 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 Randall's, 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 lady's pride would now
be contented; and supposed she had always meant to catch Knightley if she could;
and, on the point of living
