 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. Weston's friends were all made happy by her safety; and if the satisfaction
of her well-doing 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 Isabella's 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
