JaneAusten1775-1817.—Novelist,daughterofaclergyman,wasbornattherectoryofSteventonnearBasingstoke.Shereceivedaneducationsuperiortothatgenerallygiventogirlsofhertime,andtookearlytowriting,herfirsttalebeingbegunin1798.Herlifewasasingularlyuneventfulone,and,butforadisappointmentinlove,tranquilandhappy.In1801thefamilywenttoBath,thesceneofmanyepisodesinherwritings,andafterthedeathofherf.in1805toSouthampton,andlatertoChawton,avillageinHants,wheremostofhernovelswerewritten.Atendencytoconsumptionhavingmanifesteditself,sheremovedinMay,1817,toWinchesterfortheadvantageofskilledmedicalattendance,butsorapidwastheprogressofhermaladythatshediedtheretwomonthslater.
Ofhersixnovels,four—SenseandSensibility1811,PrideandPrejudice1813,MansfieldPark1814andEmma1816werepublishedanonymouslyduringherlife-time;andtheothers,NorthangerAbbey—writtenin1798—andPersuasion,finishedin1816,appearedafewmonthsafterherdeath,whenthenameoftheauthoresswasdivulged.Althoughhernovelswerefromthefirstwellreceived,itisonlyofcomparativelylateyearsthathergeniushasgainedthewideappreciationwhichitdeserves.Herstrengthliesinthedelineationofcharacter,especiallyofpersonsofherownsex,byanumberofminuteanddelicatetouchesarisingoutofthemostnaturalandeverydayincidentsinthelifeofthemiddleandupperclasses,fromwhichhersubjectsaregenerallytaken.
Hercharacters,thoughofquiteordinarytypes,aredrawnwithsuchwonderfulfirmnessandprecision,andwithsuchsignificantdetailastoretaintheirindividualityabsolutelyintactthroughtheirentiredevelopment,andtheyarenevercolouredbyherownpersonality.Herviewoflifeisgenialinthemain,withastrongdashofgentlebutkeensatire:sheappealsrarelyandslightlytothedeeperfeelings;andtheenforcementoftheexcellentlessonssheteachesisleftaltogethertothestory,withoutawordofformalmoralising.AmongheradmirerswasSirW.Scott,whosaid,“ThatyoungladyhasatalentfordescribingtheinvolvementsoffeelingsandcharactersofordinarylifewhichistomethemostwonderfulIevermetwith;”otherswereMacaulaywhothoughtthatintheworldtherewerenocompositionswhichapproachednearertoperfection,Coleridge,Southey,SydneySmith,andE.FitzGerald.
EmmaWoodhouse,handsome,clever,andrich,withacomfortablehomeandhappydisposition,seemedtounitesomeofthebestblessingsofexistence;andhadlivednearlytwenty-oneyearsintheworldwithverylittletodistressorvexher.
Shewastheyoungestofthetwodaughtersofamostaffectionate,indulgentfather;andhad,inconsequenceofhersister\'smarriage,beenmistressofhishousefromaveryearlyperiod.Hermotherhaddiedtoolongagoforhertohavemorethananindistinctremembranceofhercaresses;andherplacehadbeensuppliedbyanexcellentwomanasgoverness,whohadfallenlittleshortofamotherinaffection.
SixteenyearshadMissTaylorbeeninMr.Woodhouse\'sfamily,lessasagovernessthanafriend,veryfondofbothdaughters,butparticularlyofEmma.Betweenthemitwasmoretheintimacyofsisters.EvenbeforeMissTaylorhadceasedtoholdthenominalofficeofgoverness,themildnessofhertemperhadhardlyallowedhertoimposeanyrestraint;andtheshadowofauthoritybeingnowlongpassedaway,theyhadbeenlivingtogetherasfriendandfriendverymutuallyattached,andEmmadoingjustwhatsheliked;highlyesteemingMissTaylor\'sjudgment,butdirectedchieflybyherown.
Therealevils,indeed,ofEmma\'ssituationwerethepowerofhavingrathertoomuchherownway,andadispositiontothinkalittletoowellofherself;thesewerethedisadvantageswhichthreatenedalloytohermanyenjoyments.Thedanger,however,wasatpresentsounperceived,thattheydidnotbyanymeansrankasmisfortuneswithher.
Sorrowcame-agentlesorrow-butnotatallintheshapeofanydisagreeableconsciousness-MissTaylormarried.ItwasMissTaylor\'slosswhichfirstbroughtgrief.Itwasonthewedding-dayofthisbelovedfriendthatEmmafirstsatinmournfulthoughtofanycontinuance.Theweddingover,andthebride-peoplegone,herfatherandherselfwerelefttodinetogether,withnoprospectofathirdtocheeralongevening.Herfathercomposedhimselftosleepafterdinner,asusual,andshehadthenonlytositandthinkofwhatshehadlost.
