret from everybody Not a
creature knowing it but themselves neither the Campbells nor her family nor
his It is so wonderful that though perfectly convinced of the fact it is
yet almost incredible to myself I can hardly believe it I thought I knew
him«
Emma scarcely heard what was said Her mind was divided between two ideas
her own former conversations with him about Miss Fairfax and poor Harriet
and for some time she could only exclaim and require confirmation repeated
confirmation
»Well« said she at last trying to recover herself »this is a circumstance
which I must think of at least half a day before I can at all comprehend it
What engaged to her all the winter before either of them came to Highbury«
»Engaged since October secretly engaged It has hurt me Emma very
much It has hurt his father equally Some part of his conduct we cannot
excuse«
Emma pondered a moment and then replied »I will not pretend not to
understand you and to give you all the relief in my power be assured that no
such effect has followed his attentions to me as you are apprehensive of«
Mrs Weston looked up afraid to believe but Emmas countenance was as
steady as her words
»That you may have less difficulty in believing this boast of my present
perfect indifference« she continued »I will farther tell you that there was a
period in the early part of our acquaintance when I did like him when I was
very much disposed to be attached to him nay was attached and how it came
to cease is perhaps the wonder Fortunately however it did cease I have
really for some time past for at least these three months cared nothing about
him You may believe me Mrs Weston This is the simple truth«
Mrs Weston kissed her with tears of joy and when she could find utterance
assured her that this protestation had done her more good than any thing else
in the world could do
»Mr Weston will be almost as much relieved as myself« said she »On this
point we have been wretched It was our darling wish that you might be attached
to each other and we were persuaded that it was so Imagine what we have
been feeling on your account«
»I have escaped and that I should escape may be a matter of grateful
wonder to you and myself But this does not acquit him Mrs Weston and I must
say that I think him greatly to blame What right had he to come among us with
affection and faith engaged and with manners so very disengaged What right had
he to endeavour to please as he certainly did to distinguish any one young
woman with persevering attention as he certainly did while he really belonged
to another How could he tell what mischief he might be doing How could he
tell that he might not be making me in love with him very wrong very wrong
indeed«
»From something that he said my dear Emma I rather imagine «
»And how could she bear such behaviour Composure with a witness to look
on while repeated attentions were offering to another woman before her face
and not resent it That is a degree of placidity which I can neither
comprehend nor respect«
»There were misunderstandings between them Emma he said so expressly He
had not time to enter into much explanation He was here only a quarter of an
hour and in a state of agitation which did not allow the full use even of the
time he could stay but that there had been misunderstandings he decidedly
said The present crisis indeed seemed to be brought on by them and those
misunderstandings might very possibly arise from the impropriety of his
conduct«
»Impropriety Oh Mrs Weston it is too calm a censure Much much beyond
impropriety It has sunk him I cannot say how it has sunk him in my opinion
So unlike what a man should be None of that upright integrity that strict
adherence to truth and principle that disdain of trick and littleness which a
man should display in every transaction of his life«
»Nay dear Emma now I must take his part for though he has been wrong in
this instance I have known him long enough to answer for his having many very
many good qualities and «
»Good God« cried Emma not attending to her »Mrs Smallridge too Jane
actually on the point of going as governess What could he mean by such horrible
indelicacy To suffer her to engage herself to suffer her even to think of
such a measure«
»He knew nothing about it Emma On this article I can fully acquit him It
was a private resolution of hers not communicated to him or at least not
communicated in a way to carry conviction Till yesterday I know he said he
was in the dark as to her plans They burst on him I do not know how but by
some letter or message and it was the discovery of what she was doing of this
very project of hers which determined him to come forward at once own it all
to his uncle throw himself on his kindness and in short put an end to the
miserable state of concealment that had been carrying on so long«
Emma began to listen better
»I am to hear from him soon« continued Mrs Weston »He told me at parting
that he should soon write and he spoke in a manner which seemed to promise me
many particulars that could not be given now Let us wait therefore for this
letter It may bring many extenuations It may make many things intelligible and
excusable which now are not to be understood Dont let us be severe dont let
us be in a hurry to condemn him Let us have patience I must love him and now
that I am satisfied on one point the one material point I am sincerely anxious
for its all turning out well and ready to hope that it may They must both have
suffered a great deal under such a system of secresy and concealment«
»His sufferings« replied Emma drily »do not appear to have done him much
harm Well and how did Mr Churchill take it«
»Most favourably for his nephew gave his consent with scarcely a
difficulty Conceive what the events of a week have done in that family While
poor Mrs Churchill lived I suppose there could not have been a hope a chance
a possibility but scarcely are her remains at rest in the family vault than
her husband is persuaded to act exactly opposite to what she would have
required What a blessing it is when undue influence does not survive the
grave He gave his consent with very little persuasion«
»Ah« thought Emma »he would have done as much for Harriet«
»This was settled last night and Frank was off with the light this morning
He stopped at Highbury at the Batess I fancy some time and then came on
hither but was in such a hurry to get back to his uncle to whom he is just now
more necessary than ever that as I tell you he could stay with us but a
quarter of an hour He was very much agitated very much indeed to a
degree that made him appear quite a different creature from any thing I had ever
seen him before In addition to all the rest there had been the shock of
finding her so very unwell which he had had no previous suspicion of and
there was every appearance of his having been feeling a great deal«
»And do you really believe the affair to have been carrying on with such
perfect secresy The Campbells the Dixons did none of them know of the
engagement«
Emma could not speak the name of Dixon without a little blush
»None not one He positively said that it had been known to no being in the
world but their two selves«
»Well« said Emma »I suppose we shall gradually grow reconciled to the
idea and I wish them very happy But I shall always think it a very abominable
sort of proceeding What has it been but a system of hypocrisy and deceit
espionage and treachery To come among us with professions of openness and
simplicity and such a league in secret to judge us all Here have we been
the whole winter and spring completely duped fancying ourselves all on an
equal footing of truth and honour with two people in the midst of us who may
have been carrying round comparing and sitting in judgment on sentiments and
words that were never meant for both to hear They must take the consequence
if they have heard each other spoken of in a way not perfectly agreeable«
»I am quite easy on that head« replied Mrs Weston »I am very sure that I
never said any thing of either to the other which both might not have heard«
»You are in luck Your only blunder was confined to my ear when you
imagined a certain friend of ours in love with the lady«
»True But as I have always had a thoroughly good opinion of Miss Fairfax I
never could under any blunder have spoken ill of her and as to speaking ill
of him there I must have been safe«
At this moment Mr Weston appeared at a little distance from the window
evidently on the watch His wife gave him a look which invited him in and
while he was coming round added »Now dearest Emma let me intreat you to say
and look every thing that may set his heart at ease and incline him to be
satisfied with the match Let us make the best of it and indeed almost every
thing may be fairly said in her favour It is not a connexion to gratify but if
Mr Churchill does not feel that why should we and it may be a very fortunate
circumstance for him for Frank I mean that he should have attached himself to
a girl of such steadiness of character and good judgment as I have always given
her credit for and still am disposed to give her credit for in spite of this
one great deviation from the strict rule of right And how much may be said in
her situation for even that error«
»Much indeed« cried Emma feelingly »If a woman can ever be excused for
thinking only of herself it is in a situation like Jane Fairfaxs Of such
one may almost say that the world is not theirs nor the worlds law«
She met Mr Weston on his entrance with a smiling countenance exclaiming
»A very pretty trick you have been playing me upon my word This was a
device I suppose to sport with my curiosity and exercise my talent of
guessing But you really frightened me I thought you had lost half your
property at least And here instead of its being a matter of condolence it
turns out to be one of congratulation I congratulate you Mr Weston with
all my heart on the prospect of having one of the most lovely and accomplished
young women in England for your daughter«
A glance or two between him and his wife convinced him that all was as
right as this speech proclaimed and its happy effect on his spirits was
immediate His air and voice recovered their usual briskness he shook her
heartily and gratefully by the hand and entered on the subject in a manner to
prove that he now only wanted time and persuasion to think the engagement no
very bad thing His companions suggested only what could palliate imprudence or
smooth objections and by the time they had talked it all over together and he
had talked it all over again with Emma in their walk back to Hartfield he was
become perfectly reconciled and not far from thinking it the very best thing
that Frank could possibly have done
Chapter XI
»Harriet poor Harriet« Those were the words in them lay the tormenting
ideas which Emma could not get rid of and which constituted the real misery of
the business to her Frank Churchill had behaved very ill by herself very ill
in many ways but it was not so much his behaviour as her own which made her
so angry with him It was the scrape which he had drawn her into on Harriets
account that gave the deepest hue to his offence Poor Harriet to be a
second time the dupe of her misconceptions and flattery Mr Knightley had
spoken prophetically when he once said »Emma you have been no friend to
Harriet Smith« She was afraid she had done her nothing but disservice It
was true that she had not to charge herself in this instance as in the former,
with being the sole and original author of the mischief with having suggested
such feelings as might otherwise never have entered Harriets imagination for
Harriet had acknowledged her admiration and preference of Frank Churchill before
she had ever given her a hint on the subject but she felt completely guilty of
having encouraged what she might have repressed She might have prevented the
indulgence and increase of such sentiments Her influence would have been
enough And now she was very conscious that she ought to have prevented them
She felt that she had been risking her friends happiness on most insufficient
grounds Common sense would have directed her to tell Harriet that she must not
allow herself to think of him and that there were five hundred chances to one
against his ever caring for her »But with common sense« she added »I am
afraid I have had little to do«
She was extremely angry with herself If she could not have been angry with
Frank Churchill too it would have been dreadful As for Jane Fairfax she
might at least relieve her feelings from any present solicitude on her account
Harriet would be anxiety enough she need no longer be unhappy about Jane whose
troubles and whose ill health having of course the same origin must be
equally under cure Her days of insignificance and evil were over She would
soon be well and happy and prosperous Emma could now imagine why her own
attentions had been slighted This discovery laid many smaller matters open No
doubt it had been from jealousy In Janes eyes she had been a rival and well
might any thing she could offer of assistance or regard be repulsed An airing
in the Hartfield carriage would have been the rack and arrowroot from the
Hartfield storeroom must have been poison She understood it all and as far as
her mind could disengage itself from the injustice and selfishness of angry
feelings she acknowledged that Jane Fairfax would have neither elevation nor
happiness beyond her desert But poor Harriet was such an engrossing charge
There was little sympathy to be spared for any body else Emma was sadly fearful
that this second disappointment would be more severe than the first Considering
the very superior claims of the object, it ought and judging by its apparently
stronger effect on Harriets mind producing reserve and selfcommand it would
She must communicate the painful truth however and as soon as possible An
injunction of secresy had been among Mr Westons parting words »For the
present the whole affair was to be completely a secret Mr Churchill had made
a point of it as a token of respect to the wife he had so very recently lost
and everybody admitted it to be no more than due decorum« Emma had promised
but still Harriet must be excepted It was her superior duty
In spite of her vexation she could not help feeling it almost ridiculous
that she should have the very same distressing and delicate office to perform by
Harriet which Mrs Weston had just gone through by herself The intelligence
which had been so anxiously announced to her she was now to be anxiously
announcing to another Her heart beat quick on hearing Harriets footstep and
voice so she supposed had poor Mrs Weston felt when she was approaching
Randalls Could the event of the disclosure bear an equal resemblance But of
that unfortunately there could be no chance
»Well Miss Woodhouse« cried Harriet coming eagerly into the room »is
not this the oddest news that ever was«
»What news do you mean« replied Emma unable to guess by look or voice
whether Harriet could indeed have received any hint
»About Jane Fairfax Did you ever hear any thing so strange Oh you need
not be afraid of owning it to me for Mr Weston has told me himself I met him
just now He told me it was to be a great secret and therefore I should not
think of mentioning it to any body but you but he said you knew it«
»What did Mr Weston tell you« said Emma still perplexed
»Oh he told me all about it that Jane Fairfax and Mr Frank Churchill are
to be married and that they have been privately engaged to one another this
long while How very odd«
It was indeed so odd Harriets behaviour was so extremely odd that Emma
did not know how to understand it Her character appeared absolutely changed
She seemed to propose showing no agitation or disappointment or peculiar
concern in the discovery Emma looked at her quite unable to speak
»Had you any idea« cried Harriet »of his being in love with her You
perhaps might You blushing as she spoke who can see into everybodys
heart but nobody else «
»Upon my word« said Emma »I begin to doubt my having any such talent Can
you seriously ask me Harriet whether I imagined him attached to another woman
at the very time that I was tacitly if not openly encouraging you to give
way to your own feelings I never had the slightest suspicion till within the
last hour of Mr Frank Churchills having the least regard for Jane Fairfax
You may be very sure that if I had I should have cautioned you accordingly«
»Me« cried Harriet colouring and astonished »Why should you caution me
You do not think I care about Mr Frank Churchill«
»I am delighted to hear you speak so stoutly on the subject« replied Emma
smiling »but you do not mean to deny that there was a time and not very
distant either when you gave me reason to understand that you did care about
him«
»Him never never Dear Miss Woodhouse how could you so mistake me«
turning away distressed
»Harriet« cried Emma after a moments pause »What do you mean Good
Heaven what do you mean Mistake you Am I to suppose then «
She could not speak another word Her voice was lost and she sat down
waiting in great terror till Harriet should answer
Harriet who was standing at some distance and with face turned from her
did not immediately say any thing; and when she did speak it was in a voice
nearly as agitated as Emmas
»I should not have thought it possible« she began »that you could have
misunderstood me I know we agreed never to name him but considering how
infinitely superior he is to every body else I should not have thought it
possible that I could be supposed to mean any other person Mr Frank Churchill
indeed I do not know who would ever look at him in the company of the other I
hope I have a better taste than to think of Mr Frank Churchill who is like
nobody by his side And that you should have been so mistaken is amazing I
am sure but for believing that you entirely approved and meant to encourage me
in my attachment I should have considered it at first too great a presumption
almost to dare to think of him At first if you had not told me that more
wonderful things had happened that there had been matches of greater disparity
those were your very words I should not have dared to give way to I
should not have thought it possible But if you who had been always acquainted
with him «
»Harriet« cried Emma collecting herself resolutely »Let us understand
each other now without the possibility of farther mistake Are you speaking of
Mr Knightley«
»To be sure I am I never could have an idea of anybody else and so I
thought you knew When we talked about him it was clear as possible«
»Not quite« returned Emma with forced calmness »for all that you then
said appeared to me to relate to a different person I could almost assert that
you had named Mr Frank Churchill I am sure the service Mr Frank Churchill had
rendered you in protecting you from the gipsies was spoken of«
»Oh Miss Woodhouse how you do forget«
»My dear Harriet I perfectly remember the substance of what I said on the
occasion I told you that I did not wonder at your attachment that considering
the service he had rendered you it was extremely natural and you agreed to
it expressing yourself very warmly as to your sense of that service and
mentioning even what your sensations had been in seeing him come forward to your
rescue The impression of it is strong on my memory«
»Oh dear« cried Harriet »now I recollect what you mean but I was
thinking of something very different at the time It was not the gipsies it
was not Mr Frank Churchill that I meant No with some elevation I was
thinking of a much more precious circumstance of Mr Knightleys coming and
asking me to dance when Mr Elton would not stand up with me and when there
was no other partner in the room That was the kind action that was the noble
benevolence and generosity that was the service which made me begin to feel how
superior he was to every other being upon earth«
»Good God« cried Emma »this has been a most unfortunate most deplorable
mistake What is to be done«
