`YouhavegivenMissSmithallthatsherequired,\'saidhe;`youhavemadehergracefulandeasy.Shewasabeautifulcreaturewhenshecametoyou,but,inmyopinion,theattractionsyouhaveaddedareinfinitelysuperiortowhatshereceivedfromnature.\'
`IamgladyouthinkIhavebeenusefultoher;butHarrietonlywanteddrawingout,andreceivingafew,veryfewhints.Shehadallthenaturalgraceofsweetnessoftemperandartlessnessinherself.Ihavedoneverylittle.\'
`Ifitwereadmissibletocontradictalady,\'saidthegallantMr.Elton-
`Ihaveperhapsgivenheralittlemoredecisionofcharacter,havetaughthertothinkonpointswhichhadnotfalleninherwaybefore.\'
`Exactlyso;thatiswhatprincipallystrikesme.Somuchsuperaddeddecisionofcharacter!Skilfulhasbeenthehand!\'
`Greathasbeenthepleasure,Iamsure.Inevermetwithadispositionmoretrulyamiable.\'
`Ihavenodoubtofit.\'Anditwasspokenwithasortofsighinganimation,whichhadavastdealofthelover.Shewasnotlesspleasedanotherdaywiththemannerinwhichhesecondedasuddenwishofhers,tohaveHarriet\'spicture.
`Didyoueverhaveyourlikenesstaken,Harriet?\'saidshe:`didyoueversitforyourpicture?\'
Harrietwasonthepointofleavingtheroom,andonlystopttosay,withaveryinterestingna?veté,
`Oh!dear,no,never.\'
Nosoonerwassheoutofsight,thanEmmaexclaimed,
`Whatanexquisitepossessionagoodpictureofherwouldbe!Iwouldgiveanymoneyforit.Ialmostlongtoattemptherlikenessmyself.YoudonotknowitIdaresay,buttwoorthreeyearsagoIhadagreatpassionfortakinglikenesses,andattemptedseveralofmyfriends,andwasthoughttohaveatolerableeyeingeneral.Butfromonecauseoranother,Igaveitupindisgust.Butreally,Icouldalmostventure,ifHarrietwouldsittome.Itwouldbesuchadelighttohaveherpicture!\'
`Letmeentreatyou,\'criedMr.Elton;`itwouldindeedbeadelight!Letmeentreatyou,MissWoodhouse,toexercisesocharmingatalentinfavourofyourfriend.Iknowwhatyourdrawingsare.Howcouldyousupposemeignorant?Isnotthisroomrichinspecimensofyourlandscapesandflowers;andhasnotMrs.Westonsomeinimitablefigure-piecesinherdrawing-room,atRandalls?\'
Yes,goodman!-thoughtEmma-butwhathasallthattodowithtakinglikenesses?Youknownothingofdrawing.Don\'tpretendtobeinrapturesaboutmine.KeepyourrapturesforHarriet\'sface.`Well,ifyougivemesuchkindencouragement,Mr.Elton,IbelieveIshalltrywhatIcando.Harriet\'sfeaturesareverydelicate,whichmakesalikenessdifficult;andyetthereisapeculiarityintheshapeoftheeyeandthelinesaboutthemouthwhichoneoughttocatch.\'
`Exactlyso-Theshapeoftheeyeandthelinesaboutthemouth-Ihavenotadoubtofyoursuccess.Pray,prayattemptit.Asyouwilldoit,itwillindeed,touseyourownwords,beanexquisitepossession.\'
`ButIamafraid,Mr.Elton,Harrietwillnotliketosit.Shethinkssolittleofherownbeauty.Didnotyouobservehermannerofansweringme?Howcompletelyitmeant,``whyshouldmypicturebedrawn?\'\'\'
`Oh!yes,Iobservedit,Iassureyou.Itwasnotlostonme.ButstillIcannotimagineshewouldnotbepersuaded.\'