Theeventhadeverypromiseofhappinessforherfriend.Mr.Westonwasamanofunexceptionablecharacter,easyfortune,suitableage,andpleasantmanners;andtherewassomesatisfactioninconsideringwithwhatself-denying,generousfriendshipshehadalwayswishedandpromotedthematch;butitwasablackmorning\'sworkforher.ThewantofMissTaylorwouldbefelteveryhourofeveryday.Sherecalledherpastkindness-thekindness,theaffectionofsixteenyears-howshehadtaughtandhowshehadplayedwithherfromfiveyearsold-howshehaddevotedallherpowerstoattachandamuseherinhealth-andhownursedherthroughthevariousillnessesofchildhood.
Alargedebtofgratitudewasowinghere;buttheintercourseofthelastsevenyears,theequalfootingandperfectunreservewhichhadsoonfollowedIsabella\'smarriage,ontheirbeinglefttoeachother,wasyetadearer,tendererrecollection.Shehadbeenafriendandcompanionsuchasfewpossessed:intelligent,well-informed,useful,gentle,knowingallthewaysofthefamily,interestedinallitsconcerns,andpeculiarlyinterestedinherself,ineverypleasure,everyschemeofhers-onetowhomshecouldspeakeverythoughtasitarose,andwhohadsuchanaffectionforherascouldneverfindfault.
Howwasshetobearthechange?-Itwastruethatherfriendwasgoingonlyhalfamilefromthem;butEmmawasawarethatgreatmustbethedifferencebetweenaMrs.Weston,onlyhalfamilefromthem,andaMissTaylorinthehouse;andwithallheradvantages,naturalanddomestic,shewasnowingreatdangerofsufferingfromintellectualsolitude.Shedearlylovedherfather,buthewasnocompanionforher.Hecouldnotmeetherinconversation,rationalorplayful.
TheeviloftheactualdisparityintheiragesandMr.Woodhousehadnotmarriedearlywasmuchincreasedbyhisconstitutionandhabits;forhavingbeenavaletudinarianallhislife,withoutactivityofmindorbody,hewasamucholdermaninwaysthaninyears;andthougheverywherebelovedforthefriendlinessofhisheartandhisamiabletemper,histalentscouldnothaverecommendedhimatanytime.
Hersister,thoughcomparativelybutlittleremovedbymatrimony,beingsettledinLondon,onlysixteenmilesoff,wasmuchbeyondherdailyreach;andmanyalongOctoberandNovembereveningmustbestruggledthroughatHartfield,beforeChristmasbroughtthenextvisitfromIsabellaandherhusband,andtheirlittlechildren,tofillthehouse,andgiveherpleasantsocietyagain.
Highbury,thelargeandpopulousvillage,almostamountingtoatown,towhichHartfield,inspiteofitsseparatelawn,andshrubberies,andname,didreallybelong,affordedhernoequals.TheWoodhouseswerefirstinconsequencethere.Alllookeduptothem.Shehadmanyacquaintanceintheplace,forherfatherwasuniversallycivil,butnotoneamongthemwhocouldbeacceptedinlieuofMissTaylorforevenhalfaday.Itwasamelancholychange;andEmmacouldnotbutsighoverit,andwishforimpossiblethings,tillherfatherawoke,andmadeitnecessarytobecheerful.Hisspiritsrequiredsupport.Hewasanervousman,easilydepressed;fondofeverybodythathewasusedto,andhatingtopartwiththem;hatingchangeofeverykind.Matrimony,astheoriginofchange,wasalwaysdisagreeable;andhewasbynomeansyetreconciledtohisowndaughter\'smarrying,norcouldeverspeakofherbutwithcompassion,thoughithadbeenentirelyamatchofaffection,whenhewasnowobligedtopartwithMissTaylortoo;andfromhishabitsofgentleselfishness,andofbeingneverabletosupposethatotherpeoplecouldfeeldifferentlyfromhimself,hewasverymuchdisposedtothinkMissTaylorhaddoneassadathingforherselfasforthem,andwouldhavebeenagreatdealhappierifshehadspentalltherestofherlifeatHartfield.Emmasmiledandchattedascheerfullyasshecould,tokeephimfromsuchthoughts;butwhenteacame,itwasimpossibleforhimnottosayexactlyashehadsaidatdinner,
`PoorMissTaylor!-Iwishshewerehereagain.