»You would not have encouraged me then if you had understood me At least
however I cannot be worse off than I should have been if the other had been
the person and now it is possible «
She paused a few moments Emma could not speak
»I do not wonder Miss Woodhouse« she resumed »that you should feel a
great difference between the two as to me or as to anybody You must think one
five hundred million times more above me than the other But I hope Miss
Woodhouse that supposing that if strange as it may appear But you know
they were your own words that more wonderful things had happened matches of
greater disparity had taken place than between Mr Frank Churchill and me and
therefore it seems as if such a thing even as this may have occurred before
and if I should be so fortunate beyond expression as to if Mr Knightley
should really if he does not mind the disparity I hope dear Miss Woodhouse
you will not set yourself against it and try to put difficulties in the way
But you are too good for that I am sure«
Harriet was standing at one of the windows Emma turned round to look at her
in consternation and hastily said
»Have you any idea of Mr Knightleys returning your affection«
»Yes« replied Harriet modestly but not fearfully »I must say that I
have«
Emmas eyes were instantly withdrawn and she sat silently meditating in a
fixed attitude for a few minutes A few minutes were sufficient for making her
acquainted with her own heart A mind like hers once opening to suspicion
made rapid progress She touched she admitted she acknowledged the whole
truth Why was it so much worse that Harriet should be in love with Mr
Knightley than with Frank Churchill Why was the evil so dreadfully increased
by Harriets having some hope of a return It darted through her with the speed
of an arrow that Mr Knightley must marry no one but herself
Her own conduct as well as her own heart was before her in the same few
minutes She saw it all with a clearness which had never blessed her before How
improperly had she been acting by Harriet How inconsiderate how indelicate
how irrational how unfeeling had been her conduct What blindness what
madness had led her on It struck her with dreadful force and she was ready to
give it every bad name in the world Some portion of respect for herself
however in spite of all these demerits some concern for her own appearance
and a strong sense of justice by Harriet there would be no need of compassion
to the girl who believed herself loved by Mr Knightley but justice required
that she should not be made unhappy by any coldness now gave Emma the
resolution to sit and endure farther with calmness with even apparent kindness
For her own advantage indeed it was fit that the utmost extent of Harriets
hopes should be enquired into and Harriet had done nothing to forfeit the
regard and interest which had been so voluntarily formed and maintained or to
deserve to be slighted by the person whose counsels had never led her right
Rousing from reflection therefore and subduing her emotion she turned to
Harriet again and in a more inviting accent renewed the conversation for as
to the subject which had first introduced it the wonderful story of Jane
Fairfax that was quite sunk and lost Neither of them thought but of Mr
Knightley and themselves
Harriet who had been standing in no unhappy reverie was yet very glad to
be called from it by the now encouraging manner of such a judge and such a
friend as Miss Woodhouse and only wanted invitation to give the history of her
hopes with great though trembling delight Emmas tremblings as she asked
and as she listened were better concealed than Harriets but they were not
less Her voice was not unsteady but her mind was in all the perturbation that
such a developement of self, such a burst of threatening evil such a confusion
of sudden and perplexing emotions must create She listened with much inward
suffering but with great outward patience to Harriets detail Methodical
or well arranged or very well delivered it could not be expected to be but it
contained when separated from all the feebleness and tautology of the
narration a substance to sink her spirit especially with the corroborating
circumstances which her own memory brought in favour of Mr Knightleys most
improved opinion of Harriet
Harriet had been conscious of a difference in his behaviour ever since those
two decisive dances Emma knew that he had on that occasion found her much
superior to his expectation From that evening or at least from the time of
Miss Woodhouses encouraging her to think of him Harriet had begun to be
sensible of his talking to her much more than he had been used to do and of his
having indeed quite a different manner towards her a manner of kindness and
sweetness Latterly she had been more and more aware of it When they had been
all walking together he had so often come and walked by her and talked so very
delightfully He seemed to want to be acquainted with her Emma knew it to
have been very much the case She had often observed the change to almost the
same extent Harriet repeated expressions of approbation and praise from him
and Emma felt them to be in the closest agreement with what she had known of his
opinion of Harriet He praised her for being without art or affectation for
having simple honest generous feelings She knew that he saw such
recommendations in Harriet he had dwelt on them to her more than once Much
that lived in Harriets memory many little particulars of the notice she had
received from him a look a speech a removal from one chair to another a
compliment implied a preference inferred had been unnoticed because
unsuspected by Emma Circumstances that might swell to half an hours relation
and contained multiplied proofs to her who had seen them had passed undiscerned
by her who now heard them but the two latest occurrences to be mentioned the
two of strongest promise to Harriet were not without some degree of witness
from Emma herself The first was his walking with her apart from the others
in the limewalk at Donwell where they had been walking some time before Emma
came and he had taken pains as she was convinced to draw her from the rest to
himself and at first he had talked to her in a more particular way than he
had ever done before in a very particular way indeed Harriet could not
recall it without a blush He seemed to be almost asking her whether her
affections were engaged But as soon as she Miss Woodhouse appeared likely
to join them he changed the subject and began talking about farming The
second was his having sat talking with her nearly half an hour before Emma came
back from her visit the very last morning of his being at Hartfield though
when he first came in he had said that he could not stay five minutes and his
having told her during their conversation that though he must go to London it
was very much against his inclination that he left home at all which was much
more as Emma felt than he had acknowledged to her The superior degree of
confidence towards Harriet which this one article marked gave her severe pain
On the subject of the first of the two circumstances she did after a
little reflection venture the following question »Might he not Is not it
possible that when enquiring as you thought into the state of your
affections he might be alluding to Mr Martin he might have Mr Martins
interest in view« But Harriet rejected the suspicion with spirit
»Mr Martin No indeed There was not a hint of Mr Martin I hope I know
better now than to care for Mr Martin or to be suspected of it«
When Harriet had closed her evidence she appealed to her dear Miss
Woodhouse to say whether she had not good ground for hope
»I never should have presumed to think of it at first« said she »but for
you You told me to observe him carefully and let his behaviour be the rule of
mine and so I have But now I seem to feel that I may deserve him and that if
he does choose me it will not be any thing so very wonderful«
The bitter feelings occasioned by this speech the many bitter feelings
made the utmost exertion necessary on Emmas side to enable her to say in
reply
»Harriet I will only venture to declare that Mr Knightley is the last man
in the world who would intentionally give any woman the idea of his feeling for
her more than he really does«
Harriet seemed ready to worship her friend for a sentence so satisfactory
and Emma was only saved from raptures and fondness which at that moment would
have been dreadful penance by the sound of her fathers footsteps He was
coming through the hall Harriet was too much agitated to encounter him »She
could not compose herself Mr Woodhouse would be alarmed she had better go«
with most ready encouragement from her friend therefore she passed off
through another door and the moment she was gone this was the spontaneous
burst of Emmas feelings »Oh God that I had never seen her«
The rest of the day the following night were hardly enough for her
thoughts She was bewildered amidst the confusion of all that had rushed on
her within the last few hours Every moment had brought a fresh surprise and
every surprise must be matter of humiliation to her How to understand it all
How to understand the deceptions she had been thus practising on herself and
living under The blunders the blindness of her own head and heart she sat
still she walked about she tried her own room she tried the shrubbery in
every place every posture she perceived that she had acted most weakly that
she had been imposed on by others in a most mortifying degree that she had been
imposing on herself in a degree yet more mortifying that she was wretched and
should probably find this day but the beginning of wretchedness
To understand thoroughly understand her own heart was the first endeavour
To that point went every leisure moment which her fathers claims on her
allowed and every moment of involuntary absence of mind
How long had Mr Knightley been so dear to her as every feeling declared
him now to be When had his influence such influence begun When had he
succeeded to that place in her affection which Frank Churchill had once for a
short period occupied She looked back she compared the two compared them
as they had always stood in her estimation from the time of the latters
becoming known to her and as they must at any time have been compared by her
had it oh had it by any blessed felicity occurred to her to institute the
comparison She saw that there never had been a time when she did not consider
Mr Knightley as infinitely the superior or when his regard for her had not
been infinitely the most dear She saw that in persuading herself in fancying
in acting to the contrary she had been entirely under a delusion totally
ignorant of her own heart and in short that she had never really cared for
Frank Churchill at all
This was the conclusion of the first series of reflection This was the
knowledge of herself on the first question of inquiry which she reached and
without being long in reaching it She was most sorrowfully indignant ashamed
of every sensation but the one revealed to her her affection for Mr
Knightley Every other part of her mind was disgusting
With insufferable vanity had she believed herself in the secret of
everybodys feelings with unpardonable arrogance proposed to arrange
everybodys destiny She was proved to have been universally mistaken and she
had not quite done nothing for she had done mischief She had brought evil on
Harriet on herself and she too much feared on Mr Knightley Were this most
unequal of all connexions to take place on her must rest all the reproach of
having given it a beginning for his attachment she must believe to be produced
only by a consciousness of Harriets and even were this not the case he
would never have known Harriet at all but for her folly
Mr Knightley and Harriet Smith It was an union to distance every wonder
of the kind The attachment of Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax became
commonplace threadbare stale in the comparison exciting no surprise
presenting no disparity affording nothing to be said or thought Mr
Knightley and Harriet Smith Such an elevation on her side Such a debasement
on his It was horrible to Emma to think how it must sink him in the general
opinion to foresee the smiles the sneers the merriment it would prompt at his
expense the mortification and disdain of his brother the thousand
inconveniences to himself Could it be No it was impossible And yet it
was far very far from impossible Was it a new circumstance for a man of
firstrate abilities to be captivated by very inferior powers Was it new for
one perhaps too busy to seek to be the prize of a girl who would seek him
Was it new for any thing in this world to be unequal inconsistent incongruous
or for chance and circumstance as second causes to direct the human fate
Oh had she never brought Harriet forward Had she left her where she ought
and where he had told her she ought Had she not with a folly which no tongue
could express prevented her marrying the unexceptionable young man who would
have made her happy and respectable in the line of life to which she ought to
belong all would have been safe none of this dreadful sequel would have been
How Harriet could ever have had the presumption to raise her thoughts to Mr
Knightley How she could dare to fancy herself the chosen of such a man till
actually assured of it But Harriet was less humble had fewer scruples than
formerly Her inferiority whether of mind or situation seemed little felt
She had seemed more sensible of Mr Eltons being to stoop in marrying her than
she now seemed of Mr Knightleys Alas was not that her own doing too Who
had been at pains to give Harriet notions of self-consequence but herself Who
but herself had taught her that she was to elevate herself if possible and
that her claims were great to a high worldly establishment If Harriet from
being humble were grown vain it was her doing too
Chapter XII
Till now that she was threatened with its loss Emma had never known how much of
her happiness depended on being first with Mr Knightley first in interest and
affection Satisfied that it was so and feeling it her due she had enjoyed
it without reflection and only in the dread of being supplanted found how
inexpressibly important it had been Long very long she felt she had been
first for having no female connexions of his own there had been only Isabella
whose claims could be compared with hers and she had always known exactly how
far he loved and esteemed Isabella She had herself been first with him for many
years past She had not deserved it she had often been negligent or perverse
slighting his advice or even wilfully opposing him insensible of half his
merits and quarrelling with him because he would not acknowledge her false and
insolent estimate of her own but still from family attachment and habit and
thorough excellence of mind he had loved her and watched over her from a girl
with an endeavour to improve her and an anxiety for her doing right which no
other creature had at all shared In spite of all her faults she knew she was
dear to him might she not say very dear When the suggestions of hope
however which must follow here presented themselves she could not presume to
indulge them Harriet Smith might think herself not unworthy of being
peculiarly exclusively passionately loved by Mr Knightley She could not She
could not flatter herself with any idea of blindness in his attachment to her
She had received a very recent proof of its impartiality How shocked had he
been by her behaviour to Miss Bates How directly how strongly had he expressed
himself to her on the subject Not too strongly for the offence but far far
too strongly to issue from any feeling softer than upright justice and
clearsighted good will She had no hope nothing to deserve the name of hope
that he could have that sort of affection for herself which was now in question
but there was a hope at times a slight one at times much stronger that
Harriet might have deceived herself and be overrating his regard for her
Wish it she must for his sake be the consequence nothing to herself but his
remaining single all his life Could she be secure of that indeed of his never
marrying at all she believed she should be perfectly satisfied Let him but
continue the same Mr Knightley to her and her father the same Mr Knightley to
all the world let Donwell and Hartfield lose none of their precious intercourse
of friendship and confidence and her peace would be fully secured Marriage
in fact would not do for her It would be incompatible with what she owed to
her father and with what she felt for him Nothing should separate her from her
father She would not marry even if she were asked by Mr Knightley
It must be her ardent wish that Harriet might be disappointed and she
hoped that when able to see them together again she might at least be able to
ascertain what the chances for it were She should see them henceforward with
the closest observance and wretchedly as she had hitherto misunderstood even
those she was watching she did not know how to admit that she could be blinded
here He was expected back every day The power of observation would be soon
given frightfully soon it appeared when her thoughts were in one course In
the meanwhile she resolved against seeing Harriet It would do neither of
them good it would do the subject no good to be talking of it farther She
was resolved not to be convinced as long as she could doubt and yet had no
authority for opposing Harriets confidence To talk would be only to irritate
She wrote to her therefore kindly but decisively to beg that she would
not at present come to Hartfield acknowledging it to be her conviction that
all farther confidential discussion of one topic had better be avoided and
hoping that if a few days were allowed to pass before they met again except in
the company of others she objected only to a têteàtête they might be able
to act as if they had forgotten the conversation of yesterday Harriet
submitted and approved and was grateful
This point was just arranged when a visitor arrived to tear Emmas thoughts
a little from the one subject which had engrossed them sleeping or waking the
last twentyfour hours Mrs Weston who had been calling on her
daughterinlaw elect and took Hartfield in her way home almost as much in
duty to Emma as in pleasure to herself to relate all the particulars of so
interesting an interview
Mr Weston had accompanied her to Mrs Batess and gone through his share
of this essential attention most handsomely but she having then induced Miss
Fairfax to join her in an airing was now returned with much more to say and
much more to say with satisfaction than a quarter of an hour spent in Mrs
Batess parlour with all the incumbrance of awkward feelings could have
afforded
A little curiosity Emma had and she made the most of it while her friend
related Mrs Weston had set off to pay the visit in a good deal of agitation
herself and in the first place had wished not to go at all at present to be
allowed merely to write to Miss Fairfax instead and to defer this ceremonious
call till a little time had passed and Mr Churchill could be reconciled to the
engagements becoming known as considering every thing she thought such a
visit could not be paid without leading to reports but Mr Weston had thought
differently he was extremely anxious to shew his approbation to Miss Fairfax
and her family and did not conceive that any suspicion could be excited by it
or if it were that it would be of any consequence for such things he
observed always got about Emma smiled and felt that Mr Weston had very good
reason for saying so They had gone in short and very great had been the
evident distress and confusion of the lady She had hardly been able to speak a
word and every look and action had shown how deeply she was suffering from
consciousness. The quiet heartfelt satisfaction of the old lady and the
rapturous delight of her daughter who proved even too joyous to talk as usual