Harrietwassoonbackagain,andtheproposalalmostimmediatelymade;andshehadnoscrupleswhichcouldstandmanyminutesagainsttheearnestpressingofboththeothers.Emmawishedtogotoworkdirectly,andthereforeproducedtheportfoliocontaininghervariousattemptsatportraits,fornotoneofthemhadeverbeenfinished,thattheymightdecidetogetheronthebestsizeforHarriet.Hermanybeginningsweredisplayed.Miniatures,half-lengths,whole-lengths,pencil,crayon,andwater-colourshadbeenalltriedinturn.Shehadalwayswantedtodoeverything,andhadmademoreprogressbothindrawingandmusicthanmanymighthavedonewithsolittlelabourasshewouldeversubmitto.Sheplayedandsang;-anddrewinalmosteverystyle;butsteadinesshadalwaysbeenwanting;andinnothinghadsheapproachedthedegreeofexcellencewhichshewouldhavebeengladtocommand,andoughtnottohavefailedof.Shewasnotmuchdeceivedastoherownskilleitherasanartistoramusician,butshewasnotunwillingtohaveothersdeceived,orsorrytoknowherreputationforaccomplishmentoftenhigherthanitdeserved.
Therewasmeritineverydrawing-intheleastfinished,perhapsthemost;herstylewasspirited;buthadtherebeenmuchless,orhadtherebeententimesmore,thedelightandadmirationofhertwocompanionswouldhavebeenthesame.Theywerebothinecstasies.Alikenesspleaseseverybody;andMissWoodhouse\'sperformancesmustbecapital.
`Nogreatvarietyoffacesforyou,\'saidEmma.`Ihadonlymyownfamilytostudyfrom.Thereismyfather-anotherofmyfather-buttheideaofsittingforhispicturemadehimsonervous,thatIcouldonlytakehimbystealth;neitherofthemveryliketherefore.Mrs.Westonagain,andagain,andagain,yousee.DearMrs.Weston!alwaysmykindestfriendoneveryoccasion.ShewouldsitwheneverIaskedher.Thereismysister;andreallyquiteherownlittleelegantfigure!-andthefacenotunlike.Ishouldhavemadeagoodlikenessofher,ifshewouldhavesatlonger,butshewasinsuchahurrytohavemedrawherfourchildrenthatshewouldnotbequiet.Then,herecomeallmyattemptsatthreeofthosefourchildren;-theretheyare,HenryandJohnandBella,fromoneendofthesheettotheother,andanyoneofthemmightdoforanyoneoftherest.ShewassoeagertohavethemdrawnthatIcouldnotrefuse;butthereisnomakingchildrenofthreeorfouryearsoldstandstillyouknow;norcanitbeveryeasytotakeanylikenessofthem,beyondtheairandcomplexion,unlesstheyarecoarserfeaturedthananyofmama\'schildreneverwere.Hereismysketchofthefourth,whowasababy.Itookhimashewassleepingonthesofa,anditisasstrongalikenessofhiscockadeasyouwouldwishtosee.Hehadnestleddownhisheadmostconveniently.That\'sverylike.IamratherproudoflittleGeorge.Thecornerofthesofaisverygood.Thenhereismylast,\'-unclosingaprettysketchofagentlemaninsmallsize,whole-length-`mylastandmybest-mybrother,Mr.JohnKnightley-Thisdidnotwantmuchofbeingfinished,whenIputitawayinapet,andvowedIwouldnevertakeanotherlikeness.Icouldnothelpbeingprovoked;forafterallmypains,andwhenIhadreallymadeaverygoodlikenessofit-Mrs.WestonandIwerequiteagreedinthinkingitverylike-onlytoohandsome-tooflattering-butthatwasafaultontherightside-afterallthis,camepoordearIsabella\'scoldapprobationof-`Yes,itwasalittlelike-buttobesureitdidnotdohimjustice.\'Wehadhadagreatdealoftroubleinpersuadinghimtositatall.Itwasmadeagreatfavourof;andaltogetheritwasmorethanIcouldbear;andsoIneverwouldfinishit,tohaveitapologisedoverasanunfavourablelikeness,toeverymorningvisitorinBrunswickSquare;-and,asIsaid,Ididthenforsweareverdrawinganybodyagain.ButforHarriet\'ssake,orratherformyown,andastherearenohusbandsandwivesinthecaseatpresent,Iwillbreakmyresolutionnow.\'
Mr.Eltonseemedveryproperlystruckanddelightedbytheidea,andwasrepeating,`Nohusbandsandwivesinthecaseatpresentindeed,asyouobserve.Exactlyso.Nohusbandsandwives,\'withsointerestingaconsciousness,thatEmmabegantoconsiderwhethershehadnotbetterleavethemtogetheratonce.Butasshewantedtobedrawing,thedeclarationmustwaitalittlelonger.
