Shewassobusyinadmiringthosesoftblueeyes,intalkingandlistening,andformingalltheseschemesinthein-betweens,thattheeveningflewawayataveryunusualrate;andthesupper-table,whichalwaysclosedsuchparties,andforwhichshehadbeenusedtositandwatchtheduetime,wasallsetoutandready,andmovedforwardstothefire,beforeshewasaware.Withanalacritybeyondthecommonimpulseofaspiritwhichyetwasneverindifferenttothecreditofdoingeverythingwellandattentively,withtherealgood-willofaminddelightedwithitsownideas,didshethendoallthehonoursofthemeal,andhelpandrecommendthemincedchickenandscallopedoysters,withanurgencywhichsheknewwouldbeacceptabletotheearlyhoursandcivilscruplesoftheirguests.
UponsuchoccasionspoorMr.Woodhousesfeelingswereinsadwarfare.Helovedtohavetheclothlaid,becauseithadbeenthefashionofhisyouth,buthisconvictionofsuppersbeingveryunwholesomemadehimrathersorrytoseeanythingputonit;andwhilehishospitalitywouldhavewelcomedhisvisitorstoeverything,hiscarefortheirhealthmadehimgrievethattheywouldeat.
Suchanothersmallbasinofthingruelashisownwasallthathecould,withthoroughself-approbation,recommend;thoughhemightconstrainhimself,whiletheladieswerecomfortablyclearingthenicerthings,tosay:
`Mrs.Bates,letmeproposeyourventuringononeoftheseeggs.Aneggboiledverysoftisnotunwholesome.Serleunderstandsboilinganeggbetterthananybody.Iwouldnotrecommendaneggboiledbyanybodyelse;butyouneednotbeafraid,theyareverysmall,yousee-oneofoursmalleggswillnothurtyou.MissBates,letEmmahelpyoutoalittlebitoftart-averylittlebit.Oursareallapple-tarts.Youneednotbeafraidofunwholesomepreserveshere.Idonotadvisethecustard.Mrs.Goddard,whatsayyoutohalfaglassofwine?Asmallhalf-glass,putintoatumblerofwater?Idonotthinkitcoulddisagreewithyou.\'
Emmaallowedherfathertotalk-butsuppliedhervisitorsinamuchmoresatisfactorystyle,andonthepresenteveninghadparticularpleasureinsendingthemawayhappy.ThehappinessofMissSmithwasquiteequaltoherintentions.MissWoodhousewassogreatapersonageinHighbury,thattheprospectoftheintroductionhadgivenasmuchpanicaspleasure;butthehumble,gratefullittlegirlwentoffwithhighlygratifiedfeelings,delightedwiththeaffabilitywithwhichMissWoodhousehadtreatedheralltheevening,andactuallyshakenhandswithheratlast!
CHAPTERIV
HarrietSmith\'sintimacyatHartfieldwassoonasettledthing.Quickanddecidedinherways,Emmalostnotimeininviting,encouraging,andtellinghertocomeveryoften;andastheiracquaintanceincreased,sodidtheirsatisfactionineachother.Asawalkingcompanion,Emmahadveryearlyforeseenhowusefulshemightfindher.InthatrespectMrs.Weston\'slosshadbeenimportant.Herfatherneverwentbeyondtheshrubbery,wheretwodivisionsofthegroundsufficedhimforhislongwalk,orhisshort,astheyearvaried;andsinceMrs.Weston\'smarriageherexercisehadbeentoomuchconfined.ShehadventuredoncealonetoRandalls,butitwasnotpleasant;andaHarrietSmith,therefore,onewhomshecouldsummonatanytimetoawalk,wouldbeavaluableadditiontoherprivileges.Butineveryrespect,asshesawmoreofher,sheapprovedher,andwasconfirmedinallherkinddesigns.
Harrietcertainlywasnotclever,butshehadasweet,docile,gratefuldisposition,wastotallyfreefromconceit,andonlydesiringtobeguidedbyanyoneshelookedupto.Herearlyattachmenttoherselfwasveryamiable;andherinclinationforgoodcompany,andpowerofappreciatingwhatwaselegantandclever,shewedthattherewasnowantoftaste,thoughstrengthofunderstandingmustnotbeexpected.AltogethershewasquiteconvincedofHarrietSmith\'sbeingexactlytheyoungfriendshewanted-exactlythesomethingwhichherhomerequired.SuchafriendasMrs.Westonwasoutofthequestion.Twosuchcouldneverbegranted.Twosuchshedidnotwant.Itwasquiteadifferentsortofthing,asentimentdistinctandindependent.Mrs.Westonwastheobjectofaregardwhichhaditsbasisingratitudeandesteem.Harrietwouldbelovedasonetowhomshecouldbeuseful.ForMrs.Westontherewasnothingtobedone;forHarrieteverything.