WhatapityitisthatMr.Westoneverthoughtofher!\'
`Icannotagreewithyou,papa;youknowIcannot.Mr.Westonissuchagood-humoured,pleasant,excellentman,thathethoroughlydeservesagoodwife;-andyouwouldnothavehadMissTaylorlivewithusforever,andbearallmyoddhumours,whenshemighthaveahouseofherown?\'
`Ahouseofherown!-Butwhereistheadvantageofahouseofherown?Thisisthreetimesaslarge-Andyouhaveneveranyoddhumours,mydear.\'
`Howoftenweshallbegoingtoseethem,andtheycomingtoseeus!-Weshallbealwaysmeeting!Wemustbegin;wemustgoandpayweddingvisitverysoon.\'
`Mydear,howamItogetsofar?Randallsissuchadistance.Icouldnotwalkhalfsofar.\'
`No,papa,nobodythoughtofyourwalking.Wemustgointhecarriage,tobesure.\'
`Thecarriage!ButJameswillnotliketoputthehorsestoforsuchalittleway;-andwherearethepoorhorsestobewhilewearepayingourvisit?\'
`TheyaretobeputintoMr.Weston\'sstable,papa.Youknowwehavesettledallthatalready.WetalkeditalloverwithMr.Westonlastnight.AndasforJames,youmaybeverysurehewillalwayslikegoingtoRandalls,becauseofhisdaughter\'sbeinghousemaidthere.Ionlydoubtwhetherhewillevertakeusanywhereelse.Thatwasyourdoing,papa.YougotHannahthatgoodplace.NobodythoughtofHannahtillyoumentionedher-Jamesissoobligedtoyou!\'
`IamverygladIdidthinkofher.Itwasverylucky,forIwouldnothavehadpoorJamesthinkhimselfslighteduponanyaccount;andIamsureshewillmakeaverygoodservant:sheisacivil,pretty-spokengirl;Ihaveagreatopinionofher.WheneverIseeher,shealwayscurtseysandasksmehowIdo,inaveryprettymanner;andwhenyouhavehadherheretodoneedlework,Iobserveshealwaysturnsthelockofthedoortherightwayandneverbangsit.Iamsureshewillbeanexcellentservant;anditwillbeagreatcomforttopoorMissTaylortohavesomebodyaboutherthatsheisusedtosee.WheneverJamesgoesovertoseehisdaughter,youknow,shewillbehearingofus.Hewillbeabletotellherhowweallare.\'
Emmasparednoexertionstomaintainthishappierflowofideas,andhoped,bythehelpofbackgammon,togetherfathertolerablythroughtheevening,andbeattackedbynoregretsbutherown.Thebackgammon-tablewasplaced;butavisitorimmediatelyafterwardswalkedinandmadeitunnecessary.
Mr.Knightley,asensiblemanaboutsevenoreight-and-thirty,wasnotonlyaveryoldandintimatefriendofthefamily,butparticularlyconnectedwithit,astheelderbrotherofIsabella\'shusband.HelivedaboutamilefromHighbury,wasafrequentvisitor,andalwayswelcome,andatthistimemorewelcomethanusual,ascomingdirectlyfromtheirmutualconnexionsinLondon.Hehadreturnedtoalatedinner,aftersomedays\'absence,andnowwalkeduptoHartfieldtosaythatallwerewellinBrunswickSquare.Itwasahappycircumstance,andanimatedMr.Woodhouseforsometime.Mr.Knightleyhadacheerfulmanner,whichalwaysdidhimgood;andhismanyinquiriesafter`poorIsabella\'andherchildrenwereansweredmostsatisfactorily.Whenthiswasover,Mr.Woodhousegratefullyobserved,`Itisverykindofyou,Mr.Knightley,tocomeoutatthislatehourtocalluponus.Iamafraidyoumusthavehadashockingwalk.\'
`Notatall,sir.Itisabeautifulmoonlightnight;andsomildthatImustdrawbackfromyourgreatfire.\'
`Butyoumusthavefounditverydampanddirty.Iwishyoumaynotcatchcold.\'
`Dirty,sir!Lookatmyshoes.Notaspeckonthem.\'
`Well!thatisquitesurprising,forwehavehadavastdealofrainhere.Itraineddreadfullyhardforhalfanhourwhilewewereatbreakfast.Iwantedthemtoputoffthewedding.\'
`Bythebye-Ihavenotwishedyoujoy.Beingprettywellawareofwhatsortofjoyyoumustbothbefeeling,Ihavebeeninnohurrywithmycongratulations;butIhopeitallwentofftolerablywell.Howdidyouallbehave?Whocriedmost?\'
`Ah!poorMissTaylor!\'Tisasadbusiness.\'
`PoorMr.andMissWoodhouse,ifyouplease;butIcannotpossiblysay``poorMissTaylor.\'\'IhaveagreatregardforyouandEmma;butwhenitcomestothequestionofdependenceorindependence!-Atanyrate,itmustbebettertohaveonlyonetopleasethantwo.\'
`Especiallywhenoneofthosetwoissuchafanciful,troublesomecreature!\'saidEmmaplayfully.`Thatiswhatyouhaveinyourhead,Iknow-andwhatyouwouldcertainlysayifmyfatherwerenotby.\'
`Ibelieveitisverytrue,mydear,indeed,\'saidMr.Woodhouse,withasigh.`IamafraidIamsometimesveryfancifulandtroublesome.\'
`Mydearestpapa!YoudonotthinkIcouldmeanyou,orsupposeMr.Knightleytomeanyou.Whatahorribleidea!Ohno!Imeantonlymyself.Mr.Knightleylovestofindfaultwithme,youknow-inajoke-itisallajoke.Wealwayssaywhatweliketooneanother.\'
Mr.Knightley,infact,wasoneofthefewpeoplewhocouldseefaultsinEmmaWoodhouse,andtheonlyonewhoevertoldherofthem:andthoughthiswasnotparticularlyagreeabletoEmmaherself,sheknewitwouldbesomuchlesssotoherfather,thatshewouldnothavehimreallysuspectsuchacircumstanceashernotbeingthoughtperfectbyeverybody.