Shehadsoonfixedonthesizeandsortofportrait.Itwastobeawhole-lengthinwater-colours,likeMr.JohnKnightley\'s,andwasdestined,ifshecouldpleaseherself,toholdaveryhonourablestationoverthemantelpiece.
Thesittingbegan;andHarriet,smilingandblushing,andafraidofnotkeepingherattitudeandcountenance,presentedaverysweetmixtureofyouthfulexpressiontothesteadyeyesoftheartist.Buttherewasnodoinganything,withMr.Eltonfidgetingbehindherandwatchingeverytouch.Shegavehimcreditforstationinghimselfwherehemightgazeandgazeagainwithoutoffence;butwasreallyobligedtoputanendtoit,andrequesthimtoplacehimselfelsewhere.Itthenoccurredtohertoemployhiminreading.
`Ifhewouldbesogoodastoreadtothem,itwouldbeakindnessindeed!Itwouldamuseawaythedifficultiesofherpart,andlessentheirksomenessofMissSmith\'s.\'
Mr.Eltonwasonlytoohappy.Harrietlistened,andEmmadrewinpeace.Shemustallowhimtobestillfrequentlycomingtolook;anythinglesswouldcertainlyhavebeentoolittleinalover;andhewasreadyatthesmallestintermissionofthepencil,tojumpupandseetheprogress,andbecharmed-Therewasnobeingdispleasedwithsuchanencourager,forhisadmirationmadehimdiscernalikenessalmostbeforeitwaspossible.Shecouldnotrespecthiseye,buthisloveandhiscomplaisancewereunexceptionable.
Thesittingwasaltogetherverysatisfactory;shewasquiteenoughpleasedwiththefirstday\'ssketchtowishtogoon.Therewasnowantoflikeness,shehadbeenfortunateintheattitude,andasshemeanttothrowinalittleimprovementtothefigure,togivealittlemoreheight,andconsiderablymoreelegance,shehadgreatconfidenceofitsbeingineverywayaprettydrawingatlast,andofitsfillingitsdestinedplacewithcredittothemboth-astandingmemorialofthebeautyofone,theskilloftheother,andthefriendshipofboth;withasmanyotheragreeableassociationsasMr.Elton\'sverypromisingattachmentwaslikelytoadd.
Harrietwastositagainthenextday;andMr.Elton,justasheought,entreatedforthepermissionofattendingandreadingtothemagain.
`Byallmeans.Weshallbemosthappytoconsideryouasoneoftheparty.\'
Thesamecivilitiesandcourtesies,thesamesuccessandsatisfaction,tookplaceonthemorrow,andaccompaniedthewholeprogressofthepicture,whichwasrapidandhappy.Everybodywhosawitwaspleased,butMr.Eltonwasincontinualraptures,anddefendeditthrougheverycriticism.