Herfirstattemptsatusefulnesswereinanendeavourtofindoutwhoweretheparents,butHarrietcouldnottell.Shewasreadytotelleverythinginherpower,butonthissubjectquestionswerevain.Emmawasobligedtofancywhatsheliked-butshecouldneverbelievethatinthesamesituationsheshouldnothavediscoveredthetruth.Harriethadnopenetration.ShehadbeensatisfiedtohearandbelievejustwhatMrs.Goddardchosetotellher;andlookednofarther.
Mrs.Goddard,andtheteachers,andthegirlsandtheaffairsoftheschoolingeneral,formednaturallyagreatpartoftheconversation-andbutforheracquaintancewiththeMartinsofAbbey-MillFarm,itmusthavebeenthewhole.ButtheMartinsoccupiedherthoughtsagooddeal;shehadspenttwoveryhappymonthswiththem,andnowlovedtotalkofthepleasuresofhervisit,anddescribethemanycomfortsandwondersoftheplace.Emmaencouragedhertalkativeness-amusedbysuchapictureofanothersetofbeings,andenjoyingtheyouthfulsimplicitywhichcouldspeakwithsomuchexultationofMrs.Martin\'shaving`twoparlours,twoverygoodparlours,indeed;oneofthemquiteaslargeasMrs.Goddard\'sdrawing-room;andofherhavinganuppermaidwhohadlivedfive-and-twentyyearswithher;andoftheirhavingeightcows,twoofthemAlderneys,andonealittleWelchcow,averyprettylittleWelchcowindeed;andofMrs.Martin\'ssayingasshewassofondofit,itshouldbecalledhercow;andoftheirhavingaveryhandsomesummer-houseintheirgarden,wheresomedaynextyeartheywerealltodrinktea:-averyhandsomesummer-house,largeenoughtoholdadozenpeople.\'
Forsometimeshewasamused,withoutthinkingbeyondtheimmediatecause;butasshecametounderstandthefamilybetter,otherfeelingsarose.Shehadtakenupawrongidea,fancyingitwasamotheranddaughter,asonandson\'swife,whoalllivedtogether;butwhenitappearedthattheMr.Martin,whoboreapartinthenarrative,andwasalwaysmentionedwithapprobationforhisgreatgood-natureindoingsomethingorother,wasasingleman;thattherewasnoyoungMrs.Martin,nowifeinthecase;shedidsuspectdangertoherpoorlittlefriendfromallthishospitalityandkindness,andthat,ifshewerenottakencareof,shemightberequiredtosinkherselfforever.
Withthisinspiritingnotion,herquestionsincreasedinnumberandmeaning;andsheparticularlyledHarriettotalkmoreofMr.Martin,andtherewasevidentlynodisliketoit.Harrietwasveryreadytospeakofthesharehehadhadintheirmoonlightwalksandmerryeveninggames;anddweltagooddealuponhisbeingsoverygood-humouredandobliging.Hehadgonethreemilesroundonedayinordertobringhersomewalnuts,becauseshehadsaidhowfondshewasofthem,andineverythingelsehewassoveryobliging.Hehadhisshepherd\'ssonintotheparlouronenightonpurposetosingtoher.Shewasveryfondofsinging.Hecouldsingalittlehimself.Shebelievedhewasveryclever,andunderstoodeverything.Hehadaveryfineflock,and,whileshewaswiththem,hehadbeenbidmoreforhiswoolthananybodyinthecountry.Shebelievedeverybodyspokewellofhim.Hismotherandsisterswereveryfondofhim.Mrs.Martinhadtoldheronedayandtherewasablushasshesaidit,thatitwasimpossibleforanybodytobeabetterson,andthereforeshewassure,wheneverhemarried,hewouldmakeagoodhusband.Notthatshewantedhimtomarry.Shewasinnohurryatall.