had been a gratifying yet almost an affecting scene They were both so truly
respectable in their happiness so disinterested in every sensation thought so
much of Jane so much of everybody and so little of themselves that every
kindly feeling was at work for them Miss Fairfaxs recent illness had offered a
fair plea for Mrs Weston to invite her to an airing she had drawn back and
declined at first but on being pressed had yielded and in the course of their
drive Mrs Weston had by gentle encouragement overcome so much of her
embarrassment as to bring her to converse on the important subject Apologies
for her seemingly ungracious silence in their first reception and the warmest
expressions of the gratitude she was always feeling towards herself and Mr
Weston must necessarily open the cause but when these effusions were put by
they had talked a good deal of the present and of the future state of the
engagement Mrs Weston was convinced that such conversation must be the
greatest relief to her companion pent up within her own mind as every thing had
so long been and was very much pleased with all that she had said on the
subject
»On the misery of what she had suffered during the concealment of so many
months« continued Mrs Weston »she was energetic This was one of her
expressions I will not say that since I entered into the engagement I have not
had some happy moments but I can say that I have never known the blessing of
one tranquil hour and the quivering lip Emma which uttered it was an
attestation that I felt at my heart«
»Poor girl« said Emma »She thinks herself wrong then for having
consented to a private engagement«
»Wrong No one I believe can blame her more than she is disposed to
blame herself The consequence said she has been a state of perpetual
suffering to me and so it ought But after all the punishment that misconduct
can bring it is still not less misconduct Pain is no expiation I never can be
blameless I have been acting contrary to all my sense of right and the
fortunate turn that every thing has taken and the kindness I am now receiving
is what my conscience tells me ought not to be Do not imagine madam she
continued that I was taught wrong Do not let any reflection fall on the
principles or the care of the friends who brought me up The error has been all
my own and I do assure you that with all the excuse that present circumstances
may appear to give I shall yet dread making the story known to Colonel
Campbell«
»Poor girl« said Emma again »She loves him then excessively I suppose It
must have been from attachment only that she could be led to form the
engagement Her affection must have overpowered her judgment«
»Yes I have no doubt of her being extremely attached to him«
»I am afraid« returned Emma sighing »that I must often have contributed
to make her unhappy«
»On your side my love it was very innocently done But she probably had
something of that in her thoughts when alluding to the misunderstandings which
he had given us hints of before One natural consequence of the evil she had
involved herself in« she said »was that of making her unreasonable The
consciousness of having done amiss had exposed her to a thousand inquietudes
and made her captious and irritable to a degree that must have been that had
been hard for him to bear I did not make the allowances said she which I
ought to have done for his temper and spirits his delightful spirits and
that gaiety that playfulness of disposition which under any other
circumstances would I am sure have been as constantly bewitching to me as
they were at first She then began to speak of you and of the great kindness
you had shown her during her illness and with a blush which showed me how it
was all connected desired me whenever I had an opportunity to thank you I
could not thank you too much for every wish and every endeavour to do her
good She was sensible that you had never received any proper acknowledgment
from herself«
»If I did not know her to be happy now« said Emma seriously »which in
spite of every little drawback from her scrupulous conscience she must be I
could not bear these thanks for oh Mrs Weston if there were an account
drawn up of the evil and the good I have done Miss Fairfax Well checking
herself and trying to be more lively this is all to be forgotten You are
very kind to bring me these interesting particulars They show her to the
greatest advantage I am sure she is very good I hope she will be very happy
It is fit that the fortune should be on his side for I think the merit will be
all on hers«
Such a conclusion could not pass unanswered by Mrs Weston She thought well
of Frank in almost every respect and what was more she loved him very much
and her defence was therefore earnest She talked with a great deal of reason,
and at least equal affection but she had too much to urge for Emmas
attention it was soon gone to Brunswick Square or to Donwell she forgot to
attempt to listen and when Mrs Weston ended with »We have not yet had the
letter we are so anxious for you know but I hope it will soon come« she was
obliged to pause before she answered and at last obliged to answer at random
before she could at all recollect what letter it was which they were so anxious
for
»Are you well my Emma« was Mrs Westons parting question
»Oh perfectly I am always well you know Be sure to give me intelligence
of the letter as soon as possible«
Mrs Westons communications furnished Emma with more food for unpleasant
reflection by increasing her esteem and compassion and her sense of past
injustice towards Miss Fairfax She bitterly regretted not having sought a
closer acquaintance with her and blushed for the envious feelings which had
certainly been in some measure the cause Had she followed Mr Knightleys
known wishes in paying that attention to Miss Fairfax which was every way her
due had she tried to know her better had she done her part towards intimacy
had she endeavoured to find a friend there instead of in Harriet Smith she
must in all probability have been spared from every pain which pressed on her
now Birth abilities and education had been equally marking one as an
associate for her to be received with gratitude and the other what was she
Supposing even that they had never become intimate friends that she had never
been admitted into Miss Fairfaxs confidence on this important matter which
was most probable still in knowing her as she ought and as she might she
must have been preserved from the abominable suspicions of an improper
attachment to Mr Dixon which she had not only so foolishly fashioned and
harboured herself but had so unpardonably imparted an idea which she greatly
feared had been made a subject of material distress to the delicacy of Janes
feelings by the levity or carelessness of Frank Churchills Of all the sources
of evil surrounding the former, since her coming to Highbury she was persuaded
that she must herself have been the worst She must have been a perpetual enemy
They never could have been all three together without her having stabbed Jane
Fairfaxs peace in a thousand instances and on Box Hill perhaps it had been
the agony of a mind that would bear no more
The evening of this day was very long and melancholy at Hartfield The
weather added what it could of gloom A cold stormy rain set in and nothing of
July appeared but in the trees and shrubs which the wind was despoiling and
the length of the day which only made such cruel sights the longer visible
The weather affected Mr Woodhouse and he could only be kept tolerably
comfortable by almost ceaseless attention on his daughters side and by
exertions which had never cost her half so much before It reminded her of their
first forlorn têteátête on the evening of Mrs Westons weddingday but Mr
Knightley had walked in then soon after tea and dissipated every melancholy
fancy Alas such delightful proofs of Hartfields attraction as those sort of
visits conveyed might shortly be over The picture which she had then drawn of
the privations of the approaching winter had proved erroneous no friends had
deserted them no pleasures had been lost But her present forebodings she
feared would experience no similar contradiction The prospect before her now
was threatening to a degree that could not be entirely dispelled that might
not be even partially brightened If all took place that might take place among
the circle of her friends Hartfield must be comparatively deserted and she
left to cheer her father with the spirits only of ruined happiness
The child to be born at Randalls must be a tie there even dearer than
herself and Mrs Westons heart and time would be occupied by it They should
lose her and probably in great measure her husband also Frank Churchill
would return among them no more and Miss Fairfax it was reasonable to suppose
would soon cease to belong to Highbury They would be married and settled
either at or near Enscombe All that were good would be withdrawn and if to
these losses the loss of Donwell were to be added what would remain of
cheerful or of rational society within their reach Mr Knightley to be no
longer coming there for his evening comfort No longer walking in at all
hours as if ever willing to change his own home for theirs How was it to be
endured And if he were to be lost to them for Harriets sake if he were to be
thought of hereafter as finding in Harriets society all that he wanted if
Harriet were to be the chosen the first the dearest the friend the wife to
whom he looked for all the best blessings of existence what could be increasing
Emmas wretchedness but the reflection never far distant from her mind that it
had been all her own work
When it came to such a pitch as this she was not able to refrain from a
start or a heavy sigh or even from walking about the room for a few seconds
and the only source whence any thing like consolation or composure could be
drawn was in the resolution of her own better conduct and the hope that
however inferior in spirit and gaiety might be the following and every future
winter of her life to the past it would yet find her more rational more
acquainted with herself and leave her less to regret when it were gone
Chapter XIII
The weather continued much the same all the following morning and the same
loneliness and the same melancholy seemed to reign at Hartfield but in the
afternoon it cleared the wind changed into a softer quarter the clouds were
carried off the sun appeared it was summer again With all the eagerness which
such a transition gives Emma resolved to be out of doors as soon as possible
Never had the exquisite sight smell sensation of nature, tranquil warm and
brilliant after a storm been more attractive to her She longed for the
serenity they might gradually introduce and on Mr Perrys coming in soon after
dinner with a disengaged hour to give her father she lost no time in hurrying
into the shrubbery There with spirits freshened and thoughts a little
relieved she had taken a few turns when she saw Mr Knightley passing through
the garden door and coming towards her It was the first intimation of his
being returned from London She had been thinking of him the moment before as
unquestionably sixteen miles distant There was time only for the quickest
arrangement of mind She must be collected and calm In half a minute they were
together The How dye dos were quiet and constrained on each side She asked
after their mutual friends they were all well When had he left them Only
that morning He must have had a wet ride Yes He meant to walk with her
she found »He had just looked into the diningroom and as he was not wanted
there preferred being out of doors« She thought he neither looked nor spoke
cheerfully and the first possible cause for it suggested by her fears was
that he had perhaps been communicating his plans to his brother and was pained
by the manner in which they had been received
They walked together He was silent She thought he was often looking at
her and trying for a fuller view of her face than it suited her to give And
this belief produced another dread Perhaps he wanted to speak to her of his
attachment to Harriet he might be watching for encouragement to begin She
did not could not feel equal to lead the way to any such subject He must do
it all himself Yet she could not bear this silence With him it was most
unnatural She considered resolved and trying to smile began
»You have some news to hear now you are come back that will rather
surprise you«
»Have I« said he quietly and looking at her »of what nature«
»Oh the best nature in the world a wedding«
After waiting a moment as if to be sure she intended to say no more he
replied
»If you mean Miss Fairfax and Frank Churchill I have heard that already«
»How is it possible« cried Emma turning her glowing cheeks towards him
for while she spoke it occurred to her that he might have called at Mrs
Goddards in his way
»I had a few lines on parish business from Mr Weston this morning and at
the end of them he gave me a brief account of what had happened«
Emma was quite relieved and could presently say with a little more
composure
»You probably have been less surprised than any of us for you have had your
suspicions I have not forgotten that you once tried to give me a caution I
wish I had attended to it but with a sinking voice and a heavy sigh I seem
to have been doomed to blindness«
For a moment or two nothing was said and she was unsuspicious of having
excited any particular interest till she found her arm drawn within his and
pressed against his heart and heard him thus saying in a tone of great
sensibility speaking low
»Time my dearest Emma time will heal the wound Your own excellent sense
your exertions for your fathers sake I know you will not allow yourself «
Her arm was pressed again as he added in a more broken and subdued accent
»The feelings of the warmest friendship Indignation Abominable scoundrel«
And in a louder steadier tone he concluded with »He will soon be gone They
will soon be in Yorkshire I am sorry for her She deserves a better fate«
Emma understood him and as soon as she could recover from the flutter of
pleasure excited by such tender consideration replied
»You are very kind but you are mistaken and I must set you right I am
not in want of that sort of compassion My blindness to what was going on led
me to act by them in a way that I must always be ashamed of and I was very
foolishly tempted to say and do many things which may well lay me open to
unpleasant conjectures but I have no other reason to regret that I was not in
the secret earlier«
»Emma« cried he looking eagerly at her »are you indeed« but checking
himself »No no I understand you forgive me I am pleased that you can say
even so much He is no object of regret indeed and it will not be very long
I hope before that becomes the acknowledgment of more than your reason
Fortunate that your affections were not farther entangled I could never I
confess from your manners assure myself as to the degree of what you felt I
could only be certain that there was a preference and a preference which I
never believed him to deserve He is a disgrace to the name of man And is
he to be rewarded with that sweet young woman Jane Jane you will be a
miserable creature«
»Mr Knightley« said Emma trying to be lively but really confused »I am
in a very extraordinary situation I cannot let you continue in your error and
yet perhaps since my manners gave such an impression I have as much reason to
be ashamed of confessing that I never have been at all attached to the person we
are speaking of as it might be natural for a woman to feel in confessing
exactly the reverse But I never have«
He listened in perfect silence She wished him to speak but he would not
She supposed she must say more before she were entitled to his clemency but it
was a hard case to be obliged still to lower herself in his opinion She went
on however
»I have very little to say for my own conduct I was tempted by his
attentions and allowed myself to appear pleased An old story probably a
common case and no more than has happened to hundreds of my sex before and
yet it may not be the more excusable in one who sets up as I do for
Understanding Many circumstances assisted the temptation He was the son of Mr
Weston he was continually here I always found him very pleasant and in
short for with a sigh let me swell out the causes ever so ingeniously they
all centre in this at last my vanity was flattered and I allowed his
attentions Latterly however for some time indeed I have had no idea of
their meaning any thing. I thought them a habit a trick nothing that called
for seriousness on my side He has imposed on me but he has not injured me I
have never been attached to him And now I can tolerably comprehend his
behaviour He never wished to attach me It was merely a blind to conceal his
real situation with another It was his object to blind all about him and no
one I am sure could be more effectually blinded than myself except that I
was not blinded that it was my good fortune that in short I was somehow or
other safe from him«
She had hoped for an answer here for a few words to say that her conduct
was at least intelligible but he was silent and as far as she could judge
deep in thought At last and tolerably in his usual tone he said
»I have never had a high opinion of Frank Churchill I can suppose
however that I may have underrated him My acquaintance with him has been but
trifling And even if I have not underrated him hitherto he may yet turn out
well With such a woman he has a chance I have no motive for wishing him
ill and for her sake whose happiness will be involved in his good character
and conduct I shall certainly wish him well«
»I have no doubt of their being happy together« said Emma »I believe them
to be very mutually and very sincerely attached«
»He is a most fortunate man« returned Mr Knightley with energy »So early
in life at three and twenty a period when if a man chooses a wife he
generally chooses ill At three and twenty to have drawn such a prize What
years of felicity that man in all human calculation has before him Assured
of the love of such a woman the disinterested love for Jane Fairfaxs
character vouches for her disinterestedness every thing in his favour
equality of situation I mean as far as regards society and all the habits
and manners that are important equality in every point but one and that one
since the purity of her heart is not to be doubted such as must increase his
felicity for it will be his to bestow the only advantages she wants A man
would always wish to give a woman a better home than the one he takes her from
and he who can do it where there is no doubt of her regard must I think be
the happiest of mortals Frank Churchill is indeed the favourite of fortune
Every thing turns out for his good He meets with a young woman at a
wateringplace gains her affection cannot even weary her by negligent
treatment and had he and all his family sought round the world for a perfect
wife for him they could not have found her superior His aunt is in the way
His aunt dies He has only to speak His friends are eager to promote his
happiness He has used every body ill and they are all delighted to forgive
him He is a fortunate man indeed«
»You speak as if you envied him«
»And I do envy him Emma In one respect he is the object of my envy«
Emma could say no more They seemed to be within half a sentence of Harriet
and her immediate feeling was to avert the subject if possible She made her
plan she would speak of something totally different the children in Brunswick
Square and she only waited for breath to begin when Mr Knightley startled
her by saying
»You will not ask me what is the point of envy You are determined I see
to have no curiosity You are wise but I cannot be wise Emma I must tell
what you will not ask though I may wish it unsaid the next moment«
»Oh then dont speak it dont speak it« she eagerly cried »Take a
little time consider do not commit yourself«
»Thank you« said he in an accent of deep mortification and not another