`EmmaknowsIneverflatterher,\'saidMr.Knightley,`butImeantnoreflectiononanybody.MissTaylorhasbeenusedtohavetwopersonstoplease;shewillnowhavebutone.Thechancesarethatshemustbeagainer.\'
`Well,\'saidEmma,willingtoletitpass-`youwanttohearaboutthewedding;andIshallbehappytotellyou,forweallbehavedcharmingly.Everybodywaspunctual,everybodyintheirbestlooks:notatear,andhardlyalongfacetobeseen.Ohno;weallfeltthatweweregoingtobeonlyhalfamileapart,andweresureofmeetingeveryday.\'
`DearEmmabearseverythingsowell,\'saidherfather.`But,Mr.Knightley,sheisreallyverysorrytolosepoorMissTaylor,andIamsureshewillmisshermorethanshethinksfor.\'
Emmaturnedawayherhead,dividedbetweentearsandsmiles.`ItisimpossiblethatEmmashouldnotmisssuchacompanion,\'saidMr.Knightley.`Weshouldnotlikehersowellaswedo,sir,ifwecouldsupposeit;butsheknowshowmuchthemarriageistoMissTaylor\'sadvantage;sheknowshowveryacceptableitmustbe,atMissTaylor\'stimeoflife,tobesettledinahomeofherown,andhowimportanttohertobesecureofacomfortableprovision,andthereforecannotallowherselftofeelsomuchpainaspleasure.
EveryfriendofMissTaylormustbegladtohavehersohappilymarried.\'
`Andyouhaveforgottenonematterofjoytome,\'saidEmma,`andaveryconsiderableone-thatImadethematchmyself.Imadethematch,youknow,fouryearsago;andtohaveittakeplace,andbeprovedintheright,whensomanypeoplesaidMr.Westonwouldnevermarryagain,maycomfortmeforanything.\'
Mr.Knightleyshookhisheadather.Herfatherfondlyreplied,`Ah!mydear,Iwishyouwouldnotmakematchesandforetellthings,forwhateveryousayalwayscomestopass.Praydonotmakeanymorematches.\'
`Ipromiseyoutomakenoneformyself,papa;butImust,indeed,forotherpeople.Itisthegreatestamusementintheworld!Andaftersuchsuccess,youknow!-EverybodysaidthatMr.Westonwouldnevermarryagain.Ohdear,no!Mr.Weston,whohadbeenawidowersolong,andwhoseemedsoperfectlycomfortablewithoutawife,soconstantlyoccupiedeitherinhisbusinessintownoramonghisfriendshere,alwaysacceptablewhereverhewent,alwayscheerful-Mr.Westonneednotspendasingleeveningintheyearaloneifhedidnotlikeit.Ohno!Mr.Westoncertainlywouldnevermarryagain.Somepeopleeventalkedofapromisetohiswifeonherdeathbed,andothersofthesonandtheunclenotlettinghim.Allmannerofsolemnnonsensewastalkedonthesubject,butIbelievednoneofit.
`Eversincetheday-aboutfouryearsago-thatMissTaylorandImetwithhiminBroadwayLane,when,becauseitbegantodrizzle,hedartedawaywithsomuchgallantry,andborrowedtwoumbrellasforusfromFarmerMitchell\'s,Imadeupmymindonthesubject.Iplannedthematchfromthathour;andwhensuchsuccesshasblessedmeinthisinstance,dearpapa,youcannotthinkthatIshallleaveoffmatch-making.\'Idonotunderstandwhatyoumeanby``success,\'\'\'saidMr.Knightley.`Successsupposesendeavour.Yourtimehasbeenproperlyanddelicatelyspent,ifyouhavebeenendeavouringforthelastfouryearstobringaboutthismarriage.Aworthyemploymentforayounglady\'smind!Butif,whichIratherimagine,yourmakingthematch,asyoucallit,meansonlyyourplanningit,yoursayingtoyourselfoneidleday,``IthinkitwouldbeaverygoodthingforMissTaylorifMr.Westonweretomarryher,\'\'andsayingitagaintoyourselfeverynowandthenafterwards,whydoyoutalkofsuccess?Whereisyourmerit?Whatareyouproudof?Youmadealuckyguess;andthatisallthatcanbesaid.\'
`Andhaveyouneverknownthepleasureandtriumphofaluckyguess?-Ipityyou-Ithoughtyoucleverer-for,dependuponitaluckyguessisnevermerelyluck.Thereisalwayssometalentinit.Andastomypoorword``success,\'\'whichyouquarrelwith,IdonotknowthatIamsoentirelywithoutanyclaimtoit.Youhavedrawntwoprettypictures;butIthinktheremaybeathird-asomethingbetweenthedo-nothingandthedo-all.IfIhadnotpromotedMr.Weston\'svisitshere,andgivenmanylittleencouragements,andsmoothedmanylittlematters,itmightnothavecometoanythingafterall.IthinkyoumustknowHartfieldenoughtocomprehendthat.\'
`Astraightforward,open-heartedmanlikeWeston,andarational,unaffectedwomanlikeMissTaylor,maybesafelylefttomanagetheirownconcerns.Youaremorelikelytohavedoneharmtoyourself,thangoodtothem,byinterference.\'
`Emmaneverthinksofherself,ifshecandogoodtoothers,\'rejoinedMr.Woodhouse,understandingbutinpart.`But,mydear,praydonotmakeanymorematches;theyaresillythings,andbreakupone\'sfamilycirclegrievously.\'