`Welldone,Mrs.Martin!\'thoughtEmma.`Youknowwhatyouareabout.\'
`Andwhenshehadcomeaway,Mrs.MartinwassoverykindastosendMrs.Goddardabeautifulgoose-thefinestgooseMrs.Goddardhadeverseen.Mrs.GoddardhaddresseditonaSunday,andaskedallthethreeteachers,MissNash,andMissPrince,andMissRichardson,tosupwithher.\'
`Mr.Martin,Isuppose,isnotamanofinformationbeyondthelineofhisownbusiness?Hedoesnotread?\'
`Ohyes!-thatis,no-Idonotknow-butIbelievehehasreadagooddeal-butnotwhatyouwouldthinkanythingof.HereadstheAgriculturalReports,andsomeotherbooksthatlayinoneofthewindowseats-buthereadsallthemtohimself.Butsometimesofanevening,beforewewenttocards,hewouldreadsomethingaloudoutoftheElegantExtracts,veryentertaining.AndIknowhehasreadtheVicarofWakefield.HeneverreadtheRomanceoftheForest,norTheChildrenoftheAbbey.HehadneverheardofsuchbooksbeforeImentionedthem,butheisdeterminedtogetthemnowassoonaseverhecan.\'
Thenextquestionwas-
`WhatsortoflookingmanisMr.Martin?\'
`Oh!nothandsome-notatallhandsome.Ithoughthimveryplainatfirst,butIdonotthinkhimsoplainnow.Onedoesnot,youknow,afteratime.Butdidyouneverseehim?HeisinHighburyeverynowandthen,andheissuretoridethrougheveryweekinhiswaytoKingston.Hehaspassedyouveryoften.\'
`Thatmaybe,andImayhaveseenhimfiftytimes,butwithouthavinganyideaofhisname.Ayoungfarmer,whetheronhorsebackoronfoot,istheverylastsortofpersontoraisemycuriosity.TheyeomanryarepreciselytheorderofpeoplewithwhomIfeelIcanhavenothingtodo.Adegreeortwolower,andacreditableappearancemightinterestme;Imighthopetobeusefultotheirfamiliesinsomewayorother.Butafarmercanneednoneofmyhelp,andis,therefore,inonesense,asmuchabovemynoticeasineveryotherheisbelowit.\'
`Tobesure.Ohyes!Itisnotlikelyyoushouldeverhaveobservedhim;butheknowsyouverywellindeed-Imeanbysight.\'
`Ihavenodoubtofhisbeingaveryrespectableyoungman.Iknow,indeed,thatheisso,and,assuch,wishhimwell.Whatdoyouimaginehisagetobe?\'
`Hewasfour-and-twentythe8thoflastJune,andmybirthdayisthe23rdjustafortnightandaday\'sdifference-whichisveryodd.\'
`Onlyfour-and-twenty.Thatistooyoungtosettle.Hismotherisperfectlyrightnottobeinahurry.Theyseemverycomfortableastheyare,andifsheweretotakeanypainstomarryhim,shewouldprobablyrepentit.Sixyearshence,ifhecouldmeetwithagoodsortofyoungwomaninthesamerankashisown,withalittlemoney,itmightbeverydesirable.\'
`Sixyearshence!DearMissWoodhouse,hewouldbethirtyyearsold!\'
`Well,andthatisasearlyasmostmencanaffordtomarry,whoarenotborntoanindependence.Mr.Martin,Iimagine,hashisfortuneentirelytomake-cannotbeatallbeforehandwiththeworld.Whatevermoneyhemightcomeintowhenhisfatherdied,whateverhisshareofthefamilyproperty,itis,Idaresay,allafloat,allemployedinhisstock,andsoforth;andthough,withdiligenceandgoodluck,hemayberichintime,itisnexttoimpossiblethatheshouldhaverealisedanythingyet.\'
`Tobesure,soitis.Buttheyliveverycomfortably.Theyhavenoindoorsman,elsetheydonotwantforanything;andMrs.Martintalksoftakingaboyanotheryear.\'
`Iwishyoumaynotgetintoascrape,Harriet,wheneverhedoesmarry;-Imean,astobeingacquaintedwithhiswife-forthoughhissisters,fromasuperioreducation,arenottobealtogetherobjectedto,itdoesnotfollowthathemightmarryanybodyatallfitforyoutonotice.Themisfortuneofyourbirthoughttomakeyouparticularlycarefulastoyourassociates.Therecanbenodoubtofyourbeingagentleman\'sdaughter,andyoumustsupportyourclaimtothatstationbyeverythingwithinyourownpower,ortherewillbeplentyofpeoplewhowouldtakepleasureindegradingyou.\'
`Yes,tobesure,Isupposethereare.ButwhileIvisitatHartfield,andyouaresokindtome,MissWoodhouse,Iamnotafraidofwhatanybodycando.\'
`Youunderstandtheforceofinfluenceprettywell,Harriet;butIwouldhaveyousofirmlyestablishedingoodsociety,astobeindependentevenofHartfieldandMissWoodhouse.Iwanttoseeyoupermanentlywellconnected,andtothatenditwillbeadvisabletohaveasfewoddacquaintanceasmaybe;and,therefore,IsaythatifyoushouldstillbeinthiscountrywhenMr.Martinmarries,Iwishyoumaynotbedrawninbyyourintimacywiththesisters,tobeacquaintedwiththewife,whowillprobablybesomemerefarmer\'sdaughter,withouteducation.\'
`Tobesure.Yes.NotthatIthinkMr.Martinwouldevermarryanybodybutwhathadhadsomeeducation-andbeenverywellbroughtup.However,Idonotmeantosetupmyopinionagainstyour\'s-andIamsureIshallnotwishfortheacquaintanceofhiswife.IshallalwayshaveagreatregardfortheMissMartins,especiallyElizabeth,andshouldbeverysorrytogivethemup,fortheyarequiteaswelleducatedasme.Butifhemarriesaveryignorant,vulgarwoman,certainlyIhadbetternotvisither,ifIcanhelpit.\'
Emmawatchedherthroughthefluctuationsofthisspeech,andsawnoalarmingsymptomsoflove.Theyoungmanhadbeenthefirstadmirer,butshetrustedtherewasnootherhold,andthattherewouldbenoseriousdifficulty,onHarriet\'sside,toopposeanyfriendlyarrangementofherown.