`MissWoodhousehasgivenherfriendtheonlybeautyshewanted,\'-observedMrs.Westontohim-notintheleastsuspectingthatshewasaddressingalover-`Theexpressionoftheeyeismostcorrect,butMissSmithhasnotthoseeyebrowsandeyelashes.Itisthefaultofherfacethatshehasthemnot.\'
`Doyouthinkso?\'repliedhe.`Icannotagreewithyou.Itappearstomeamostperfectresemblanceineveryfeature.Ineversawsuchalikenessinmylife.Wemustallowfortheeffectofshade,youknow.\'
`Youhavemadehertootall,Emma,\'saidMr.Knightley.
Emmaknewthatshehad,butwouldnotownit;andMr.Eltonwarmlyadded,
`Ohno!certainlynottootall;notintheleasttootall.Consider,sheissittingdown-whichnaturallypresentsadifferent-whichinshortgivesexactlytheidea-andtheproportionsmustbepreserved,youknow.Proportions,fore-shortening-Ohno!itgivesoneexactlytheideaofsuchaheightasMissSmith\'s.Exactlysoindeed!\'
`Itisverypretty,\'saidMr.Woodhouse.`Soprettilydone!Justasyourdrawingsalwaysare,mydear.Idonotknowanybodywhodrawssowellasyoudo.TheonlythingIdonotthoroughlylikeis,thatsheseemstobesittingoutofdoors,withonlyalittleshawloverhershoulders-anditmakesonethinkshemustcatchcold.\'
`But,mydearpapa,itissupposedtobesummer;awarmdayinsummer.Lookatthetree.\'
`Butitisneversafetositoutofdoors,mydear.\'
`You,sir,maysayanything,\'criedMr.Elton,`butImustconfessthatIregarditasamosthappythought,theplacingofMissSmithoutofdoors;andthetreeistouchedwithsuchinimitablespirit!Anyothersituationwouldhavebeenmuchlessincharacter.Thena?vetéofMissSmith\'smanners-andaltogether-Oh,itismostadmirable!Icannotkeepmyeyesfromit.Ineversawsuchalikeness.\'
Thenextthingwantedwastogetthepictureframed;andherewereafewdifficulties.Itmustbedonedirectly;itmustbedoneinLondon;theordermustgothroughthehandsofsomeintelligentpersonwhosetastecouldbedependedon;andIsabella,theusualdoerofallcommissions,mustnotbeappliedto,becauseitwasDecember,andMr.WoodhousecouldnotbeartheideaofherstirringoutofherhouseinthefogsofDecember.ButnosoonerwasthedistressknowntoMr.Elton,thanitwasremoved.Hisgallantrywasalwaysonthealert.`Mighthebetrustedwiththecommission,whatinfinitepleasureshouldhehaveinexecutingit!hecouldridetoLondonatanytime.Itwasimpossibletosayhowmuchheshouldbegratifiedbybeingemployedonsuchanerrand.\'
`Hewastoogood!-shecouldnotendurethethought!-shewouldnotgivehimsuchatroublesomeofficefortheworld,\'-broughtonthedesiredrepetitionofentreatiesandassurances,-andaveryfewminutessettledthebusiness.
Mr.EltonwastotakethedrawingtoLondon,chusetheframe,andgivethedirections;andEmmathoughtshecouldsopackitastoensureitssafetywithoutmuchincommodinghim,whileheseemedmostlyfearfulofnotbeingincommodedenough.
`Whatapreciousdeposit!\'saidhewithatendersigh,ashereceivedit.
