Sheknewthelimitationsofherownpowerstoowelltoattemptmorethanshecouldperformwithcredit;shewantedneithertastenorspiritinthelittlethingswhicharegenerallyacceptable,andcouldaccompanyherownvoicewell.Oneaccompanimenttohersongtookheragreeablybysurprize-asecond,slightlybutcorrectlytakenbyFrankChurchill.Herpardonwasdulybeggedatthecloseofthesong,andeverythingusualfollowed.Hewasaccusedofhavingadelightfulvoice,andaperfectknowledgeofmusic;whichwasproperlydenied;andthatheknewnothingofthematter,andhadnovoiceatall,roundlyasserted.Theysangtogetheroncemore;andEmmawouldthenresignherplacetoMissFairfax,whoseperformance,bothvocalandinstrumental,shenevercouldattempttoconcealfromherself,wasinfinitelysuperiortoherown.
Withmixedfeelings,sheseatedherselfatalittledistancefromthenumbersroundtheinstrument,tolisten.FrankChurchillsangagain.Theyhadsungtogetheronceortwice,itappeared,atWeymouth.ButthesightofMr.Knightleyamongthemostattentive,soondrewawayhalfEmma\'smind;andshefellintoatrainofthinkingonthesubjectofMrs.Weston\'ssuspicions,towhichthesweetsoundsoftheunitedvoicesgaveonlymomentaryinterruptions.HerobjectionstoMr.Knightley\'smarryingdidnotintheleastsubside.Shecouldseenothingbutevilinit.ItwouldbeagreatdisappointmenttoMr.JohnKnightley;consequentlytoIsabella.Arealinjurytothechildren-amostmortifyingchange,andmateriallosstothemall;-averygreatdeductionfromherfather\'sdailycomfort-and,astoherself,shecouldnotatallenduretheideaofJaneFairfaxatDonwellAbbey.AMrs.Knightleyforthemalltogivewayto!-No-Mr.Knightleymustnevermarry.LittleHenrymustremaintheheirofDonwell.
PresentlyMr.Knightleylookedback,andcameandsatdownbyher.Theytalkedatfirstonlyoftheperformance.Hisadmirationwascertainlyverywarm;yetshethought,butforMrs.Weston,itwouldnothavestruckher.Asasortoftouchstone,however,shebegantospeakofhiskindnessinconveyingtheauntandniece;andthoughhisanswerwasinthespiritofcuttingthemattershort,shebelievedittoindicateonlyhisdisinclinationtodwellonanykindnessofhisown.
`Ioftenfeelconcern,\'saidshe,`thatIdarenotmakeourcarriagemoreusefulonsuchoccasions.ItisnotthatIamwithoutthewish;butyouknowhowimpossiblemyfatherwoulddeemitthatJamesshouldput-toforsuchapurpose.\'
`Quiteoutofthequestion,quiteoutofthequestion,\'hereplied;-`butyoumustoftenwishit,Iamsure.\'Andhesmiledwithsuchseemingpleasureattheconviction,thatshemustproceedanotherstep.