TheymetMr.Martintheverynextday,astheywerewalkingontheDonwellroad.Hewasonfoot,andafterlookingveryrespectfullyather,lookedwithmostunfeignedsatisfactionathercompanion.Emmawasnotsorrytohavesuchanopportunityofsurvey;andwalkingafewyardsforward,whiletheytalkedtogether,soonmadeherquickeyesufficientlyacquaintedwithMr.RobertMartin.Hisappearancewasveryneat,andhelookedlikeasensibleyoungman,buthispersonhadnootheradvantage;andwhenhecametobecontrastedwithgentlemen,shethoughthemustloseallthegroundhehadgainedinHarriet\'sinclination.Harrietwasnotinsensibleofmanner;shehadvoluntarilynoticedherfather\'sgentlenesswithadmirationaswellaswonder.Mr.Martinlookedasifhedidnotknowwhatmannerwas.
Theyremainedbutafewminutestogether,asMissWoodhousemustnotbekeptwaiting;andHarrietthencamerunningtoherwithasmilingface,andinaflutterofspirits,whichMissWoodhousehopedverysoontocompose.
`Onlythinkofourhappeningtomeethim!-Howveryodd!Itwasquiteachance,hesaid,thathehadnotgoneroundbyRandalls.Hedidnotthinkweeverwalkedthisroad.HethoughtwewalkedtowardsRandallsmostdays.HehasnotbeenabletogettheRomanceoftheForestyet.HewassobusythelasttimehewasatKingstonthathequiteforgotit,buthegoesagainto-morrow.Soveryoddweshouldhappentomeet!Well,MissWoodhouse,ishelikewhatyouexpected?Whatdoyouthinkofhim?Doyouthinkhimsoveryplain?\'
`Heisveryplain,undoubtedly-remarkablyplain:-butthatisnothingcomparedwithhisentirewantofgentility.Ihadnorighttoexpectmuch,andIdidnotexpectmuch;butIhadnoideathathecouldbesoveryclownish,sototallywithoutair.Ihadimaginedhim,Iconfess,adegreeortwonearergentility.\'
`Tobesure,\'saidHarriet,inamortifiedvoice,`heisnotsogenteelasrealgentlemen.\'
`Ithink,Harriet,sinceyouracquaintancewithus,youhavebeenrepeatedlyinthecompanyofsomesuchveryrealgentlemen,thatyoumustyourselfbestruckwiththedifferenceinMr.Martin.AtHartfield,youhavehadverygoodspecimensofwelleducated,wellbredmen.Ishouldbesurprizedif,afterseeingthem,youcouldbeincompanywithMr.Martinagainwithoutperceivinghimtobeaveryinferiorcreature-andratherwonderingatyourselfforhavingeverthoughthimatallagreeablebefore.Donotyoubegintofeelthatnow?Werenotyoustruck?Iamsureyoumusthavebeenstruckbyhisawkwardlookandabruptmanner,andtheuncouthnessofavoicewhichIheardtobewhollyunmodulatedasIstoodhere.\'
`Certainly,heisnotlikeMr.Knightley.HehasnotsuchafineairandwayofwalkingasMr.Knightley.Iseethedifferenceplainenough.ButMr.Knightleyissoveryfineaman!\'
`Mr.Knightley\'sairissoremarkablygoodthatitisnotfairtocompareMr.Martinwithhim.YoumightnotseeoneinahundredwithgentlemansoplainlywrittenasinMr.Knightley.Butheisnottheonlygentlemanyouhavebeenlatelyusedto.WhatsayyoutoMr.WestonandMr.Elton?CompareMr.Martinwitheitherofthem.Comparetheirmannerofcarryingthemselves;ofwalking;ofspeaking;ofbeingsilent.Youmustseethedifference.\'
`Ohyes!-thereisagreatdifference.ButMr.Westonisalmostanoldman.Mr.Westonmustbebetweenfortyandfifty.\'
`Whichmakeshisgoodmannersthemorevaluable.Theolderapersongrows,Harriet,themoreimportantitisthattheirmannersshouldnotbebad;themoreglaringanddisgustinganyloudness,orcoarseness,orawkwardnessbecomes.Whatispassableinyouthisdetestableinlaterage.Mr.Martinisnowawkwardandabrupt;whatwillhebeatMr.Weston\'stimeoflife?\'
`Thereisnosaying,indeed,\'repliedHarrietrathersolemnly.