syllable followed
Emma could not bear to give him pain He was wishing to confide in her
perhaps to consult her cost her what it would she would listen She might
assist his resolution or reconcile him to it she might give just praise to
Harriet or by representing to him his own independence relieve him from that
state of indecision which must be more intolerable than any alternative to such
a mind as his They had reached the house
»You are going in I suppose« said he
»No« replied Emma quite confirmed by the depressed manner in which he
still spoke »I should like to take another turn Mr Perry is not gone« And
after proceeding a few steps she added »I stopped you ungraciously just now
Mr Knightley and I am afraid gave you pain But if you have any wish to
speak openly to me as a friend or to ask my opinion of any thing that you may
have in contemplation as a friend indeed you may command me I will hear
whatever you like I will tell you exactly what I think«
»As a friend« repeated Mr Knightley »Emma that I fear is a word
No I have no wish Stay yes why should I hesitate I have gone too far
already for concealment Emma I accept your offer Extraordinary as it may
seem I accept it and refer myself to you as a friend Tell me then have I
no chance of ever succeeding«
He stopped in his earnestness to look the question and the expression of
his eyes overpowered her
»My dearest Emma« said he »for dearest you will always be whatever the
event of this hours conversation my dearest most beloved Emma tell me at
once Say No if it is to be said« She could really say nothing »You are
silent« he cried with great animation »absolutely silent at present I ask no
more«
Emma was almost ready to sink under the agitation of this moment The dread
of being awakened from the happiest dream was perhaps the most prominent
feeling
»I cannot make speeches Emma« he soon resumed and in a tone of such
sincere decided intelligible tenderness as was tolerably convincing »If I
loved you less I might be able to talk about it more But you know what I am
You hear nothing but truth from me I have blamed you and lectured you and
you have borne it as no other woman in England would have borne it Bear with
the truths I would tell you now dearest Emma as well as you have borne with
them The manner perhaps may have as little to recommend them God knows I
have been a very indifferent lover But you understand me Yes you see you
understand my feelings and will return them if you can At present I ask only
to hear once to hear your voice«
While he spoke Emmas mind was most busy and with all the wonderful
velocity of thought had been able and yet without losing a word to catch
and comprehend the exact truth of the whole to see that Harriets hopes had
been entirely groundless a mistake a delusion as complete a delusion as any
of her own that Harriet was nothing that she was every thing herself that
what she had been saying relative to Harriet had been all taken as the language
of her own feelings and that her agitation her doubts her reluctance her
discouragement had been all received as discouragement from herself And not
only was there time for these convictions with all their glow of attendant
happiness there was time also to rejoice that Harriets secret had not escaped
her and to resolve that it need not and should not It was all the service
she could now render her poor friend for as to any of that heroism of sentiment
which might have prompted her to entreat him to transfer his affection from
herself to Harriet as infinitely the most worthy of the two or even the more
simple sublimity of resolving to refuse him at once and for ever without
vouchsafing any motive because he could not marry them both Emma had it not
She felt for Harriet with pain and with contrition but no flight of generosity
run mad opposing all that could be probable or reasonable entered her brain
She had led her friend astray and it would be a reproach to her for ever but
her judgment was as strong as her feelings and as strong as it had ever been
before in reprobating any such alliance for him as most unequal and degrading
Her way was clear though not quite smooth She spoke then on being so
entreated What did she say Just what she ought of course A lady always
does She said enough to show there need not be despair and to invite him to
say more himself He had despaired at one period he had received such an
injunction to caution and silence as for the time crushed every hope she had
begun by refusing to hear him The change had perhaps been somewhat sudden
her proposal of taking another turn her renewing the conversation which she had
just put an end to might be a little extraordinary She felt its
inconsistency but Mr Knightley was so obliging as to put up with it and seek
no farther explanation
Seldom very seldom does complete truth belong to any human disclosure
seldom can it happen that something is not a little disguised or a little
mistaken but where as in this case though the conduct is mistaken the
feelings are not it may not be very material Mr Knightley could not impute
to Emma a more relenting heart than she possessed or a heart more disposed to
accept of his
He had in fact been wholly unsuspicious of his own influence He had
followed her into the shrubbery with no idea of trying it He had come in his
anxiety to see how she bore Frank Churchills engagement with no selfish view
no view at all but of endeavouring if she allowed him an opening to soothe or
to counsel her The rest had been the work of the moment the immediate effect
of what he heard on his feelings The delightful assurance of her total
indifference towards Frank Churchill of her having a heart completely
disengaged from him had given birth to the hope that in time he might gain
her affection himself but it had been no present hope he had only in the
momentary conquest of eagerness over judgment aspired to be told that she did
not forbid his attempt to attach her The superior hopes which gradually
opened were so much the more enchanting The affection which he had been
asking to be allowed to create if he could was already his Within half an
hour he had passed from a thoroughly distressed state of mind to something so
like perfect happiness that it could bear no other name
Her change was equal This one half hour had given to each the same
precious certainty of being beloved had cleared from each the same degree of
ignorance jealousy or distrust On his side there had been a longstanding
jealousy old as the arrival or even the expectation of Frank Churchill He
had been in love with Emma and jealous of Frank Churchill from about the same
period one sentiment having probably enlightened him as to the other It was
his jealousy of Frank Churchill that had taken him from the country The
BoxHill party had decided him on going away He would save himself from
witnessing again such permitted encouraged attentions He had gone to learn
to be indifferent But he had gone to a wrong place There was too much
domestic happiness in his brothers house woman wore too amiable a form in it
Isabella was too much like Emma differing only in those striking
inferiorities which always brought the other in brilliancy before him for much
to have been done even had his time been longer He had staid on however
vigorously day after day till this very mornings post had conveyed the
history of Jane Fairfax Then with the gladness which must be felt nay
which he did not scruple to feel having never believed Frank Churchill to be at
all deserving Emma was there so much fond solicitude so much keen anxiety for
her that he could stay no longer He had ridden home through the rain and had
walked up directly after dinner to see how this sweetest and best of all
creatures faultless in spite of all her faults bore the discovery
He had found her agitated and low Frank Churchill was a villain He
heard her declare that she had never loved him Frank Churchills character was
not desperate She was his own Emma by hand and word when they returned into
the house and if he could have thought of Frank Churchill then he might have
deemed him a very good sort of fellow
Chapter XIV
What totally different feelings did Emma take back into the house from what she
had brought out she had then been only daring to hope for a little respite of
suffering she was now in an exquisite flutter of happiness and such
happiness moreover as she believed must still be greater when the flutter should
have passed away
They sat down to tea the same party round the same table how often it
had been collected and how often had her eyes fallen on the same shrubs in
the lawn and observed the same beautiful effect of the western sun But never
in such a state of spirits never in anything like it and it was with
difficulty that she could summon enough of her usual self to be the attentive
lady of the house or even the attentive daughter
Poor Mr Woodhouse little suspected what was plotting against him in the
breast of that man whom he was so cordially welcoming and so anxiously hoping
might not have taken cold from his ride Could he have seen the heart he
would have cared very little for the lungs but without the most distant
imagination of the impending evil without the slightest perception of anything
extraordinary in the looks or ways of either he repeated to them very
comfortably all the articles of news he had received from Mr Perry and talked
on with much selfcontentment totally unsuspicious of what they could have told
him in return
As long as Mr Knightley remained with them Emmas fever continued but
when he was gone she began to be a little tranquillized and subdued and in
the course of the sleepless night which was the tax for such an evening she
found one or two such very serious points to consider as made her feel that
even her happiness must have some alloy Her father and Harriet She could not
be alone without feeling the full weight of their separate claims and how to
guard the comfort of both to the utmost was the question With respect to her
father it was a question soon answered She hardly knew yet what Mr Knightley
would ask but a very short parley with her own heart produced the most solemn
resolution of never quitting her father She even wept over the idea of it as
a sin of thought While he lived it must be only an engagement but she
flattered herself that if divested of the danger of drawing her away it might
become an increase of comfort to him How to do her best by Harriet was of
more difficult decision how to spare her from any unnecessary pain how to
make her any possible atonement how to appear least her enemy On these
subjects her perplexity and distress were very great and her mind had to pass
again and again through every bitter reproach and sorrowful regret that had ever
surrounded it She could only resolve at last that she would still avoid a
meeting with her and communicate all that need be told by letter that it would
be inexpressibly desirable to have her removed just now for a time from
Highbury and indulging in one scheme more nearly resolve that it might be
practicable to get an invitation for her to Brunswick Square Isabella had
been pleased with Harriet and a few weeks spent in London must give her some
amusement She did not think it in Harriets nature to escape being benefited
by novelty and variety by the streets the shops and the children At any
rate it would be a proof of attention and kindness in herself from whom every
thing was due a separation for the present an averting of the evil day when
they must all be together again
She rose early and wrote her letter to Harriet an employment which left
her so very serious so nearly sad that Mr Knightley in walking up to
Hartfield to breakfast did not arrive at all too soon and half an hour stolen
afterwards to go over the same ground again with him literally and
figuratively was quite necessary to reinstate her in a proper share of the
happiness of the evening before
He had not left her long by no means long enough for her to have the
slightest inclination for thinking of anybody else when a letter was brought
her from Randalls a very thick letter she guessed what it must contain
and deprecated the necessity of reading it She was now in perfect charity
with Frank Churchill she wanted no explanations she wanted only to have her
thoughts to herself and as for understanding any thing he wrote she was sure
she was incapable of it It must be waded through however She opened the
packet it was too surely so a note from Mrs Weston to herself ushered in
the letter from Frank to Mrs Weston
»I have the greatest pleasure my dear Emma in forwarding to you the
enclosed I know what thorough justice you will do it and have scarcely
a doubt of its happy effect I think we shall never materially
disagree about the writer again but I will not delay you by a long
preface We are quite well This letter has been the cure of all the
little nervousness I have been feeling lately I did not quite like
your looks on Tuesday but it was an ungenial morning and though you
will never own being affected by weather I think every body feels a
northeast wind I felt for your dear father very much in the storm of
Tuesday afternoon and yesterday morning but had the comfort of hearing
last night by Mr Perry that it had not made him ill
Yours ever
A W«
To Mrs Weston
WindsorJuly
My dear Madam
»If I made myself intelligible yesterday this letter will be
expected but expected or not I know it will be read with candour and
indulgence You are all goodness and I believe there will be need of
even all your goodness to allow for some parts of my past conduct But
I have been forgiven by one who had still more to resent My courage
rises while I write It is very difficult for the prosperous to be
humble I have already met with such success in two applications for
pardon that I may be in danger of thinking myself too sure of yours
and of those among your friends who have had any ground of offence
You must all endeavour to comprehend the exact nature of my situation
when I first arrived at Randalls you must consider me as having a
secret which was to be kept at all hazards This was the fact My right
to place myself in a situation requiring such concealment is another
question I shall not discuss it here For my temptation to think it a
right I refer every caviller to a brick house sashed windows below
and casements above in Highbury I dared not address her openly my
difficulties in the then state of Enscombe must be too well known to
require definition and I was fortunate enough to prevail before we
parted at Weymouth and to induce the most upright female mind in the
creation to stoop in charity to a secret engagement Had she refused
I should have gone mad But you will be ready to say what was your
hope in doing this What did you look forward to To any thing,
every thing to time chance circumstance slow effects sudden
bursts perseverance and weariness health and sickness Every
possibility of good was before me and the first of blessings secured
in obtaining her promises of faith and correspondence If you need
farther explanation I have the honour my dear madam of being your
husbands son and the advantage of inheriting a disposition to hope for
good which no inheritance of houses or lands can ever equal the value
of See me then under these circumstances arriving on my first
visit to Randalls and here I am conscious of wrong for that visit
might have been sooner paid You will look back and see that I did not
come till Miss Fairfax was in Highbury and as you were the person
slighted you will forgive me instantly but I must work on my fathers
compassion by reminding him that so long as I absented myself from his
house so long I lost the blessing of knowing you My behaviour during
the very happy fortnight which I spent with you did not I hope lay me
open to reprehension excepting on one point And now I come to the
principal the only important part of my conduct while belonging to you
which excites my own anxiety or requires very solicitous explanation
With the greatest respect and the warmest friendship do I mention Miss
Woodhouse my father perhaps will think I ought to add with the deepest
humiliation A few words which dropped from him yesterday spoke his
opinion and some censure I acknowledge myself liable to My behaviour
to Miss Woodhouse indicated I believe more than it ought In order
to assist a concealment so essential to me I was led on to make more
than an allowable use of the sort of intimacy into which we were
immediately thrown I cannot deny that Miss Woodhouse was my
ostensible object but I am sure you will believe the declaration that
had I not been convinced of her indifference I would not have been
induced by any selfish views to go on Amiable and delightful as Miss
Woodhouse is she never gave me the idea of a young woman likely to be
attached and that she was perfectly free from any tendency to being
attached to me was as much my conviction as my wish She received my
attentions with an easy friendly goodhumoured playfulness which
exactly suited me We seemed to understand each other From our relative
situation those attentions were her due and were felt to be so
Whether Miss Woodhouse began really to understand me before the
expiration of that fortnight I cannot say when I called to take
leave of her I remember that I was within a moment of confessing the
truth and I then fancied she was not without suspicion but I have no
doubt of her having since detected me at least in some degree She
may not have surmised the whole but her quickness must have penetrated
a part I cannot doubt it You will find whenever the subject becomes
freed from its present restraints that it did not take her wholly by
surprise She frequently gave me hints of it I remember her telling me
at the ball that I owed Mrs Elton gratitude for her attentions to Miss
Fairfax I hope this history of my conduct towards her will be
admitted by you and my father as great extenuation of what you saw
amiss While you considered me as having sinned against Emma Woodhouse
I could deserve nothing from either Acquit me here and procure for me
when it is allowable the acquittal and good wishes of that said Emma
Woodhouse whom I regard with so much brotherly affection as to long to
have her as deeply and as happily in love as myself Whatever strange
things I said or did during that fortnight you have now a key to My
heart was in Highbury and my business was to get my body thither as
often as might be and with the least suspicion If you remember any
queernesses set them all to the right account Of the pianoforté so
much talked of I feel it only necessary to say that its being ordered
was absolutely unknown to Miss F who would never have allowed me to
send it had any choice been given her The delicacy of her mind
throughout the whole engagement my dear madam is much beyond my power
of doing justice to You will soon I earnestly hope know her
thoroughly yourself No description can describe her She must tell
you herself what she is yet not by word for never was there a human
creature who would so designedly suppress her own merit Since I began
this letter which will be longer than I foresaw I have heard from her
She gives a good account of her own health but as she never
complains I dare not depend I want to have your opinion of her looks
I know you will soon call on her she is living in dread of the visit
Perhaps it is paid already Let me hear from you without delay I am
impatient for a thousand particulars Remember how few minutes I was at
Randalls and in how bewildered how mad a state and I am not much
better yet still insane either from happiness or misery When I think
of the kindness and favour I have met with of her excellence and
patience and my uncles generosity I am mad with joy but when I
recollect all the uneasiness I occasioned her and how little I deserve
to be forgiven I am mad with anger If I could but see her again But
I must not propose it yet My uncle has been too good for me to