`Onlyonemore,papa;onlyforMr.Elton.PoorMr.Elton!YoulikeMr.Elton,papa,-Imustlookaboutforawifeforhim.ThereisnobodyinHighburywhodeserveshim-andhehasbeenhereawholeyear,andhasfitteduphishousesocomfortably,thatitwouldbeashametohavehimsingleanylonger-andIthoughtwhenhewasjoiningtheirhandsto-day,helookedsoverymuchasifhewouldliketohavethesamekindofficedoneforhim!IthinkverywellofMr.Elton,andthisistheonlywayIhaveofdoinghimaservice.\'
`Mr.Eltonisaveryprettyyoungman,tobesure,andaverygoodyoungman,andIhaveagreatregardforhim.Butifyouwanttoshewhimanyattention,mydear,askhimtocomeanddinewithussomeday.Thatwillbeamuchbetterthing.IdaresayMr.Knightleywillbesokindastomeethim.\'
`Withagreatdealofpleasure,sir,atanytime,\'saidMr.Knightley,laughing,`andIagreewithyouentirely,thatitwillbeamuchbetterthing.Invitehimtodinner,Emma,andhelphimtothebestofthefishandthechicken,butleavehimtochusehisownwife.Dependuponit,amanofsixorseven-and-twentycantakecareofhimself.\'
CHAPTERII
Mr.WestonwasanativeofHighbury,andbornofarespectablefamily,whichforthelasttwoorthreegenerationshadbeenrisingintogentilityandproperty.Hehadreceivedagoodeducation,but,onsucceedingearlyinlifetoasmallindependence,hadbecomeindisposedforanyofthemorehomelypursuitsinwhichhisbrotherswereengaged,andhadsatisfiedanactive,cheerfulmindandsocialtemperbyenteringintothemilitiaofhiscounty,thenembodied.
CaptainWestonwasageneralfavourite;andwhenthechancesofhismilitarylifehadintroducedhimtoMissChurchill,ofagreatYorkshirefamily,andMissChurchillfellinlovewithhim,nobodywassurprized,exceptherbrotherandhiswife,whohadneverseenhim,andwhowerefullofprideandimportance,whichtheconnexionwouldoffend.
MissChurchill,however,beingofage,andwiththefullcommandofherfortune-thoughherfortuneborenoproportiontothefamily-estate-wasnottobedissuadedfromthemarriage,andittookplace,totheinfinitemortificationofMr.andMrs.Churchill,whothrewheroffwithduedecorum.Itwasanunsuitableconnexion,anddidnotproducemuchhappiness.Mrs.Westonoughttohavefoundmoreinit,forshehadahusbandwhosewarmheartandsweettempermadehimthinkeverythingduetoherinreturnforthegreatgoodnessofbeinginlovewithhim;butthoughshehadonesortofspirit,shehadnotthebest.Shehadresolutionenoughtopursueherownwillinspiteofherbrother,butnotenoughtorefrainfromunreasonableregretsatthatbrother\'sunreasonableanger,norfrommissingtheluxuriesofherformerhome.Theylivedbeyondtheirincome,butstillitwasnothingincomparisonofEnscombe:shedidnotceasetoloveherhusband,butshewantedatoncetobethewifeofCaptainWeston,andMissChurchillofEnscombe.
CaptainWeston,whohadbeenconsidered,especiallybytheChurchills,asmakingsuchanamazingmatch,wasprovedtohavemuchtheworstofthebargain;forwhenhiswifedied,afterathreeyears\'marriage,hewasratherapoorermanthanatfirst,andwithachildtomaintain.Fromtheexpenseofthechild,however,hewassoonrelieved.Theboyhad,withtheadditionalsofteningclaimofalingeringillnessofhismother\'s,beenthemeansofasortofreconciliation;andMr.andMrs.Churchill,havingnochildrenoftheirown,noranyotheryoungcreatureofequalkindredtocarefor,offeredtotakethewholechargeofthelittleFranksoonafterherdecease.Somescruplesandsomereluctancethewidower-fathermaybesupposedtohavefelt;butastheywereovercomebyotherconsiderations,thechildwasgivenuptothecareandthewealthoftheChurchills,andhehadonlyhisowncomforttoseek,andhisownsituationtoimproveashecould.
Acompletechangeoflifebecamedesirable.Hequittedthemilitiaandengagedintrade,havingbrothersalreadyestablishedinagoodwayinLondon,whichaffordedhimafavourableopening.Itwasaconcernwhichbroughtjustemploymentenough.HehadstillasmallhouseinHighbury,wheremostofhisleisuredayswerespent;andbetweenusefuloccupationandthepleasuresofsociety,thenexteighteenortwentyyearsofhislifepassedcheerfullyaway.Hehad,bythattime,realisedaneasycompetence-enoughtosecurethepurchaseofalittleestateadjoiningHighbury,whichhehadalwayslongedfor-enoughtomarryawomanasportionlessevenasMissTaylor,andtoliveaccordingtothewishesofhisownfriendlyandsocialdisposition.
