Shesoonresolved,equallyasadutyandapleasure,toemployhalfanhourofthisholidayofspiritsincallingonMissFairfax-Sheoughttogo-andshewaslongingtoseeher;theresemblanceoftheirpresentsituationsincreasingeveryothermotiveofgoodwill.Itwouldbeasecretsatisfaction;buttheconsciousnessofasimilarityofprospectwouldcertainlyaddtotheinterestwithwhichsheshouldattendtoanythingJanemightcommunicate.
Shewent-shehaddrivenonceunsuccessfullytothedoor,buthadnotbeenintothehousesincethemorningafterBoxHill,whenpoorJanehadbeeninsuchdistressashadfilledherwithcompassion,thoughalltheworstofhersufferingshadbeenunsuspected-Thefearofbeingstillunwelcome,determinedher,thoughassuredoftheirbeingathome,towaitinthepassage,andsenduphername-SheheardPattyannouncingit;butnosuchbustlesucceededaspoorMissBateshadbeforemadesohappilyintelligible-No;sheheardnothingbuttheinstantreplyof,`Beghertowalkup;\'-andamomentafterwardsshewasmetonthestairsbyJaneherself,comingeagerlyforward,asifnootherreceptionofherwerefeltsufficient-Emmahadneverseenherlooksowell,solovely,soengaging.Therewasconsciousness,animation,andwarmth;therewaseverythingwhichhercountenanceormannercouldeverhavewanted-Shecameforwardwithanofferedhand;andsaid,inalow,butveryfeelingtone,
`Thisismostkind,indeed!-MissWoodhouse,itisimpossibleformetoexpress-Ihopeyouwillbelieve-Excusemeforbeingsoentirelywithoutwords.\'
Emmawasgratified,andwouldsoonhaveshewnnowantofwords,ifthesoundofMrs.Elton\'svoicefromthesitting-roomhadnotcheckedher,andmadeitexpedienttocompressallherfriendlyandallhercongratulatorysensationsintoavery,veryearnestshakeofthehand.
Mrs.BatesandMrs.Eltonweretogether.MissBateswasout,whichaccountedfortheprevioustranquillity.EmmacouldhavewishedMrs.Eltonelsewhere;butshewasinahumourtohavepatiencewitheverybody;andasMrs.Eltonmetherwithunusualgraciousness,shehopedtherencontrewoulddothemnoharm.