encroach I must still add to this long letter You have not heard all
that you ought to hear I could not give any connected detail yesterday
but the suddenness and in one light the unseasonableness with which
the affair burst out needs explanation for though the event of the
26th ult as you will conclude immediately opened to me the happiest
prospects I should not have presumed on such early measures but from
the very particular circumstances which left me not an hour to lose I
should myself have shrunk from any thing so hasty and she would have
felt every scruple of mine with multiplied strength and refinement
But I had no choice The hasty engagement she had entered into with that
woman Here my dear madam I was obliged to leave off abruptly to
recollect and compose myself I have been walking over the country
and am now I hope rational enough to make the rest of my letter what
it ought to be It is in fact a most mortifying retrospect for me I
behaved shamefully And here I can admit that my manners to Miss W in
being unpleasant to Miss F were highly blamable She disapproved them
which ought to have been enough My plea of concealing the truth she
did not think sufficient She was displeased I thought unreasonably
so I thought her on a thousand occasions unnecessarily scrupulous and
cautious I thought her even cold But she was always right If I had
followed her judgment and subdued my spirits to the level of what she
deemed proper I should have escaped the greatest unhappiness I have
ever known We quarrelled Do you remember the morning spent at
Donwell There every little dissatisfaction that had occurred before
came to a crisis I was late I met her walking home by herself and
wanted to walk with her but she would not suffer it She absolutely
refused to allow me which I then thought most unreasonable Now
however I see nothing in it but a very natural and consistent degree of
discretion While I to blind the world to our engagement was behaving
one hour with objectionable particularity to another woman was she to
be consenting the next to a proposal which might have made every
previous caution useless Had we been met walking together between
Donwell and Highbury the truth must have been suspected I was mad
enough however to resent I doubted her affection I doubted it more
the next day on BoxHill when provoked by such conduct on my side
such shameful insolent neglect of her and such apparent devotion to
Miss W as it would have been impossible for any woman of sense to
endure she spoke her resentment in a form of words perfectly
intelligible to me In short my dear madam it was a quarrel
blameless on her side abominable on mine and I returned the same
evening to Richmond though I might have staid with you till the next
morning merely because I would be as angry with her as possible Even
then I was not such a fool as not to mean to be reconciled in time but
I was the injured person injured by her coldness and I went away
determined that she should make the first advances I shall always
congratulate myself that you were not of the BoxHill party Had you
witnessed my behaviour there I can hardly suppose you would ever have
thought well of me again Its effect upon her appears in the immediate
resolution it produced as soon as she found I was really gone from
Randalls she closed with the offer of that officious Mrs Elton the
whole system of whose treatment of her by the bye has ever filled me
with indignation and hatred I must not quarrel with a spirit of
forbearance which has been so richly extended towards myself but
otherwise I should loudly protest against the share of it which that
woman has known Jane indeed You will observe that I have not yet
indulged myself in calling her by that name even to you Think then
what I must have endured in hearing it bandied between the Eltons with
all the vulgarity of needless repetition and all the insolence of
imaginary superiority Have patience with me I shall soon have done
She closed with this offer resolving to break with me entirely and
wrote the next day to tell me that we never were to meet again She
felt the engagement to be a source of repentance and misery to each she
dissolved it This letter reached me on the very morning of my poor
aunts death I answered it within an hour but from the confusion of my
mind and the multiplicity of business falling on me at once my answer
instead of being sent with all the many other letters of that day was
locked up in my writingdesk and I trusting that I had written enough
though but a few lines to satisfy her remained without any uneasiness
I was rather disappointed that I did not hear from her again speedily
but I made excuses for her and was too busy and may I add too
cheerful in my views to be captious We removed to Windsor and two
days afterwards I received a parcel from her my own letters all
returned and a few lines at the same time by the post stating her
extreme surprise at not having had the smallest reply to her last and
adding that as silence on such a point could not be misconstrued and
as it must be equally desirable to both to have every subordinate
arrangement concluded as soon as possible she now sent me by a safe
conveyance all my letters and requested that if I could not directly
command hers so as to send them to Highbury within a week I would
forward them after that period to her at in short the full
direction to Mr Smallridges near Bristol stared me in the face I
knew the name the place I knew all about it and instantly saw what
she had been doing It was perfectly accordant with that resolution of
character which I knew her to possess and the secrecy she had
maintained as to any such design in her former letter was equally
descriptive of its anxious delicacy For the world would not she have
seemed to threaten me Imagine the shock imagine how till I had
actually detected my own blunder I raved at the blunders of the post
What was to be done One thing only I must speak to my uncle
Without his sanction I could not hope to be listened to again I
spoke circumstances were in my favour the late event had softened away
his pride and he was earlier than I could have anticipated wholly
reconciled and complying and could say at last poor man with a deep
sigh that he wished I might find as much happiness in the marriage
state as he had done I felt that it would be of a different sort
Are you disposed to pity me for what I must have suffered in opening the
cause to him for my suspense while all was at stake No do not pity
me till I reached Highbury and saw how ill I had made her Do not pity
me till I saw her wan sick looks I reached Highbury at the time of
day when from my knowledge of their late breakfast hour I was certain
of a good chance of finding her alone I was not disappointed and at
last I was not disappointed either in the object of my journey A great
deal of very reasonable very just displeasure I had to persuade away
But it is done we are reconciled dearer much dearer than ever and
no moments uneasiness can ever occur between us again Now my dear
madam I will release you but I could not conclude before A thousand
and a thousand thanks for all the kindness you have ever shown me and
ten thousand for the attentions your heart will dictate towards her
If you think me in a way to be happier than I deserve I am quite of
your opinion Miss W calls me the child of good fortune I hope she
is right In one respect my good fortune is undoubted that of being
able to subscribe myself
Your obliged and affectionate Son
F C WESTON CHURCHILL«
Chapter XV
This letter must make its way to Emmas feelings She was obliged in spite of
her previous determination to the contrary to do it all the justice that Mrs
Weston foretold As soon as she came to her own name it was irresistible every
line relating to herself was interesting and almost every line agreeable and
when this charm ceased the subject could still maintain itself by the natural
return of her former regard for the writer and the very strong attraction which
any picture of love must have for her at that moment She never stopt till she
had gone through the whole and though it was impossible not to feel that he had
been wrong yet he had been less wrong than she had supposed and he had
suffered and was very sorry and he was so grateful to Mrs Weston and so
much in love with Miss Fairfax and she was so happy herself that there was no
being severe and could he have entered the room she must have shaken hands
with him as heartily as ever
She thought so well of the letter that when Mr Knightley came again she
desired him to read it She was sure of Mrs Westons wishing it to be
communicated especially to one who like Mr Knightley had seen so much to
blame in his conduct
»I shall be very glad to look it over« said he »but it seems long I will
take it home with me at night«
But that would not do Mr Weston was to call in the evening and she must
return it by him
»I would rather be talking to you« he replied »but as it seems a matter of
justice it shall be done«
He began stopping however almost directly to say »Had I been offered
the sight of one of this gentlemans letters to his motherinlaw a few months
ago Emma it would not have been taken with such indifference«
He proceeded a little farther reading to himself and then with a smile
observed »Humph a fine complimentary opening But it is his way One mans
style must not be the rule of anothers We will not be severe«
»It will be natural for me« he added shortly afterwards »to speak my
opinion aloud as I read By doing it I shall feel that I am near you It will
not be so great a loss of time but if you dislike it «
»Not at all I should wish it«
Mr Knightley returned to his reading with greater alacrity
»He trifles here« said he »as to the temptation He knows he is wrong and
has nothing rational to urge Bad He ought not to have formed the
engagement His fathers disposition he is unjust however to his father
Mr Westons sanguine temper was a blessing on all his upright and honourable
exertions but Mr Weston earned every present comfort before he endeavoured to
gain it Very true he did not come till Miss Fairfax was here«
»And I have not forgotten« said Emma »how sure you were that he might have
come sooner if he would You pass it over very handsomely but you were
perfectly right«
»I was not quite impartial in my judgment Emma but yet I think had
you not been in the case I should still have distrusted him«
When he came to Miss Woodhouse he was obliged to read the whole of it aloud
all that related to her with a smile a look a shake of the head a word or
two of assent or disapprobation or merely of love as the subject required
concluding however seriously and after steady reflection thus
»Very bad though it might have been worse Playing a most dangerous
game Too much indebted to the event for his acquittal No judge of his own
manners by you Always deceived in fact by his own wishes and regardless of
little besides his own convenience Fancying you to have fathomed his secret
Natural enough his own mind full of intrigue that he should suspect it in
others Mystery Finesse how they pervert the understanding! My Emma does
not every thing serve to prove more and more the beauty of truth and sincerity
in all our dealings with each other«
Emma agreed to it and with a blush of sensibility on Harriets account
which she could not give any sincere explanation of
»You had better go on« said she
He did so but very soon stopt again to say »the pianoforte Ah That was
the act of a very very young man one too young to consider whether the
inconvenience of it might not very much exceed the pleasure A boyish scheme
indeed I cannot comprehend a mans wishing to give a woman any proof of
affection which he knows she would rather dispense with and he did know that
she would have prevented the instruments coming if she could«
After this he made some progress without any pause Frank Churchills
confession of having behaved shamefully was the first thing to call for more
than a word in passing
»I perfectly agree with you sir« was then his remark »You did behave
very shamefully You never wrote a truer line« And having gone through what
immediately followed of the basis of their disagreement and his persisting to
act in direct opposition to Jane Fairfaxs sense of right he made a fuller
pause to say »This is very bad He had induced her to place herself for his
sake in a situation of extreme difficulty and uneasiness and it should have
been his first object to prevent her from suffering unnecessarily She must
have had much more to contend with in carrying on the correspondence than he
could He should have respected even unreasonable scruples had there been such
but hers were all reasonable We must look to her one fault and remember that
she had done a wrong thing in consenting to the engagement to bear that she
should have been in such a state of punishment«
Emma knew that he was now getting to the BoxHill party and grew
uncomfortable Her own behaviour had been so very improper She was deeply
ashamed and a little afraid of his next look It was all read however
steadily attentively and without the smallest remark and excepting one
momentary glance at her instantly withdrawn in the fear of giving pain no
remembrance of BoxHill seemed to exist.
»There is no saying much for the delicacy of our good friends the Eltons«
was his next observation »His feelings are natural What actually resolve
to break with him entirely She felt the engagement to be a source of
repentance and misery to each she dissolved it What a view this gives of
her sense of his behaviour Well he must be a most extraordinary «
»Nay nay read on You will find how very much he suffers«
»I hope he does« replied Mr Knightley coolly and resuming the letter
»Smallridge What does this mean What is all this«
»She had engaged to go as governess to Mrs Smallridges children a dear
friend of Mrs Eltons a neighbour of Maple Grove and by the bye I wonder
how Mrs Elton bears the disappointment«
»Say nothing my dear Emma while you oblige me to read not even of Mrs
Elton Only one page more I shall soon have done What a letter the man
writes«
»I wish you would read it with a kinder spirit towards him«
»Well there is feeling here He does seem to have suffered in finding her
ill Certainly I can have no doubt of his being fond of her Dearer much
dearer than ever I hope he may long continue to feel all the value of such a
reconciliation He is a very liberal thanker with his thousands and tens of
thousands Happier than I deserve Come he knows himself there Miss
Woodhouse calls me the child of good fortune Those were Miss Woodhouses
words were they And a fine ending and there is the letter The child of
good fortune That was your name for him was it«
»You do not appear so well satisfied with his letter as I am but still you
must at least I hope you must think the better of him for it I hope it does
him some service with you«
»Yes certainly it does He has had great faults faults of inconsideration
and thoughtlessness and I am very much of his opinion in thinking him likely to
be happier than he deserves but still as he is beyond a doubt really attached
to Miss Fairfax and will soon it may be hoped have the advantage of being
constantly with her I am very ready to believe his character will improve and
acquire from hers the steadiness and delicacy of principle that it wants And
now let me talk to you of something else I have another persons interest at
present so much at heart that I cannot think any longer about Frank Churchill
Ever since I left you this morning Emma my mind has been hard at work on one
subject«
The subject followed it was in plain unaffected gentlemanlike English
such as Mr Knightley used even to the woman he was in love with how to be able
to ask her to marry him without attacking the happiness of her father Emmas
answer was ready at the first word »While her dear father lived any change of
condition must be impossible for her She could never quit him« Part only of
this answer however was admitted The impossibility of her quitting her
father Mr Knightley felt as strongly as herself but the inadmissibility of
any other change he could not agree to He had been thinking it over most
deeply most intently he had at first hoped to induce Mr Woodhouse to remove
with her to Donwell he had wanted to believe it feasible but his knowledge of
Mr Woodhouse would not suffer him to deceive himself long and now he confessed
his persuasion that such a transplantation would be a risk of her fathers
comfort perhaps even of his life which must not be hazarded Mr Woodhouse
taken from Hartfield No he felt that it ought not to be attempted But the
plan which had arisen on the sacrifice of this he trusted his dearest Emma
would not find in any respect objectionable it was that he should be received
at Hartfield that so long as her fathers happiness in other words his life
required Hartfield to continue her home it should be his likewise
Of their all removing to Donwell Emma had already had her own passing
thoughts Like him she had tried the scheme and rejected it but such an
alternative as this had not occurred to her She was sensible of all the
affection it evinced She felt that in quitting Donwell he must be sacrificing
a great deal of independence of hours and habits that in living constantly with
her father and in no house of his own there would be much very much to be
borne with She promised to think of it and advised him to think of it more
but he was fully convinced that no reflection could alter his wishes or his
opinion on the subject He had given it he could assure her very long and calm
consideration he had been walking away from William Larkins the whole morning
to have his thoughts to himself
»Ah there is one difficulty unprovided for« cried Emma »I am sure William
Larkins will not like it You must get his consent before you ask mine«
She promised however to think of it and pretty nearly promised moreover
to think of it with the intention of finding it a very good scheme
It is remarkable that Emma in the many very many points of view in which
she was now beginning to consider Donwell Abbey was never struck with any sense
of injury to her nephew Henry whose rights as heir expectant had formerly been
so tenaciously regarded Think she must of the possible difference to the poor
little boy and yet she only gave herself a saucy conscious smile about it and
found amusement in detecting the real cause of that violent dislike of Mr
Knightleys marrying Jane Fairfax or any body else which at the time she had
wholly imputed to the amiable solicitude of the sister and the aunt
This proposal of his this plan of marrying and continuing at Hartfield
the more she contemplated it the more pleasing it became His evils seemed to
lessen her own advantages to increase their mutual good to outweigh every
drawback Such a companion for herself in the periods of anxiety and
cheerlessness before her Such a partner in all those duties and cares to
which time must be giving increase of melancholy
She would have been too happy but for poor Harriet but every blessing of
her own seemed to involve and advance the sufferings of her friend who must now
be even excluded from Hartfield The delightful familyparty which Emma was
securing for herself poor Harriet must in mere charitable caution be kept at
a distance from She would be a loser in every way Emma could not deplore her
future absence as any deduction from her own enjoyment In such a party Harriet
would be rather a dead weight than otherwise but for the poor girl herself it
seemed a peculiarly cruel necessity that was to be placing her in such a state
of unmerited punishment
In time of course Mr Knightley would be forgotten that is supplanted
but this could not be expected to happen very early Mr Knightley himself would
be doing nothing to assist the cure not like Mr Elton Mr Knightley always
so kind so feeling so truly considerate for every body would never deserve to