ItwasnowsometimesinceMissTaylorhadbeguntoinfluencehisschemes;butasitwasnotthetyrannicinfluenceofyouthonyouth,ithadnotshakenhisdeterminationofneversettlingtillhecouldpurchaseRandalls,andthesaleofRandallswaslonglookedforwardto;buthehadgonesteadilyon,withtheseobjectsinview,tilltheywereaccomplished.Hehadmadehisfortune,boughthishouse,andobtainedhiswife;andwasbeginninganewperiodofexistence,witheveryprobabilityofgreaterhappinessthaninanyyetpassedthrough.Hehadneverbeenanunhappyman;hisowntemperhadsecuredhimfromthat,eveninhisfirstmarriage;buthissecondmustshewhimhowdelightfulawell-judgingandtrulyamiablewomancouldbe,andmustgivehimthepleasantestproofofitsbeingagreatdealbettertochoosethantobechosen,toexcitegratitudethantofeelit.
Hehadonlyhimselftopleaseinhischoice:hisfortunewashisown;forastoFrank,itwasmorethanbeingtacitlybroughtupashisuncle\'sheir,ithadbecomesoavowedanadoptionastohavehimassumethenameofChurchilloncomingofage.Itwasmostunlikely,therefore,thatheshouldeverwanthisfather\'sassistance.Hisfatherhadnoapprehensionofit.Theauntwasacapriciouswoman,andgovernedherhusbandentirely;butitwasnotinMr.Weston\'snaturetoimaginethatanycapricecouldbestrongenoughtoaffectonesodear,and,ashebelieved,sodeservedlydear.HesawhissoneveryyearinLondon,andwasproudofhim;andhisfondreportofhimasaveryfineyoungmanhadmadeHighburyfeelasortofprideinhimtoo.Hewaslookedonassufficientlybelongingtotheplacetomakehismeritsandprospectsakindofcommonconcern.
Mr.FrankChurchillwasoneoftheboastsofHighbury,andalivelycuriositytoseehimprevailed,thoughthecomplimentwassolittlereturnedthathehadneverbeenthereinhislife.Hiscomingtovisithisfatherhadbeenoftentalkedofbutneverachieved.
Now,uponhisfather\'smarriage,itwasverygenerallyproposed,asamostproperattention,thatthevisitshouldtakeplace.Therewasnotadissentientvoiceonthesubject,eitherwhenMrs.PerrydrankteawithMrs.andMissBates,orwhenMrs.andMissBatesreturnedthevisit.NowwasthetimeforMr.FrankChurchilltocomeamongthem;andthehopestrengthenedwhenitwasunderstoodthathehadwrittentohisnewmotherontheoccasion.Forafewdays,everymorningvisitinHighburyincludedsomementionofthehandsomeletterMrs.Westonhadreceived.`IsupposeyouhaveheardofthehandsomeletterMr.FrankChurchillhaswrittentoMrs.Weston?Iunderstanditwasaveryhandsomeletter,indeed.Mr.Woodhousetoldmeofit.Mr.Woodhousesawtheletter,andhesaysheneversawsuchahandsomeletterinhislife.\'
Itwas,indeed,ahighlyprizedletter.Mrs.Westonhad,ofcourse,formedaveryfavourableideaoftheyoungman;andsuchapleasingattentionwasanirresistibleproofofhisgreatgoodsense,andamostwelcomeadditiontoeverysourceandeveryexpressionofcongratulationwhichhermarriagehadalreadysecured.Shefeltherselfamostfortunatewoman;andshehadlivedlongenoughtoknowhowfortunateshemightwellbethought,wheretheonlyregretwasforapartialseparationfromfriendswhosefriendshipforherhadnevercooled,andwhocouldillbeartopartwithher.
Sheknewthatattimesshemustbemissed;andcouldnotthink,withoutpain,ofEmma\'slosingasinglepleasure,orsufferinganhour\'sennui,fromthewantofhercompanionableness:butdearEmmawasofnofeeblecharacter;shewasmoreequaltohersituationthanmostgirlswouldhavebeen,andhadsense,andenergy,andspiritsthatmightbehopedwouldbearherwellandhappilythroughitslittledifficultiesandprivations.AndthentherewassuchcomfortintheveryeasydistanceofRandallsfromHartfield,soconvenientforevensolitaryfemalewalking,andinMr.Weston\'sdispositionandcircumstances,whichwouldmaketheapproachingseasonnohindrancetotheirspendinghalftheeveningsintheweektogether.