`Buttheremaybeprettygoodguessing.Hewillbeacompletelygross,vulgarfarmer,totallyinattentivetoappearances,andthinkingofnothingbutprofitandloss.\'
`Willhe,indeed?Thatwillbeverybad.\'
`Howmuchhisbusinessengrosseshimalreadyisveryplainfromthecircumstanceofhisforgettingtoinquireforthebookyourecommended.Hewasagreatdealtoofullofthemarkettothinkofanythingelse-whichisjustasitshouldbe,forathrivingman.Whathashetodowithbooks?AndIhavenodoubtthathewillthrive,andbeaveryrichmanintime-andhisbeingilliterateandcoarseneednotdisturbus.\'
`Iwonderhedidnotrememberthebook\'-wasallHarriet\'sanswer,andspokenwithadegreeofgravedispleasurewhichEmmathoughtmightbesafelylefttoitself.She,therefore,saidnomoreforsometime.Hernextbeginningwas,
`Inonerespect,perhaps,Mr.Elton\'smannersaresuperiortoMr.Knightley\'sorMr.Weston\'s.Theyhavemoregentleness.Theymightbemoresafelyheldupasapattern.Thereisanopenness,aquickness,almostabluntnessinMr.Weston,whicheverybodylikesinhim,becausethereissomuchgood-humourwithit-butthatwouldnotdotobecopied.NeitherwouldMr.Knightley\'sdownright,decided,commandingsortofmanner,thoughitsuitshimverywell;hisfigure,andlook,andsituationinlifeseemtoallowit;butifanyyoungmanweretosetaboutcopyinghim,hewouldnotbesufferable.Onthecontrary,IthinkayoungmanmightbeverysafelyrecommendedtotakeMr.Eltonasamodel.Mr.Eltonisgood-humoured,cheerful,obliging,andgentle.Heseemstometobegrownparticularlygentleoflate.Idonotknowwhetherhehasanydesignofingratiatinghimselfwitheitherofus,Harriet,byadditionalsoftness,butitstrikesmethathismannersaresofterthantheyusedtobe.Ifhemeansanything,itmustbetopleaseyou.DidnotItellyouwhathesaidofyoutheotherday?\'
ShethenrepeatedsomewarmpersonalpraisewhichshehaddrawnfromMr.Elton,andnowdidfulljusticeto;andHarrietblushedandsmiled,andsaidshehadalwaysthoughtMr.Eltonveryagreeable.
Mr.EltonwastheverypersonfixedonbyEmmafordrivingtheyoungfarmeroutofHarriet\'shead.Shethoughtitwouldbeanexcellentmatch;andonlytoopalpablydesirable,natural,andprobable,forhertohavemuchmeritinplanningit.Shefeareditwaswhateverybodyelsemustthinkofandpredict.Itwasnotlikely,however,thatanybodyshouldhaveequalledherinthedateoftheplan,asithadenteredherbrainduringtheveryfirsteveningofHarriet\'scomingtoHartfield.Thelongersheconsideredit,thegreaterwashersenseofitsexpediency.Mr.Elton\'ssituationwasmostsuitable,quitethegentlemanhimself,andwithoutlowconnexions;atthesametime,notofanyfamilythatcouldfairlyobjecttothedoubtfulbirthofHarriet.Hehadacomfortablehomeforher,andEmmaimaginedaverysufficientincome;forthoughthevicarageofHighburywasnotlarge,hewasknowntohavesomeindependentproperty;andshethoughtveryhighlyofhimasagood-humoured,well-meaning,respectableyoungman,withoutanydeficiencyofusefulunderstandingorknowledgeoftheworld.