`Thismanisalmosttoogallanttobeinlove,\'thoughtEmma.`Ishouldsayso,butthatIsupposetheremaybeahundreddifferentwaysofbeinginlove.Heisanexcellentyoungman,andwillsuitHarrietexactly;itwillbean``Exactlyso,\'\'ashesayshimself;buthedoessighandlanguish,andstudyforcomplimentsrathermorethanIcouldendureasaprincipal.Icomeinforaprettygoodshareasasecond.ButitishisgratitudeonHarriet\'saccount.\'
CHAPTERVII
TheverydayofMr.Elton\'sgoingtoLondonproducedafreshoccasionforEmma\'sservicestowardsherfriend.HarriethadbeenatHartfield,asusual,soonafterbreakfast;and,afteratime,hadgonehometoreturnagaintodinner:shereturned,andsoonerthanhadbeentalkedof,andwithanagitated,hurriedlook,announcingsomethingextraordinarytohavehappenedwhichshewaslongingtotell.Halfaminutebroughtitallout.Shehadheard,assoonasshegotbacktoMrs.Goddard\'s,thatMr.Martinhadbeenthereanhourbefore,andfindingshewasnotathome,norparticularlyexpected,hadleftalittleparcelforherfromoneofhissisters,andgoneaway;andonopeningthisparcel,shehadactuallyfound,besidesthetwosongswhichshehadlentElizabethtocopy,alettertoherself;andthisletterwasfromhim,fromMr.Martin,andcontainedadirectproposalofmarriage.`Whocouldhavethoughtit?Shewassosurprizedshedidnotknowwhattodo.Yes,quiteaproposalofmarriage;andaverygoodletter,atleastshethoughtso.Andhewroteasifhereallylovedherverymuch-butshedidnotknow-andso,shewascomeasfastasshecouldtoaskMissWoodhousewhatsheshoulddo-`Emmawashalf-ashamedofherfriendforseemingsopleasedandsodoubtful.
`Uponmyword,\'shecried,`theyoungmanisdeterminednottoloseanythingforwantofasking.Hewillconnecthimselfwellifhecan.\'
`Willyoureadtheletter?\'criedHarriet.`Praydo.I\'dratheryouwould.\'
Emmawasnotsorrytobepressed.Sheread,andwassurprized.Thestyleoftheletterwasmuchaboveherexpectation.Therewerenotmerelynogrammaticalerrors,butasacompositionitwouldnothavedisgracedagentleman;thelanguage,thoughplain,wasstrongandunaffected,andthesentimentsitconveyedverymuchtothecreditofthewriter.Itwasshort,butexpressedgoodsense,warmattachment,liberality,propriety,evendelicacyoffeeling.Shepausedoverit,whileHarrietstoodanxiouslywatchingforheropinion,witha`Well,well,\'andwasatlastforcedtoadd,`Isitagoodletter?orisittooshort?\'
`Yes,indeed,averygoodletter,\'repliedEmmaratherslowly-`sogoodaletter,Harriet,thateverythingconsidered,Ithinkoneofhissistersmusthavehelpedhim.IcanhardlyimaginetheyoungmanwhomIsawtalkingwithyoutheotherdaycouldexpresshimselfsowell,ifleftquitetohisownpowers,andyetitisnotthestyleofawoman;no,certainly,itistoostrongandconcise;notdiffuseenoughforawoman.Nodoubtheisasensibleman,andIsupposemayhaveanaturaltalentfor-thinksstronglyandclearly-andwhenhetakesapeninhand,histhoughtsnaturallyfindproperwords.Itissowithsomemen.Yes,Iunderstandthesortofmind.Vigorous,decided,withsentimentstoacertainpoint,notcoarse.Abetterwrittenletter,Harrietreturningit,thanIhadexpected.\'
`Well,\'saidthestillwaitingHarriet;-`well-and-andwhatshallIdo?\'
`Whatshallyoudo!Inwhatrespect?Doyoumeanwithregardtothisletter?\'
`Yes.\'
`Butwhatareyouindoubtof?Youmustansweritofcourse-andspeedily.\'
`Yes.ButwhatshallIsay?DearMissWoodhouse,doadviseme.\'
`Ohno,no!theletterhadmuchbetterbeallyourown.Youwillexpressyourselfveryproperly,Iamsure.Thereisnodangerofyournotbeingintelligible,whichisthefirstthing.Yourmeaningmustbeunequivocal;nodoubtsordemurs:andsuchexpressionsofgratitudeandconcernforthepainyouareinflictingasproprietyrequires,willpresentthemselvesunbiddentoyourmind,Iampersuaded.Youneednotbepromptedtowritewiththeappearanceofsorrowforhisdisappointment.\'
`YouthinkIoughttorefusehimthen,\'saidHarriet,lookingdown.