HersituationwasaltogetherthesubjectofhoursofgratitudetoMrs.Weston,andofmomentsonlyofregret;andhersatisfaction——hermorethansatisfaction-hercheerfulenjoyment,wassojustandsoapparent,thatEmma,wellassheknewherfather,wassometimestakenbysurprizeathisbeingstillabletopity``poorMissTaylor,\'\'whentheyleftheratRandallsinthecentreofeverydomesticcomfort,orsawhergoawayintheeveningattendedbyherpleasanthusbandtoacarriageofherown.ButneverdidshegowithoutMr.Woodhouse\'sgivingagentlesigh,andsaying,`Ah,poorMissTaylor!Shewouldbeverygladtostay.\'
TherewasnorecoveringMissTaylor-normuchlikelihoodofceasingtopityher;butafewweeksbroughtsomealleviationtoMr.Woodhouse.Thecomplimentsofhisneighbourswereover;hewasnolongerteasedbybeingwishedjoyofsosorrowfulanevent;andthewedding-cake,whichhadbeenagreatdistresstohim,wasalleatup.Hisownstomachcouldbearnothingrich,andhecouldneverbelieveotherpeopletobedifferentfromhimself.Whatwasunwholesometohimheregardedasunfitforanybody;andhehad,therefore,earnestlytriedtodissuadethemfromhavinganywedding-cakeatall,andwhenthatprovedvain,asearnestlytriedtopreventanybody\'seatingit.HehadbeenatthepainsofconsultingMr.Perry,theapothecary,onthesubject.Mr.Perrywasanintelligent,gentlemanlikeman,whosefrequentvisitswereoneofthecomfortsofMr.Woodhouse\'slife;anduponbeingappliedto,hecouldnotbutacknowledgethoughitseemedratheragainstthebiasofinclinationthatwedding-cakemightcertainlydisagreewithmany-perhapswithmostpeople,unlesstakenmoderately.Withsuchanopinion,inconfirmationofhisown,Mr.Woodhousehopedtoinfluenceeveryvisitorofthenewlymarriedpair;butstillthecakewaseaten;andtherewasnorestforhisbenevolentnervestillitwasallgone.
TherewasastrangerumourinHighburyofallthelittlePerrysbeingseenwithasliceofMrs.Weston\'swedding-cakeintheirhands:butMr.Woodhousewouldneverbelieveit.
CHAPTERIII
Mr.Woodhousewasfondofsocietyinhisownway.Helikedverymuchtohavehisfriendscomeandseehim;andfromvariousunitedcauses,fromhislongresidenceatHartfield,andhisgoodnature,fromhisfortune,hishouse,andhisdaughter,hecouldcommandthevisitsofhisownlittlecircle,inagreatmeasure,asheliked.Hehadnotmuchintercoursewithanyfamiliesbeyondthatcircle;hishorroroflatehours,andlargedinner-parties,madehimunfitforanyacquaintancebutsuchaswouldvisithimonhisownterms.Fortunatelyforhim,Highbury,includingRandallsinthesameparish,andDonwellAbbeyintheparishadjoining,theseatofMr.Knightley,comprehendedmanysuch.Notunfrequently,throughEmma\'spersuasion,hehadsomeofthechosenandthebesttodinewithhim:buteveningpartieswerewhathepreferred;and,unlesshefanciedhimselfatanytimeunequaltocompany,therewasscarcelyaneveningintheweekinwhichEmmacouldnotmakeupacard-tableforhim.
Real,long-standingregardbroughttheWestonsandMr.Knightley;andbyMr.Elton,ayoungmanlivingalonewithoutlikingit,theprivilegeofexchanginganyvacanteveningofhisownblanksolitudefortheeleganciesandsocietyofMr.Woodhouse\'sdrawing-room,andthesmilesofhislovelydaughter,wasinnodangerofbeingthrownaway.
Afterthesecameasecondset;amongthemostcome-at-ableofwhomwereMrs.andMissBates,andMrs.Goddard,threeladiesalmostalwaysattheserviceofaninvitationfromHartfield,andwhowerefetchedandcarriedhomesooften,thatMr.WoodhousethoughtitnohardshipforeitherJamesorthehorses.Hadittakenplaceonlyonceayear,itwouldhavebeenagrievance.
Mrs.Bates,thewidowofaformervicarofHighbury,wasaveryoldlady,almostpasteverythingbutteaandquadrille.Shelivedwithhersingledaughterinaverysmallway,andwasconsideredwithalltheregardandrespectwhichaharmlessoldlady,undersuchuntowardcircumstances,canexcite.Herdaughterenjoyedamostuncommondegreeofpopularityforawomanneitheryoung,handsome,rich,normarried.MissBatesstoodintheveryworstpredicamentintheworldforhavingmuchofthepublicfavour;andshehadnointellectualsuperioritytomakeatonementtoherself,orfrightenthosewhomighthateherintooutwardrespect.Shehadneverboastedeitherbeautyorcleverness.Heryouthhadpassedwithoutdistinction,andhermiddleoflifewasdevotedtothecareofafailingmother,andtheendeavourtomakeasmallincomegoasfaraspossible.Andyetshewasahappywoman,andawomanwhomnoonenamedwithoutgood-will.Itwasherownuniversalgood-willandcontentedtemperwhichworkedsuchwonders.Shelovedeverybody,wasinterestedineverybody\'shappiness,quicksightedtoeverybody\'smerits;thoughtherselfamostfortunatecreature,andsurroundedwithblessingsinsuchanexcellentmother,andsomanygoodneighboursandfriends,andahomethatwantedfornothing.Thesimplicityandcheerfulnessofhernature,hercontentedandgratefulspirit,werearecommendationtoeverybody,andamineoffelicitytoherself.Shewasagreattalkeruponlittlematters,whichexactlysuitedMr.Woodhouse,fulloftrivialcommunicationsandharmlessgossip.