be less worshipped than now and it really was too much to hope even of Harriet
that she could be in love with more than three men in one year
Chapter XVI
It was a very great relief to Emma to find Harriet as desirous as herself to
avoid a meeting Their intercourse was painful enough by letter How much worse
had they been obliged to meet
Harriet expressed herself very much as might be supposed without
reproaches or apparent sense of ill usage and yet Emma fancied there was a
something of resentment a something bordering on it in her style which
increased the desirableness of their being separate It might be only her own
consciousness but it seemed as if an angel only could have been quite without
resentment under such a stroke
She had no difficulty in procuring Isabellas invitation and she was
fortunate in having a sufficient reason for asking it without resorting to
invention There was a tooth amiss Harriet really wished and had wished some
time to consult a dentist Mrs John Knightley was delighted to be of use any
thing of illhealth was a recommendation to her and though not so fond of a
dentist as of a Mr Wingfield she was quite eager to have Harriet under her
care When it was thus settled on her sisters side Emma proposed it to her
friend and found her very persuadable Harriet was to go she was invited for
at least a fortnight she was to be conveyed in Mr Woodhouses carriage It
was all arranged it was all completed and Harriet was safe in Brunswick
Square
Now Emma could indeed enjoy Mr Knightleys visits now she could talk
and she could listen with true happiness unchecked by that sense of injustice
of guilt of something most painful which had haunted her when remembering how
disappointed a heart was near her how much might at that moment and at a
little distance be enduring by the feelings which she had led astray herself
The difference of Harriet at Mrs Goddards or in London made perhaps an
unreasonable difference in Emmas sensations but she could not think of her in
London without objects of curiosity and employment which must be averting the
past and carrying her out of herself
She would not allow any other anxiety to succeed directly to the place in
her mind which Harriet had occupied There was a communication before her one
which she only could be competent to make the confession of her engagement to
her father but she would have nothing to do with it at present She had
resolved to defer the disclosure till Mrs Weston were safe and well No
additional agitation should be thrown at this period among those she loved and
the evil should not act on herself by anticipation before the appointed time
A fortnight at least of leisure and peace of mind to crown every warmer but
more agitating delight should be hers
She soon resolved equally as a duty and a pleasure to employ half an hour
of this holiday of spirits in calling on Miss Fairfax She ought to go and
she was longing to see her the resemblance of their present situations
increasing every other motive of good will It would be a secret satisfaction
but the consciousness of a similarity of prospect would certainly add to the
interest with which she should attend to any thing Jane might communicate
She went she had driven once unsuccessfully to the door but had not been
into the house since the morning after BoxHill when poor Jane had been in such
distress as had filled her with compassion though all the worst of her
sufferings had been unsuspected The fear of being still unwelcome determined
her though assured of their being at home to wait in the passage and send up
her name She heard Patty announcing it but no such bustle succeeded as poor
Miss Bates had before made so happily intelligible No she heard nothing but
the instant reply of »Beg her to walk up« and a moment afterwards she was
met on the stairs by Jane herself coming eagerly forward as if no other
reception of her were felt sufficient Emma had never seen her look so well
so lovely so engaging There was consciousness animation and warmth there
was every thing which her countenance or manner could ever have wanted She
came forward with an offered hand and said in a low but very feeling tone
»This is most kind indeed Miss Woodhouse it is impossible for me to
express I hope you will believe Excuse me for being so entirely without
words«
Emma was gratified and would soon have shown no want of words if the sound
of Mrs Eltons voice from the sittingroom had not checked her and made it
expedient to compress all her friendly and all her congratulatory sensations
into a very very earnest shake of the hand
Mrs Bates and Mrs Elton were together Miss Bates was out which accounted
for the previous tranquillity Emma could have wished Mrs Elton elsewhere but
she was in a humour to have patience with every body and as Mrs Elton met her
with unusual graciousness she hoped the rencontre would do them no harm
She soon believed herself to penetrate Mrs Eltons thoughts and understand
why she was like herself in happy spirits it was being in Miss Fairfaxs
confidence and fancying herself acquainted with what was still a secret to
other people Emma saw symptoms of it immediately in the expression of her face
and while paying her own compliments to Mrs Bates and appearing to attend to
the good old ladys replies she saw her with a sort of anxious parade of
mystery fold up a letter which she had apparently been reading aloud to Miss
Fairfax and return it into the purple and gold ridicule by her side saying
with significant nods
»We can finish this some other time you know You and I shall not want
opportunities And in fact you have heard all the essential already I only
wanted to prove to you that Mrs S admits our apology and is not offended You
see how delightfully she writes Oh she is a sweet creature You would have
doated on her had you gone But not a word more Let us be discreet quite
on our good behaviour Hush You remember those lines I forget the poem at
this moment
For when a ladys in the case
You know all other things give place
Now I say my dear in our case for lady read mum a word to the wise I
am in a fine flow of spirits ant I But I want to set your heart at ease as to
Mrs S My representation you see has quite appeased her«
And again on Emmas merely turning her head to look at Mrs Batess
knitting she added in a half whisper
»I mentioned no names you will observe Oh no cautious as a minister of
state I managed it extremely well«
Emma could not doubt It was a palpable display repeated on every possible
occasion When they had all talked a little while in harmony of the weather and
Mrs Weston she found herself abruptly addressed with
»Do not you think Miss Woodhouse our saucy little friend here is
charmingly recovered Do not you think her cure does Perry the highest credit
here was a sideglance of great meaning at Jane Upon my word Perry has
restored her in a wonderful short time Oh if you had seen her as I did
when she was at the worst« And when Mrs Bates was saying something to Emma
whispered farther »We do not say a word of any assistance that Perry might
have not a word of a certain young physician from Windsor Oh no Perry
shall have all the credit«
»I have scarce had the pleasure of seeing you Miss Woodhouse« she shortly
afterwards began »since the party to BoxHill Very pleasant party But yet I
think there was something wanting Things did not seem that is there seemed a
little cloud upon the spirits of some So it appeared to me at least but I
might be mistaken However I think it answered so far as to tempt one to go
again What say you both to our collecting the same party and exploring to
BoxHill again while the fine weather lasts It must be the same party you
know quite the same party not one exception«
Soon after this Miss Bates came in and Emma could not help being diverted
by the perplexity of her first answer to herself resulting she supposed from
doubt of what might be said and impatience to say every thing
»Thank you dear Miss Woodhouse you are all kindness It is impossible to
say Yes indeed I quite understand dearest Janes prospects that is I do
not mean But she is charmingly recovered How is Mr Woodhouse I am so
glad Quite out of my power Such a happy little circle as you find us here
Yes indeed Charming young man that is so very friendly I mean good
Mr Perry such attention to Jane« And from her great her more than
commonly thankful delight towards Mrs Elton for being there Emma guessed that
there had been a little show of resentment towards Jane from the vicarage
quarter which was now graciously overcome After a few whispers indeed
which placed it beyond a guess Mrs Elton speaking louder said
»Yes here I am my good friend and here I have been so long that anywhere
else I should think it necessary to apologize but the truth is that I am
waiting for my lord and master He promised to join me here and pay his
respects to you«
»What are we to have the pleasure of a call from Mr Elton That will be
a favour indeed for I know gentlemen do not like morning visits and Mr
Eltons time is so engaged«
»Upon my word it is Miss Bates He really is engaged from morning to
night There is no end of peoples coming to him on some pretence or other
The magistrates and overseers and churchwardens are always wanting his
opinion They seem not able to do any thing without him Upon my word Mr E
I often say rather you than I I do not know what would become of my crayons
and my instrument if I had half so many applicants Bad enough as it is for
I absolutely neglect them both to an unpardonable degree I believe I have not
played a bar this fortnight However he is coming I assure you yes indeed
on purpose to wait on you all« And putting up her hand to screen her words
from Emma »A congratulatory visit you know Oh yes quite indispensable«
Miss Bates looked about her so happily
»He promised to come to me as soon as he could disengage himself from
Knightley but he and Knightley are shut up together in deep consultation Mr
E is Knightleys right hand«
Emma would not have smiled for the world and only said »Is Mr Elton gone
on foot to Donwell He will have a hot walk«
»Oh no it is a meeting at the Crown a regular meeting Weston and Cole
will be there too but one is apt to speak only of those who lead I fancy Mr
E and Knightley have every thing their own way«
»Have not you mistaken the day« said Emma »I am almost certain that the
meeting at the Crown is not till tomorrow Mr Knightley was at Hartfield
yesterday and spoke of it as for Saturday«
»Oh no the meeting is certainly today« was the abrupt answer which
denoted the impossibility of any blunder on Mrs Eltons side »I do believe«
she continued »this is the most troublesome parish that ever was We never
heard of such things at Maple Grove«
»Your parish there was small« said Jane
»Upon my word my dear I do not know for I never heard the subject talked
of«
»But it is proved by the smallness of the school which I have heard you
speak of as under the patronage of your sister and Mrs Bragge the only
school and not more than fiveandtwenty children«
»Ah you clever creature thats very true What a thinking brain you have
I say Jane what a perfect character you and I should make if we could be
shaken together My liveliness and your solidity would produce perfection Not
that I presume to insinuate however that some people may not think you
perfection already But hush not a word if you please«
It seemed an unnecessary caution Jane was wanting to give her words not to
Mrs Elton but to Miss Woodhouse as the latter plainly saw The wish of
distinguishing her as far as civility permitted was very evident though it
could not often proceed beyond a look
Mr Elton made his appearance His lady greeted him with some of her
sparkling vivacity
»Very pretty sir upon my word to send me on here to be an encumbrance to
my friends so long before you vouchsafe to come But you knew what a dutiful
creature you had to deal with You knew I should not stir till my lord and
master appeared Here have I been sitting this hour giving these young ladies
a sample of true conjugal obedience for who can say you know how soon it may
be wanted«
Mr Elton was so hot and tired that all this wit seemed thrown away His
civilities to the other ladies must be paid but his subsequent object was to
lament over himself for the heat he was suffering and the walk he had had for
nothing
»When I got to Donwell« said he »Knightley could not be found Very odd
very unaccountable after the note I sent him this morning and the message he
returned that he should certainly be at home till one«
»Donwell« cried his wife »My dear Mr E you have not been to Donwell
You mean the Crown you come from the meeting at the Crown«
»No no thats tomorrow and I particularly wanted to see Knightley today
on that very account Such a dreadful broiling morning I went over the
fields too speaking in a tone of great ill usage which made it so much the
worse And then not to find him at home I assure you I am not at all pleased
And no apology left no message for me The housekeeper declared she knew
nothing of my being expected Very extraordinary And nobody knew at all
which way he was gone Perhaps to Hartfield perhaps to the Abbey Mill perhaps
into his woods Miss Woodhouse this is not like our friend Knightley Can
you explain it«
Emma amused herself by protesting that it was very extraordinary indeed and
that she had not a syllable to say for him
»I cannot imagine« cried Mrs Elton feeling the indignity as a wife ought
to do »I cannot imagine how he could do such a thing by you of all people in
the world The very last person whom one should expect to be forgotten My
dear Mr E he must have left a message for you I am sure he must Not even
Knightley could be so very eccentric and his servants forgot it Depend upon
it that was the case and very likely to happen with the Donwell servants who
are all I have often observed extremely awkward and remiss I am sure I
would not have such a creature as his Harry stand at our sideboard for any
consideration And as for Mrs Hodges Wright holds her very cheap indeed She
promised Wright a receipt and never sent it«
»I met William Larkins« continued Mr Elton »as I got near the house and
he told me I should not find his master at home but I did not believe him
William seemed rather out of humour He did not know what was come to his master
lately he said but he could hardly ever get the speech of him I have nothing
to do with Williams wants but it really is of very great importance that I
should see Knightley to day and it becomes a matter therefore of very serious
inconvenience that I should have had this hot walk to no purpose«
Emma felt that she could not do better than go home directly In all
probability she was at this very time waited for there and Mr Knightley might
be preserved from sinking deeper in aggression towards Mr Elton if not towards
William Larkins
She was pleased on taking leave to find Miss Fairfax determined to attend
her out of the room to go with her even down stairs it gave her an opportunity
which she immediately made use of to say
»It is as well perhaps that I have not had the possibility Had you not
been surrounded by other friends I might have been tempted to introduce a
subject to ask questions to speak more openly than might have been strictly
correct I feel that I should certainly have been impertinent«
»Oh« cried Jane with a blush and an hesitation which Emma thought
infinitely more becoming to her than all the elegance of all her usual composure
»there would have been no danger The danger would have been of my wearying
you You could not have gratified me more than by expressing an interest
Indeed Miss Woodhouse speaking more collectedly with the consciousness
which I have of misconduct very great misconduct it is particularly consoling
to me to know that those of my friends whose good opinion is most worth
preserving are not disgusted to such a degree as to I have not time for half
that I could wish to say I long to make apologies excuses to urge something
for myself I feel it so very due But unfortunately in short if your
compassion does not stand my friend «
»Oh you are too scrupulous indeed you are« cried Emma warmly and taking
her hand »You owe me no apologies and every body to whom you might be supposed
to owe them is so perfectly satisfied so delighted even «
»You are very kind but I know what my manners were to you So cold and
artificial I had always a part to act It was a life of deceit I know
that I must have disgusted you«
»Pray say no more I feel that all the apologies should be on my side Let
us forgive each other at once We must do whatever is to be done quickest and I
think our feelings will lose no time there I hope you have pleasant accounts
from Windsor«
»Very«
»And the next news I suppose will be that we are to lose you just as I
begin to know you«
»Oh as to all that of course nothing can be thought of yet I am here till
claimed by Colonel and Mrs Campbell«
»Nothing can be actually settled yet perhaps« replied Emma smiling
»but excuse me it must be thought of«
The smile was returned as Jane answered
»You are very right it has been thought of And I will own to you I am
sure it will be safe that so far as our living with Mr Churchill at Enscombe
it is settled There must be three months at least of deep mourning but when
they are over I imagine there will be nothing more to wait for«
»Thank you thank you This is just what I wanted to be assured of Oh
if you knew how much I love every thing that is decided and open Good bye
good bye«
Chapter XVII
Mrs Westons friends were all made happy by her safety and if the satisfaction
of her welldoing could be increased to Emma it was by knowing her to be the
mother of a little girl She had been decided in wishing for a Miss Weston She
would not acknowledge that it was with any view of making a match for her
hereafter with either of Isabellas sons but she was convinced that a daughter
would suit both father and mother best It would be a great comfort to Mr
Weston as he grew older and even Mr Weston might be growing older ten years
hence to have his fireside enlivened by the sports and the nonsense the
freaks and the fancies of a child never banished from home and Mrs Weston no
one could doubt that a daughter would be most to her and it would be quite a
pity that any one who so well knew how to teach should not have their powers in
exercise again
»She has had the advantage you know of practising on me« she continued
»like La Baronne dAlmane on La Comtesse dOstalis in Madame de Genlis
Adelaide and Theodore and we shall now see her own little Adelaide educated on
a more perfect plan«
»That is« replied Mr Knightley »she will indulge her even more than she
did you and believe that she does not indulge her at all It will be the only
difference«
»Poor child« cried Emma »at that rate what will become of her«
»Nothing very bad The fate of thousands She will be disagreeable in
infancy and correct herself as she grows older I am losing all my bitterness
against spoilt children my dearest Emma I who am owing all my happiness to
you would not it be horrible ingratitude in me to be severe on them«
Emma laughed and replied »But I had the assistance of all your endeavours
to counteract the indulgence of other people I doubt whether my own sense would
have corrected me without it«
»Do you I have no doubt Nature gave you understanding Miss Taylor
gave you principles You must have done well My interference was quite as
likely to do harm as good It was very natural for you to say what right has he
to lecture me and I am afraid very natural for you to feel that it was done
in a disagreeable manner I do not believe I did you any good The good was all
to myself by making you an object of the tenderest affection to me I could not
think about you so much without doating on you faults and all and by dint of
fancying so many errors have been in love with you ever since you were thirteen
at least«
»I am sure you were of use to me« cried Emma »I was very often influenced