ShehadalreadysatisfiedherselfthathethoughtHarrietabeautifulgirl,whichshetrusted,withsuchfrequentmeetingsatHartfield,wasfoundationenoughonhisside;andonHarriet\'stherecouldbelittledoubtthattheideaofbeingpreferredbyhimwouldhavealltheusualweightandefficacy.Andhewasreallyaverypleasingyoungman,ayoungmanwhomanywomannotfastidiousmightlike.Hewasreckonedveryhandsome;hispersonmuchadmiredingeneral,thoughnotbyher,therebeingawantofeleganceoffeaturewhichshecouldnotdispensewith:-butthegirlwhocouldbegratifiedbyaRobertMartin\'sridingaboutthecountrytogetwalnutsforhermightverywellbeconqueredbyMr.Elton\'sadmiration.
CHAPTERV
`Idonotknowwhatyouropinionmaybe,Mrs.Weston,\'saidMr.Knightley,`ofthisgreatintimacybetweenEmmaandHarrietSmith,butIthinkitabadthing.\'
`Abadthing!Doyoureallythinkitabadthing?-whyso?\'
`Ithinktheywillneitherofthemdotheotheranygood.\'
`Yousurprizeme!EmmamustdoHarrietgood:andbysupplyingherwithanewobjectofinterest,HarrietmaybesaidtodoEmmagood.Ihavebeenseeingtheirintimacywiththegreatestpleasure.Howverydifferentlywefeel!-Notthinktheywilldoeachotheranygood!ThiswillcertainlybethebeginningofoneofourquarrelsaboutEmma,Mr.Knightley.\'
`PerhapsyouthinkIamcomeonpurposetoquarrelwithyou,knowingWestontobeout,andthatyoumuststillfightyourownbattle.\'
`Mr.Westonwouldundoubtedlysupportme,ifhewerehere,forhethinksexactlyasIdoonthesubject.Wewerespeakingofitonlyyesterday,andagreeinghowfortunateitwasforEmma,thatthereshouldbesuchagirlinHighburyforhertoassociatewith.Mr.Knightley,Ishallnotallowyoutobeafairjudgeinthiscase.Youaresomuchusedtolivealone,thatyoudonotknowthevalueofacompanion;and,perhapsnomancanbeagoodjudgeofthecomfortawomanfeelsinthesocietyofoneofherownsex,afterbeingusedtoitallherlife.IcanimagineyourobjectiontoHarrietSmith.SheisnotthesuperioryoungwomanwhichEmma\'sfriendoughttobe.Butontheotherhand,asEmmawantstoseeherbetterinformed,itwillbeaninducementtohertoreadmoreherself.Theywillreadtogether.Shemeansit,Iknow.\'
`Emmahasbeenmeaningtoreadmoreeversinceshewastwelveyearsold.Ihaveseenagreatmanylistsofherdrawing-upatvarioustimesofbooksthatshemeanttoreadregularlythrough-andverygoodliststheywere-verywellchosen,andveryneatlyarranged-sometimesalphabetically,andsometimesbysomeotherrule.Thelistshedrewupwhenonlyfourteen-Irememberthinkingitdidherjudgmentsomuchcredit,thatIpreserveditsometime;andIdaresayshemayhavemadeoutaverygoodlistnow.ButIhavedonewithexpectinganycourseofsteadyreadingfromEmma.Shewillneversubmittoanythingrequiringindustryandpatience,andasubjectionofthefancytotheunderstanding.WhereMissTaylorfailedtostimulate,ImaysafelyaffirmthatHarrietSmithwilldonothing-Younevercouldpersuadehertoreadhalfsomuchasyouwished-Youknowyoucouldnot.\'
`Idaresay,\'repliedMrs.Weston,smiling,`thatIthoughtsothen;-butsincewehaveparted,IcanneverrememberEmma\'somittingtodoanythingIwished.\'
`Thereishardlyanydesiringtorefreshsuchamemoryasthat,\'-saidMr.Knightley,feelingly;andforamomentortwohehaddone.`ButI,\'hesoonadded,`whohavehadnosuchcharmthrownovermysenses,muststillsee,hear,andremember.Emmaisspoiledbybeingthecleverestofherfamily.Attenyearsold,shehadthemisfortuneofbeingabletoanswerquestionswhichpuzzledhersisteratseventeen.Shewasalwaysquickandassured:Isabellaslowanddiffident.Andeversinceshewastwelve,Emmahasbeenmistressofthehouseandofyouall.Inhermothershelosttheonlypersonabletocopewithher.Sheinheritshermother\'stalents,andmusthavebeenundersubjectiontoher.\'
