 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 Churchill's 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 to-morrow. - 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