Mrs.GoddardwasthemistressofaSchool-notofaseminary,oranestablishment,oranythingwhichprofessed,inlongsentencesofrefinednonsense,tocombineliberalacquirementswithelegantmorality,uponnewprinciplesandnewsystems-andwhereyoungladiesforenormouspaymightbescrewedoutofhealthandintovanity-butareal,honest,old-fashionedBoarding-school,whereareasonablequantityofaccomplishmentsweresoldatareasonableprice,andwheregirlsmightbesenttobeoutoftheway,andscramblethemselvesintoalittleeducation,withoutanydangerofcomingbackprodigies.Mrs.Goddard\'sschoolwasinhighrepute-andverydeservedly;forHighburywasreckonedaparticularlyhealthyspot:shehadanamplehouseandgarden,gavethechildrenplentyofwholesomefood,letthemrunaboutagreatdealinthesummer,andinwinterdressedtheirchilblainswithherownhands.Itwasnowonderthatatrainoftwentyyoungcouplenowwalkedafterhertochurch.Shewasaplain,motherlykindofwoman,whohadworkedhardinheryouth,andnowthoughtherselfentitledtotheoccasionalholidayofatea-visit;andhavingformerlyowedmuchtoMr.Woodhouse\'skindness,felthisparticularclaimonhertoleaveherneatparlour,hungroundwithfancy-work,whenevershecould,andwinorloseafewsixpencesbyhisfireside.
TheseweretheladieswhomEmmafoundherselfveryfrequentlyabletocollect;andhappywasshe,forherfather\'ssake,inthepower;though,asfarasshewasherselfconcerned,itwasnoremedyfortheabsenceofMrs.Weston.Shewasdelightedtoseeherfatherlookcomfortable,andverymuchpleasedwithherselfforcontrivingthingssowell;butthequietprosingsofthreesuchwomenmadeherfeelthateveryeveningsospentwasindeedoneofthelongeveningsshehadfearfullyanticipated.
Asshesatonemorning,lookingforwardtoexactlysuchacloseofthepresentday,anotewasbroughtfromMrs.Goddard,requesting,inmostrespectfulterms,tobeallowedtobringMissSmithwithher;amostwelcomerequest:forMissSmithwasagirlofseventeen,whomEmmaknewverywellbysight,andhadlongfeltaninterestin,onaccountofherbeauty.Averygraciousinvitationwasreturned,andtheeveningnolongerdreadedbythefairmistressofthemansion.
HarrietSmithwasthenaturaldaughterofsomebody.Somebodyhadplacedher,severalyearsback,atMrs.Goddard\'sschool,andsomebodyhadlatelyraisedherfromtheconditionofscholartothatofparlour-boarder.Thiswasallthatwasgenerallyknownofherhistory.ShehadnovisiblefriendsbutwhathadbeenacquiredatHighbury,andwasnowjustreturnedfromalongvisitinthecountrytosomeyoungladieswhohadbeenatschooltherewithher.
Shewasaveryprettygirl,andherbeautyhappenedtobeofasortwhichEmmaparticularlyadmired.Shewasshort,plump,andfair,withafinebloom,blueeyes,lighthair,regularfeatures,andalookofgreatsweetness,and,beforetheendoftheevening,Emmawasasmuchpleasedwithhermannersasherperson,andquitedeterminedtocontinuetheacquaintance.
ShewasnotstruckbyanythingremarkablycleverinMissSmith\'sconversation,butshefoundheraltogetherveryengaging-notinconvenientlyshy,notunwillingtotalk-andyetsofarfrompushing,shewingsoproperandbecomingadeference,seemingsopleasantlygratefulforbeingadmittedtoHartfield,andsoartlesslyimpressedbytheappearanceofeverythinginsosuperiorastyletowhatshehadbeenusedto,thatshemusthavegoodsense,anddeserveencouragement.Encouragementshouldbegiven.
Thosesoftblueeyes,andallthosenaturalgraces,shouldnotbewastedontheinferiorsocietyofHighburyanditsconnexions.Theacquaintanceshehadalreadyformedwereunworthyofher.Thefriendsfromwhomshehadjustparted,thoughverygoodsortofpeople,mustbedoingherharm.TheywereafamilyofthenameofMartin,whomEmmawellknewbycharacter,asrentingalargefarmofMr.Knightley,andresidingintheparishofDonwell-verycreditably,shebelieved-sheknewMr.Knightleythoughthighlyofthem-buttheymustbecoarseandunpolished,andveryunfittobetheintimatesofagirlwhowantedonlyalittlemoreknowledgeandelegancetobequiteperfect.Shewouldnoticeher;shewouldimproveher;shewoulddetachherfromherbadacquaintance,andintroduceherintogoodsociety;shewouldformheropinionsandhermanners.Itwouldbeaninteresting,andcertainlyaverykindundertaking;highlybecomingherownsituationinlife,herleisure,andpowers.