 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 Emma's 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. Elton's, I should have imagined, would rather
disgust than gratify Miss Fairfax. Mrs. Elton's 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 aunt's eagerness in accepting Mrs.
Elton's 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