`Ishouldhavebeensorry,Mr.Knightley,tobedependentonyourrecommendation,hadIquittedMr.Woodhouse\'sfamilyandwantedanothersituation;Idonotthinkyouwouldhavespokenagoodwordformetoanybody.IamsureyoualwaysthoughtmeunfitfortheofficeIheld.\'
`Yes,\'saidhe,smiling.`Youarebetterplacedhere;veryfitforawife,butnotatallforagoverness.ButyouwerepreparingyourselftobeanexcellentwifeallthetimeyouwereatHartfield.YoumightnotgiveEmmasuchacompleteeducationasyourpowerswouldseemtopromise;butyouwerereceivingaverygoodeducationfromher,ontheverymaterialmatrimonialpointofsubmittingyourownwill,anddoingasyouwerebid;andifWestonhadaskedmetorecommendhimawife,IshouldcertainlyhavenamedMissTaylor.\'
`Thankyou.TherewillbeverylittlemeritinmakingagoodwifetosuchamanasMr.Weston.\'
`Why,toownthetruth,Iamafraidyouareratherthrownaway,andthatwitheverydispositiontobear,therewillbenothingtobeborne.Wewillnotdespair,however.Westonmaygrowcrossfromthewantonnessofcomfort,orhissonmayplaguehim.\'
`Ihopenotthat-Itisnotlikely.No,Mr.Knightley,donotforetellvexationfromthatquarter.\'
`NotI,indeed.Ionlynamepossibilities.IdonotpretendtoEmma\'sgeniusforforetellingandguessing.Ihope,withallmyheart,theyoungmanmaybeaWestoninmerit,andaChurchillinfortune-ButHarrietSmith-IhavenothalfdoneaboutHarrietSmith.IthinkhertheveryworstsortofcompanionthatEmmacouldpossiblyhave.Sheknowsnothingherself,andlooksuponEmmaasknowingeverything.Sheisaflattererinallherways;andsomuchtheworse,becauseundesigned.Herignoranceishourlyflattery.HowcanEmmaimagineshehasanythingtolearnherself,whileHarrietispresentingsuchadelightfulinferiority?AndasforHarriet,Iwillventuretosaythatshecannotgainbytheacquaintance.Hartfieldwillonlyputheroutofconceitwithalltheotherplacesshebelongsto.Shewillgrowjustrefinedenoughtobeuncomfortablewiththoseamongwhombirthandcircumstanceshaveplacedherhome.IammuchmistakenifEmma\'sdoctrinesgiveanystrengthofmind,ortendatalltomakeagirladaptherselfrationallytothevarietiesofhersituationinlife-Theyonlygivealittlepolish.\'
`IeitherdependmoreuponEmma\'sgoodsensethanyoudo,orammoreanxiousforherpresentcomfort;forIcannotlamenttheacquaintance.Howwellshelookedlastnight!\'
`Oh!youwouldrathertalkofherpersonthanhermind,wouldyou?Verywell;IshallnotattempttodenyEmma\'sbeingpretty.\'
`Pretty!saybeautifulrather.CanyouimagineanythingnearerperfectbeautythanEmmaaltogether-faceandfigure?\'
`IdonotknowwhatIcouldimagine,butIconfessthatIhaveseldomseenafaceorfiguremorepleasingtomethanhers.ButIamapartialoldfriend.\'
`Suchaneye!-thetruehazleeye-andsobrilliant!regularfeatures,opencountenance,withacomplexion!oh!whatabloomoffullhealth,andsuchaprettyheightandsize;suchafirmanduprightfigure!Thereishealth,notmerelyinherbloom,butinherair,herhead,herglance.Onehearssometimesofachildbeing``thepictureofhealth;\'\'now,Emmaalwaysgivesmetheideaofbeingthecompletepictureofgrown-uphealth.Sheislovelinessitself.Mr.Knightley,isnotshe?\'
`Ihavenotafaulttofindwithherperson,\'hereplied.`Ithinkherallyoudescribe.Ilovetolookather;andIwilladdthispraise,thatIdonotthinkherpersonallyvain.Consideringhowveryhandsomesheis,sheappearstobelittleoccupiedwithit;hervanityliesanotherway.Mrs.Weston,IamnottobetalkedoutofmydislikeofHarrietSmith,ormydreadofitsdoingthembothharm.\'
`AndI,Mr.Knightley,amequallystoutinmyconfidenceofitsnotdoingthemanyharm.WithalldearEmma\'slittlefaults,sheisanexcellentcreature.Whereshallweseeabetterdaughter,orakindersister,oratruerfriend?No,no;shehasqualitieswhichmaybetrusted;shewillneverleadanyonereallywrong;shewillmakenolastingblunder;whereEmmaerrsonce,sheisintherightahundredtimes.\'