rightly by you oftener than I would own at the time I am very sure you did me
good And if poor little Anna Weston is to be spoiled it will be the greatest
humanity in you to do as much for her as you have done for me except falling in
love with her when she is thirteen«
»How often when you were a girl have you said to me with one of your
saucy looks Mr Knightley I am going to do so and so papa says I may or I
have Miss Taylors leave something which you knew I did not approve In such
cases my interference was giving you two bad feelings instead of one«
»What an amiable creature I was No wonder you should hold my speeches in
such affectionate remembrance«
»Mr Knightley You always called me Mr Knightley and from habit it
has not so very formal a sound And yet it is formal I want you to call me
something else but I do not know what«
»I remember once calling you George in one of my amiable fits about ten
years ago I did it because I thought it would offend you but as you made no
objection I never did it again«
»And cannot you call me George now«
»Impossible I never can call you any thing but Mr Knightley I will not
promise even to equal the elegant terseness of Mrs Elton by calling you Mr K
But I will promise« she added presently laughing and blushing »I will
promise to call you once by your Christian name I do not say when but perhaps
you may guess where in the building in which N takes M for better for
worse«
Emma grieved that she could not be more openly just to one important service
which his better sense would have rendered her to the advice which would have
saved her from the worst of all her womanly follies her wilful intimacy with
Harriet Smith but it was too tender a subject She could not enter on it
Harriet was very seldom mentioned between them This on his side might merely
proceed from her not being thought of but Emma was rather inclined to attribute
it to delicacy and a suspicion from some appearances that their friendship
were declining She was aware herself that parting under any other
circumstances they certainly should have corresponded more and that her
intelligence would not have rested as it now almost wholly did on Isabellas
letters He might observe that it was so The pain of being obliged to practise
concealment towards him was very little inferior to the pain of having made
Harriet unhappy
Isabella sent quite as good an account of her visitor as could be expected
on her first arrival she had thought her out of spirits which appeared
perfectly natural as there was a dentist to be consulted but since that
business had been over she did not appear to find Harriet different from what
she had known her before Isabella to be sure was no very quick observer
yet if Harriet had not been equal to playing with the children it would not
have escaped her Emmas comforts and hopes were most agreeably carried on by
Harriets being to stay longer her fortnight was likely to be a month at least
Mr and Mrs John Knightley were to come down in August and she was invited to
remain till they could bring her back
»John does not even mention your friend« said Mr Knightley »Here is his
answer if you like to see it«
It was the answer to the communication of his intended marriage Emma
accepted it with a very eager hand with an impatience all alive to know what he
would say about it and not at all checked by hearing that her friend was
unmentioned
»John enters like a brother into my happiness« continued Mr Knightley
»but he is no complimenter and though I well know him to have likewise a most
brotherly affection for you he is so far from making flourishes that any other
young woman might think him rather cool in her praise But I am not afraid of
your seeing what he writes«
»He writes like a sensible man« replied Emma when she had read the letter
»I honour his sincerity It is very plain that he considers the good fortune of
the engagement as all on my side but that he is not without hope of my growing
in time as worthy of your affection as you think me already Had he said any
thing to bear a different construction I should not have believed him«
»My Emma he means no such thing He only means «
»He and I should differ very little in our estimation of the two«
interrupted she with a sort of serious smile »much less perhaps than he is
aware of if we could enter without ceremony or reserve on the subject«
»Emma my dear Emma «
»Oh« she cried with more thorough gaiety »if you fancy your brother does
not do me justice only wait till my dear father is in the secret and hear his
opinion Depend upon it he will be much farther from doing you justice He will
think all the happiness all the advantage on your side of the question all
the merit on mine I wish I may not sink into poor Emma with him at once His
tender compassion towards oppressed worth can go no farther«
»Ah« he cried »I wish your father might be half as easily convinced as
John will be of our having every right that equal worth can give to be happy
together I am amused by one part of Johns letter did you notice it where
he says that my information did not take him wholly by surprise that he was
rather in expectation of hearing something of the kind«
»If I understand your brother he only means so far as your having some
thoughts of marrying He had no idea of me He seems perfectly unprepared for
that«
»Yes yes but I am amused that he should have seen so far into my
feelings What has he been judging by I am not conscious of any difference in
my spirits or conversation that could prepare him at this time for my marrying
any more than at another But it was so I suppose I dare say there was a
difference when I was staying with them the other day I believe I did not play
with the children quite so much as usual I remember one evening the poor boys
saying Uncle seems always tired now«
The time was coming when the news must be spread farther and other persons
reception of it tried As soon as Mrs Weston was sufficiently recovered to
admit Mr Woodhouses visits Emma having it in view that her gentle reasonings
should be employed in the cause resolved first to announce it at home and then
at Randalls But how to break it to her father at last She had bound
herself to do it in such an hour of Mr Knightleys absence or when it came to
the point her heart would have failed her and she must have put it off but Mr
Knightley was to come at such a time and follow up the beginning she was to
make She was forced to speak and to speak cheerfully too She must not make
it a more decided subject of misery to him by a melancholy tone herself She
must not appear to think it a misfortune With all the spirits she could
command she prepared him first for something strange and then in few words
said that if his consent and approbation could be obtained which she
trusted would be attended with no difficulty since it was a plan to promote
the happiness of all she and Mr Knightley meant to marry by which means
Hartfield would receive the constant addition of that persons company whom she
knew he loved next to his daughters and Mrs Weston best in the world
Poor man it was at first a considerable shock to him and he tried
earnestly to dissuade her from it She was reminded more than once of her
having always said she would never marry and assured that it would be a great
deal better for her to remain single and told of poor Isabella and poor Miss
Taylor But it would not do Emma hung about him affectionately and smiled
and said it must be so and that he must not class her with Isabella and Mrs
Weston whose marriages taking them from Hartfield had indeed made a
melancholy change but she was not going from Hartfield she should be always
there she was introducing no change in their numbers or their comforts but for
the better and she was very sure that he would be a great deal the happier for
having Mr Knightley always at hand when he were once got used to the idea
Did not he love Mr Knightley very much He would not deny that he did she
was sure Whom did he ever want to consult on business but Mr Knightley
Who was so useful to him who so ready to write his letters who so glad to
assist him Who so cheerful so attentive so attached to him Would not he
like to have him always on the spot Yes That was all very true Mr
Knightley could not be there too often he should be glad to see him every day
but they did see him every day as it was Why could not they go on as they
had done
Mr Woodhouse could not be soon reconciled but the worst was overcome the
idea was given time and continual repetition must do the rest To Emmas
entreaties and assurances succeeded Mr Knightleys whose fond praise of her
gave the subject even a kind of welcome and he was soon used to be talked to by
each on every fair occasion They had all the assistance which Isabella could
give by letters of the strongest approbation and Mrs Weston was ready on the
first meeting to consider the subject in the most serviceable light first as
a settled and secondly as a good one well aware of the nearly equal
importance of the two recommendations to Mr Woodhouses mind It was agreed
upon as what was to be and every body by whom he was used to be guided
assuring him that it would be for his happiness and having some feelings
himself which almost admitted it he began to think that some time or other in
another year or two perhaps it might not be so very bad if the marriage did
take place
Mrs Weston was acting no part feigning no feelings in all that she said to
him in favour of the event She had been extremely surprised never more so
than when Emma first opened the affair to her but she saw in it only increase
of happiness to all and had no scruple in urging him to the utmost She had
such a regard for Mr Knightley as to think he deserved even her dearest Emma
and it was in every respect so proper suitable and unexceptionable a
connexion and in one respect one point of the highest importance so
peculiarly eligible so singularly fortunate that now it seemed as if Emma
could not safely have attached herself to any other creature and that she had
herself been the stupidest of beings in not having thought of it and wished it
long ago How very few of those men in a rank of life to address Emma would
have renounced their own home for Hartfield And who but Mr Knightley could
know and bear with Mr Woodhouse so as to make such an arrangement desirable
The difficulty of disposing of poor Mr Woodhouse had been always felt in her
husbands plans and her own for a marriage between Frank and Emma How to
settle the claims of Enscombe and Hartfield had been a continual impediment
less acknowledged by Mr Weston than by herself but even he had never been
able to finish the subject better than by saying »Those matters will take care
of themselves the young people will find a way« But here there was nothing
to be shifted off in a wild speculation on the future It was all right all
open all equal No sacrifice on any side worth the name It was a union of the
highest promise of felicity in itself, and without one real rational difficulty
to oppose or delay it
Mrs Weston with her baby on her knee indulging in such reflections as
these was one of the happiest women in the world If any thing could increase
her delight it was perceiving that the baby would soon have outgrown its first
set of caps
The news was universally a surprise wherever it spread and Mr Weston had
his five minutes share of it but five minutes were enough to familiarize the
idea to his quickness of mind He saw the advantages of the match and
rejoiced in them with all the constancy of his wife but the wonder of it was
very soon nothing and by the end of an hour he was not far from believing that
he had always foreseen it
»It is to be a secret I conclude« said he »These matters are always a
secret till it is found out that every body knows them Only let me be told
when I may speak out I wonder whether Jane has any suspicion«
He went to Highbury the next morning and satisfied himself on that point
He told her the news Was not she like a daughter his eldest daughter he
must tell her and Miss Bates being present it passed of course to Mrs Cole
Mrs Perry and Mrs Elton immediately afterwards It was no more than the
principals were prepared for they had calculated from the time of its being
known at Randalls how soon it would be over Highbury and were thinking of
themselves as the evening wonder in many a family circle with great sagacity
In general it was a very well approved match Some might think him and
others might think her the most in luck One set might recommend their all
removing to Donwell and leaving Hartfield for the John Knightleys and another
might predict disagreements among their servants but yet upon the whole there
was no serious objection raised except in one habitation the vicarage
There the surprise was not softened by any satisfaction Mr Elton cared little
about it compared with his wife he only hoped the young ladys pride would now
be contented and supposed she had always meant to catch Knightley if she could
and on the point of living at Hartfield could daringly exclaim »Rather he
than I« But Mrs Elton was very much discomposed indeed »Poor Knightley
poor fellow sad business for him She was extremely concerned for though
very eccentric he had a thousand good qualities How could he be so taken in
Did not think him at all in love not in the least Poor Knightley There
would be an end of all pleasant intercourse with him How happy he had been to
come and dine with them whenever they asked him But that would be all over now
Poor fellow No more exploring parties to Donwell made for her Oh no
there would be a Mrs Knightley to throw cold water on every thing Extremely
disagreeable But she was not at all sorry that she had abused the housekeeper
the other day Shocking plan living together It would never do She knew a
family near Maple Grove who had tried it and been obliged to separate before
the end of the first quarter«
Chapter XVIII
Time passed on A few more tomorrows and the party from London would be
arriving It was an alarming change and Emma was thinking of it one morning as
what must bring a great deal to agitate and grieve her when Mr Knightley came
in and distressing thoughts were put by After the first chat of pleasure he
was silent and then in a graver tone began with
»I have something to tell you Emma some news«
»Good or bad« said she quickly looking up in his face
»I do not know which it ought to be called«
»Oh good I am sure I see it in your countenance You are trying not to
smile«
»I am afraid« said he composing his features »I am very much afraid my
dear Emma that you will not smile when you hear it«
»Indeed but why so I can hardly imagine that any thing which pleases or
amuses you should not please and amuse me too«
»There is one subject« he replied »I hope but one on which we do not
think alike« He paused a moment again smiling with his eyes fixed on her
face »Does nothing occur to you Do not you recollect Harriet Smith«
Her cheeks flushed at the name and she felt afraid of something though she
knew not what
»Have you heard from her yourself this morning« cried he »You have I
believe and know the whole«
»No I have not I know nothing pray tell me«
»You are prepared for the worst I see and very bad it is Harriet Smith
marries Robert Martin«
Emma gave a start which did not seem like being prepared and her eyes in
eager gaze said »No this is impossible« but her lips were closed
»It is so indeed« continued Mr Knightley »I have it from Robert Martin
himself He left me not half an hour ago«
She was still looking at him with the most speaking amazement
»You like it my Emma as little as I feared I wish our opinions were the
same But in time they will Time you may be very sure will make one or the
other of us think differently and in the meanwhile we need not talk much on
the subject«
»You mistake me you quite mistake me« she replied exerting herself »It
is not that such a circumstance would now make me unhappy but I cannot believe
it It seems an impossibility You cannot mean to say that Harriet Smith has
accepted Robert Martin You cannot mean that he has even proposed to her again
yet You only mean that he intends it«
»I mean that he has done it« answered Mr Knightley with smiling but
determined decision »and been accepted«
»Good God« she cried »Well« Then having recourse to her workbasket
in excuse for leaning down her face and concealing all the exquisite feelings
of delight and entertainment which she knew she must be expressing she added
»Well now tell me every thing make this intelligible to me How where when
Let me know it all I never was more surprised but it does not make me
unhappy I assure you How how has it been possible«
»It is a very simple story He went to town on business three days ago and
I got him to take charge of some papers which I was wanting to send to John
He delivered these papers to John at his chambers and was asked by him to join
their party the same evening to Astleys They were going to take the two eldest
boys to Astleys The party was to be our brother and sister Henry John and
Miss Smith My friend Robert could not resist They called for him in their way
were all extremely amused and my brother asked him to dine with them the next
day which he did and in the course of that visit as I understand he found
an opportunity of speaking to Harriet and certainly did not speak in vain
She made him by her acceptance as happy even as he is deserving He came down
by yesterdays coach and was with me this morning immediately after breakfast
to report his proceedings first on my affairs and then on his own This is all
that I can relate of the how where and when Your friend Harriet will make a
much longer history when you see her She will give you all the minute
particulars which only womans language can make interesting In our
communications we deal only in the great However I must say that Robert
Martins heart seemed for him and to me very overflowing and that he did
mention without its being much to the purpose that on quitting their box at
Astleys my brother took charge of Mrs John Knightley and little John and he
followed with Miss Smith and Henry and that at one time they were in such a
crowd as to make Miss Smith rather uneasy«
He stopped Emma dared not attempt any immediate reply To speak she was
sure would be to betray a most unreasonable degree of happiness She must wait a
moment or he would think her mad Her silence disturbed him and after
observing her a little while he added
»Emma my love you said that this circumstance would not now make you
unhappy but I am afraid it gives you more pain than you expected His situation
is an evil but you must consider it as what satisfies your friend and I will
answer for your thinking better and better of him as you know him more His good
sense and good principles would delight you As far as the man is concerned
you could not wish your friend in better hands His rank in society I would
alter if I could which is saying a great deal I assure you Emma You laugh
at me about William Larkins but I could quite as ill spare Robert Martin«
He wanted her to look up and smile and having now brought herself not to
smile too broadly she did cheerfully answering
»You need not be at any pains to reconcile me to the match I think Harriet
is doing extremely well Her connexions may be worse than his In respectability
of character there can be no doubt that they are I have been silent from
surprise merely excessive surprise You cannot imagine how suddenly it has come
on me how peculiarly unprepared I was for I had reason to believe her very
lately more determined against him much more than she was before«
»You ought to know your friend best« replied Mr Knightley »but I should
say she was a goodtempered softhearted girl not likely to be very very
determined against any young man who told her he loved her«
Emma could not help laughing as she answered »Upon my word I believe you
know her quite as well as I do But Mr Knightley are you perfectly sure
