 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 Harriet's 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 friend's 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 Jane's 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 arrow-root 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 Harriet's mind, producing reserve and self-command, it would.
- She must communicate the painful truth, however, and as soon as possible. An
injunction of secresy