`Verywell;Iwillnotplagueyouanymore.Emmashallbeanangel,andIwillkeepmyspleentomyselftillChristmasbringsJohnandIsabella.JohnlovesEmmawithareasonableandthereforenotablindaffection,andIsabellaalwaysthinksashedoes;exceptwhenheisnotquitefrightenedenoughaboutthechildren.Iamsureofhavingtheiropinionswithme.\'
`Iknowthatyouallloveherreallytoowelltobeunjustorunkind;butexcuseme,Mr.Knightley,ifItakethelibertyIconsidermyself,youknow,ashavingsomewhatoftheprivilegeofspeechthatEmma\'smothermighthavehadthelibertyofhintingthatIdonotthinkanypossiblegoodcanarisefromHarrietSmith\'sintimacybeingmadeamatterofmuchdiscussionamongyou.Prayexcuseme;butsupposinganylittleinconveniencemaybeapprehendedfromtheintimacy,itcannotbeexpectedthatEmma,accountabletonobodybutherfather,whoperfectlyapprovestheacquaintance,shouldputanendtoit,solongasitisasourceofpleasuretoherself.Ithasbeensomanyyearsmyprovincetogiveadvice,thatyoucannotbesurprized,Mr.Knightley,atthislittleremainsofoffice.\'
`Notatall,\'criedhe;`Iammuchobligedtoyouforit.Itisverygoodadvice,anditshallhaveabetterfatethanyouradvicehasoftenfound;foritshallbeattendedto.\'
`Mrs.JohnKnightleyiseasilyalarmed,andmightbemadeunhappyabouthersister.\'
`Besatisfied,\'saidhe,`Iwillnotraiseanyoutcry.Iwillkeepmyill-humourtomyself.IhaveaverysincereinterestinEmma.Isabelladoesnotseemmoremysister;hasneverexcitedagreaterinterest;perhapshardlysogreat.Thereisananxiety,acuriosityinwhatonefeelsforEmma.Iwonderwhatwillbecomeofher!\'
`SodoI,\'saidMrs.Westongently,`verymuch.\'
`Shealwaysdeclaresshewillnevermarry,which,ofcourse,meansjustnothingatall.ButIhavenoideathatshehasyeteverseenamanshecaredfor.Itwouldnotbeabadthingforhertobeverymuchinlovewithaproperobject.IshouldliketoseeEmmainlove,andinsomedoubtofareturn;itwoulddohergood.Butthereisnobodyhereaboutstoattachher;andshegoessoseldomfromhome.\'
`Theredoes,indeed,seemaslittletotempthertobreakherresolutionatpresent,\'saidMrs.Weston,`ascanwellbe;andwhilesheissohappyatHartfield,IcannotwishhertobeforminganyattachmentwhichwouldbecreatingsuchdifficultiesonpoorMr.Woodhouse\'saccount.IdonotrecommendmatrimonyatpresenttoEmma,thoughImeannoslighttothestate,Iassureyou.\'
PartofhermeaningwastoconcealsomefavouritethoughtsofherownandMr.Weston\'sonthesubject,asmuchaspossible.TherewerewishesatRandallsrespectingEmma\'sdestiny,butitwasnotdesirabletohavethemsuspected;andthequiettransitionwhichMr.Knightleysoonafterwardsmadeto`WhatdoesWestonthinkoftheweather;shallwehaverain?\'convincedherthathehadnothingmoretosayorsurmiseaboutHartfield.
CHAPTERVI
EmmacouldnotfeeladoubtofhavinggivenHarriet\'sfancyaproperdirectionandraisedthegratitudeofheryoungvanitytoaverygoodpurpose,forshefoundherdecidedlymoresensiblethanbeforeofMr.Elton\'sbeingaremarkablyhandsomeman,withmostagreeablemanners;andasshehadnohesitationinfollowinguptheassuranceofhisadmirationbyagreeablehints,shewassoonprettyconfidentofcreatingasmuchlikingonHarriet\'sside,astherecouldbeanyoccasionfor.ShewasquiteconvincedofMr.Elton\'sbeinginthefairestwayoffallinginlove,ifnotinlovealready.Shehadnoscruplewithregardtohim.HetalkedofHarriet,andpraisedhersowarmly,thatshecouldnotsupposeanythingwantingwhichalittletimewouldnotadd.HisperceptionofthestrikingimprovementofHarriet\'smanner,sinceherintroductionatHartfield,wasnotoneoftheleastagreeableproofsofhisgrowingattachment.