that she has absolutely and downright accepted him I could suppose she might
in time but can she already Did not you misunderstand him You were both
talking of other things of business shows of cattle or new drills and might
not you in the confusion of so many subjects mistake him It was not
Harriets hand that he was certain of it was the dimensions of some famous
ox«
The contrast between the countenance and air of Mr Knightley and Robert
Martin was at this moment so strong to Emmas feelings and so strong was the
recollection of all that had so recently passed on Harriets side so fresh the
sound of those words spoken with such emphasis »No I hope I know better than
to think of Robert Martin« that she was really expecting the intelligence to
prove in some measure premature It could not be otherwise
»Do you dare say this« cried Mr Knightley »Do you dare to suppose me so
great a blockhead as not to know what a man is talking of What do you
deserve«
»Oh I always deserve the best treatment because I never put up with any
other and therefore you must give me a plain direct answer Are you quite
sure that you understand the terms on which Mr Martin and Harriet now are«
»I am quite sure« he replied speaking very distinctly »that he told me
she had accepted him and that there was no obscurity nothing doubtful in the
words he used and I think I can give you a proof that it must be so He asked
my opinion as to what he was now to do He knew of no one but Mrs Goddard to
whom he could apply for information of her relations or friends Could I mention
any thing more fit to be done than to go to Mrs Goddard I assured him that I
could not Then he said he would endeavour to see her in the course of this
day«
»I am perfectly satisfied« replied Emma with the brightest smiles »and
most sincerely wish them happy«
»You are materially changed since we talked on this subject before«
»I hope so for at that time I was a fool«
»And I am changed also for I am now very willing to grant you all Harriets
good qualities I have taken some pains for your sake and for Robert Martins
sake whom I have always had reason to believe as much in love with her as
ever to get acquainted with her I have often talked to her a good deal You
must have seen that I did Sometimes indeed I have thought you were half
suspecting me of pleading poor Martins cause which was never the case but
from all my observations I am convinced of her being an artless amiable girl
with very good notions very seriously good principles and placing her
happiness in the affections and utility of domestic life Much of this I have
no doubt she may thank you for«
»Me« cried Emma shaking her head »Ah poor Harriet«
She checked herself however and submitted quietly to a little more praise
than she deserved
Their conversation was soon afterwards closed by the entrance of her father
She was not sorry She wanted to be alone Her mind was in a state of flutter
and wonder which made it impossible for her to be collected She was in
dancing singing exclaiming spirits and till she had moved about and talked
to herself and laughed and reflected she could be fit for nothing rational
Her fathers business was to announce Jamess being gone out to put the
horses to preparatory to their now daily drive to Randalls and she had
therefore an immediate excuse for disappearing
The joy the gratitude the exquisite delight of her sensations may be
imagined The sole grievance and alloy thus removed in the prospect of Harriets
welfare she was really in danger of becoming too happy for security What had
she to wish for Nothing but to grow more worthy of him whose intentions and
judgment had been ever so superior to her own Nothing but that the lessons of
her past folly might teach her humility and circumspection in future
Serious she was very serious in her thankfulness and in her resolutions
and yet there was no preventing a laugh sometimes in the very midst of them
She must laugh at such a close Such an end of the doleful disappointment of
five weeks back Such a heart such a Harriet
Now there would be pleasure in her returning Every thing would be a
pleasure It would be a great pleasure to know Robert Martin
High in the rank of her most serious and heartfelt felicities was the
reflection that all necessity of concealment from Mr Knightley would soon be
over The disguise equivocation mystery so hateful to her to practise might
soon be over She could now look forward to giving him that full and perfect
confidence which her disposition was most ready to welcome as a duty
In the gayest and happiest spirits she set forward with her father not
always listening but always agreeing to what he said and whether in speech or
silence conniving at the comfortable persuasion of his being obliged to go to
Randalls every day or poor Mrs Weston would be disappointed
They arrived Mrs Weston was alone in the drawingroom but hardly had
they been told of the baby and Mr Woodhouse received the thanks for coming
which he asked for when a glimpse was caught through the blind of two figures
passing near the window
»It is Frank and Miss Fairfax« said Mrs Weston »I was just going to tell
you of our agreeable surprise in seeing him arrive this morning He stays till
tomorrow and Miss Fairfax has been persuaded to spend the day with us They
are coming in I hope«
In half a minute they were in the room Emma was extremely glad to see him
but there was a degree of confusion a number of embarrassing recollections on
each side They met readily and smiling but with a consciousness which at first
allowed little to be said and having all sat down again there was for some
time such a blank in the circle that Emma began to doubt whether the wish now
indulged which she had long felt of seeing Frank Churchill once more and of
seeing him with Jane would yield its proportion of pleasure When Mr Weston
joined the party however and when the baby was fetched there was no longer a
want of subject or animation or of courage and opportunity for Frank Churchill
to draw near her and say
»I have to thank you Miss Woodhouse for a very kind forgiving message in
one of Mrs Westons letters I hope time has not made you less willing to
pardon I hope you do not retract what you then said«
»No indeed« cried Emma most happy to begin »not in the least I am
particularly glad to see and shake hands with you and to give you joy in
person«
He thanked her with all his heart and continued sometime to speak with
serious feeling of his gratitude and happiness
»Is not she looking well« said he turning his eyes towards Jane »Better
than she ever used to do You see how my father and Mrs Weston doat upon
her«
But his spirits were soon rising again and with laughing eyes after
mentioning the expected return of the Campbells he named the name of Dixon
Emma blushed and forbad its being pronounced in her hearing
»I can never think of it« she cried »without extreme shame«
»The shame« he answered »is all mine or ought to be But is it possible
that you had no suspicion I mean of late Early I know you had none«
»I never had the smallest I assure you«
»That appears quite wonderful I was once very near and I wish I had it
would have been better But though I was always doing wrong things they were
very bad wrong things and such as did me no service It would have been a
much better transgression had I broken the bond of secrecy and told you every
thing«
»It is not now worth a regret« said Emma
»I have some hope« resumed he »of my uncles being persuaded to pay a
visit at Randalls he wants to be introduced to her When the Campbells are
returned we shall meet them in London and continue there I trust till we may
carry her northward But now I am at such a distance from her is not it
hard Miss Woodhouse Till this morning we have not once met since the day of
reconciliation Do not you pity me«
Emma spoke her pity so very kindly that with a sudden accession of gay
thought he cried
»Ah by the bye« then sinking his voice and looking demure for the
moment »I hope Mr Knightley is well« He paused She coloured and laughed
»I know you saw my letter and think you may remember my wish in your favour
Let me return your congratulations I assure you that I have heard the news
with the warmest interest and satisfaction He is a man whom I cannot presume
to praise«
Emma was delighted and only wanted him to go on in the same style but his
mind was the next moment in his own concerns and with his own Jane and his next
words were
»Did you ever see such a skin such smoothness such delicacy and yet
without being actually fair One cannot call her fair It is a most uncommon
complexion with her dark eyelashes and hair a most distinguishing
complexion So peculiarly the lady in it Just colour enough for beauty«
»I have always admired her complexion« replied Emma archly »but do not I
remember the time when you found fault with her for being so pale When we
first began to talk of her Have you quite forgotten«
»Oh no what an impudent dog I was How could I dare «
But he laughed so heartily at the recollection that Emma could not help
saying
»I do suspect that in the midst of your perplexities at that time you had
very great amusement in tricking us all I am sure you had I am sure it was
a consolation to you«
»Oh no no no how can you suspect me of such a thing I was the most
miserable wretch«
»Not quite so miserable as to be insensible to mirth I am sure it was a
source of high entertainment to you to feel that you were taking us all in
Perhaps I am the readier to suspect because to tell you the truth I think it
might have been some amusement to myself in the same situation I think there is
a little likeness between us«
He bowed
»If not in our dispositions« she presently added with a look of true
sensibility »there is a likeness in our destiny the destiny which bids fair to
connect us with two characters so much superior to our own«
»True true« he answered warmly »No not true on your side You can have
no superior but most true on mine She is a complete angel Look at her Is
not she an angel in every gesture Observe the turn of her throat Observe her
eyes as she is looking up at my father You will be glad to hear inclining
his head and whispering seriously that my uncle means to give her all my
aunts jewels They are to be new set I am resolved to have some in an ornament
for the head Will not it be beautiful in her dark hair«
»Very beautiful indeed« replied Emma and she spoke so kindly that he
gratefully burst out
»How delighted I am to see you again and to see you in such excellent
looks I would not have missed this meeting for the world I should certainly
have called at Hartfield had you failed to come«
The others had been talking of the child Mrs Weston giving an account of a
little alarm she had been under the evening before from the infants appearing
not quite well She believed she had been foolish but it had alarmed her and
she had been within half a minute of sending for Mr Perry Perhaps she ought to
be ashamed but Mr Weston had been almost as uneasy as herself In ten
minutes however the child had been perfectly well again This was her history
and particularly interesting it was to Mr Woodhouse who commended her very
much for thinking of sending for Perry and only regretted that she had not done
it »She should always send for Perry if the child appeared in the slightest
degree disordered were it only for a moment She could not be too soon alarmed
nor send for Perry too often It was a pity perhaps that he had not come last
night for though the child seemed well now very well considering it would
probably have been better if Perry had seen it«
Frank Churchill caught the name
»Perry« said he to Emma and trying as he spoke to catch Miss Fairfaxs
eye »My friend Mr Perry What are they saying about Mr Perry Has he been
here this morning And how does he travel now Has he set up his carriage«
Emma soon recollected and understood him and while she joined in the
laugh it was evident from Janes countenance that she too was really hearing
him though trying to seem deaf
»Such an extraordinary dream of mine« he cried »I can never think of it
without laughing She hears us she hears us Miss Woodhouse I see it in her
cheek her smile her vain attempt to frown Look at her Do not you see that
at this instant the very passage of her own letter which sent me the report
is passing under her eye that the whole blunder is spread before her that
she can attend to nothing else though pretending to listen to the others«
Jane was forced to smile completely for a moment and the smile partly
remained as she turned towards him and said in a conscious low yet steady
voice
»How you can bear such recollections is astonishing to me They will
sometimes obtrude but how you can court them«
He had a great deal to say in return and very entertainingly but Emmas
feelings were chiefly with Jane in the argument and on leaving Randalls and
falling naturally into a comparison of the two men she felt that pleased as
she had been to see Frank Churchill and really regarding him as she did with
friendship she had never been more sensible of Mr Knightleys high superiority
of character The happiness of this most happy day received its completion in
the animated contemplation of his worth which this comparison produced
Chapter XIX
If Emma had still at intervals an anxious feeling for Harriet a momentary
doubt of its being possible for her to be really cured of her attachment to Mr
Knightley and really able to accept another man from unbiassed inclination it
was not long that she had to suffer from the recurrence of any such uncertainty
A very few days brought the party from London and she had no sooner an
opportunity of being one hour alone with Harriet than she became perfectly
satisfied unaccountable as it was that Robert Martin had thoroughly
supplanted Mr Knightley and was now forming all her views of happiness
Harriet was a little distressed did look a little foolish at first but
having once owned that she had been presumptuous and silly and selfdeceived
before her pain and confusion seemed to die away with the words and leave her
without a care for the past and with the fullest exultation in the present and
future for as to her friends approbation Emma had instantly removed every
fear of that nature by meeting her with the most unqualified congratulations
Harriet was most happy to give every particular of the evening at Astleys and
the dinner the next day she could dwell on it all with the utmost delight But
what did such particulars explain The fact was as Emma could now
acknowledge that Harriet had always liked Robert Martin and that his
continuing to love her had been irresistible Beyond this it must ever be
unintelligible to Emma
The event however was most joyful and every day was giving her fresh
reason for thinking so Harriets parentage became known She proved to be the
daughter of a tradesman rich enough to afford her the comfortable maintenance
which had ever been hers and decent enough to have always wished for
concealment Such was the blood of gentility which Emma had formerly been so
ready to vouch for It was likely to be as untainted perhaps as the blood of
many a gentleman but what a connexion had she been preparing for Mr Knightley
or for the Churchills or even for Mr Elton The stain of illegitimacy
unbleached by nobility or wealth would have been a stain indeed
No objection was raised on the fathers side the young man was treated
liberally it was all as it should be and as Emma became acquainted with Robert
Martin who was now introduced at Hartfield she fully acknowledged in him all
the appearance of sense and worth which could bid fairest for her little friend
She had no doubt of Harriets happiness with any good tempered man but with
him and in the home he offered there would be the hope of more of security
stability and improvement She would be placed in the midst of those who loved
her and who had better sense than herself retired enough for safety and
occupied enough for cheerfulness She would be never led into temptation nor
left for it to find her out She would be respectable and happy and Emma
admitted her to be the luckiest creature in the world to have created so steady
and persevering an affection in such a man or if not quite the luckiest to
yield only to herself
Harriet necessarily drawn away by her engagements with the Martins was
less and less at Hartfield which was not to be regretted The intimacy
between her and Emma must sink their friendship must change into a calmer sort
of goodwill and fortunately what ought to be and must be seemed already
beginning and in the most gradual natural manner
Before the end of September Emma attended Harriet to church and saw her
hand bestowed on Robert Martin with so complete a satisfaction as no
remembrances even connected with Mr Elton as he stood before them could
impair Perhaps indeed at that time she scarcely saw Mr Elton but as the
clergyman whose blessing at the altar might next fall on herself Robert
Martin and Harriet Smith the latest couple engaged of the three were the first
to be married
Jane Fairfax had already quitted Highbury and was restored to the comforts
of her beloved home with the Campbells The Mr Churchills were also in town
and they were only waiting for November
The intermediate month was the one fixed on as far as they dared by Emma
and Mr Knightley They had determined that their marriage ought to be
concluded while John and Isabella were still at Hartfield to allow them the
fortnights absence in a tour to the seaside which was the plan John and
Isabella and every other friend were agreed in approving it But Mr Woodhouse
how was Mr Woodhouse to be induced to consent he who had never yet
alluded to their marriage but as a distant event
When first sounded on the subject he was so miserable that they were
almost hopeless A second allusion indeed gave less pain He began to
think it was to be and that he could not prevent it a very promising step of
the mind on its way to resignation Still however he was not happy Nay he
appeared so much otherwise that his daughters courage failed She could not
bear to see him suffering to know him fancying himself neglected and though
her understanding almost acquiesced in the assurance of both the Mr Knightleys
that when once the event were over his distress would be soon over too she
hesitated she could not proceed
In this state of suspense they were befriended not by any sudden
illumination of Mr Woodhouses mind or any wonderful change of his nervous
system but by the operation of the same system in another way Mrs Westons
poultryhouse was robbed one night of all her turkies evidently by the
ingenuity of man Other poultryyards in the neighbourhood also suffered
Pilfering was housebreaking to Mr Woodhouses fears He was very uneasy and
but for the sense of his soninlaws protection would have been under wretched
alarm every night of his life The strength resolution and presence of mind of
the Mr Knightleys commanded his fullest dependance While either of them
protected him and his Hartfield was safe But Mr John Knightley must be in
London again by the end of the first week in November
The result of this distress was that with a much more voluntary cheerful
consent than his daughter had ever presumed to hope for at the moment she was
able to fix her weddingday and Mr Elton was called on within a month from
the marriage of Mr and Mrs Robert Martin to join the hands of Mr Knightley
and Miss Woodhouse
The wedding was very much like other weddings where the parties have no
taste for finery or parade and Mrs Elton from the particulars detailed by her
husband thought it all extremely shabby and very inferior to her own »Very
little white satin very few lace veils a most pitiful business Selina would
stare when she heard of it« But in spite of these deficiencies the wishes
the hopes the confidence the predictions of the small band of true friends who
witnessed the ceremony were fully answered in the perfect happiness of the
union
Finis