`Oughttorefusehim!MydearHarriet,whatdoyoumean?Areyouinanydoubtastothat?Ithought-butIbegyourpardon,perhapsIhavebeenunderamistake.Icertainlyhavebeenmisunderstandingyou,ifyoufeelindoubtastothepurportofyouranswer.Ihadimaginedyouwereconsultingmeonlyastothewordingofit.\'
Harrietwassilent.Withalittlereserveofmanner,Emmacontinued:
`Youmeantoreturnafavourableanswer,Icollect.\'
`No,Idonot;thatis,Idonotmean-WhatshallIdo?Whatwouldyouadvisemetodo?Pray,dearMissWoodhouse,tellmewhatIoughttodo.\'
`Ishallnotgiveyouanyadvice,Harriet.Iwillhavenothingtodowithit.Thisisapointwhichyoumustsettlewithyourfeelings.\'
`Ihadnonotionthathelikedmesoverymuch,\'saidHarriet,contemplatingtheletter.ForalittlewhileEmmaperseveredinhersilence;butbeginningtoapprehendthebewitchingflatteryofthatlettermightbetoopowerful,shethoughtitbesttosay,
`Ilayitdownasageneralrule,Harriet,thatifawomandoubtsastowhethersheshouldacceptamanornot,shecertainlyoughttorefusehim.Ifshecanhesitateasto``Yes,\'\'sheoughttosay``No\'\'directly.Itisnotastatetobesafelyenteredintowithdoubtfulfeelings,withhalfaheart.Ithoughtitmydutyasafriend,andolderthanyourself,tosaythusmuchtoyou.ButdonotimaginethatIwanttoinfluenceyou.\'
`Oh!no,Iamsureyouareagreatdealtookindto-butifyouwouldjustadvisemewhatIhadbestdo-No,no,Idonotmeanthat-Asyousay,one\'smindoughttobequitemadeup-Oneshouldnotbehesitating-Itisaveryseriousthing-Itwillbesafertosay``No,\'\'perhaps-DoyouthinkIhadbettersay``No?\'\'\'
`Notfortheworld,\'saidEmma,smilinggraciously,`wouldIadviseyoueitherway.Youmustbethebestjudgeofyourownhappiness.IfyoupreferMr.Martintoeveryotherperson;ifyouthinkhimthemostagreeablemanyouhaveeverbeenincompanywith,whyshouldyouhesitate?Youblush,Harriet-Doesanybodyelseoccurtoyouatthismomentundersuchadefinition?Harriet,Harriet,donotdeceiveyourself;donotberunawaywithbygratitudeandcompassion.Atthismomentwhomareyouthinkingof?\'
Thesymptomswerefavourable-Insteadofanswering,Harrietturnedawayconfused,andstoodthoughtfullybythefire;andthoughtheletterwasstillinherhand,itwasnowmechanicallytwistedaboutwithoutregard.Emmawaitedtheresultwithimpatience,butnotwithoutstronghopes.Atlast,withsomehesitation,Harrietsaid-
`MissWoodhouse,asyouwillnotgivemeyouropinion,ImustdoaswellasIcanbymyself;andIhavenowquitedetermined,andreallyalmostmadeupmymind-torefuseMr.Martin.DoyouthinkIamright?\'
`Perfectly,perfectlyright,mydearestHarriet;youaredoingjustwhatyouought.WhileyouwereatallinsuspenseIkeptmyfeelingstomyself,butnowthatyouaresocompletelydecidedIhavenohesitationinapproving.DearHarriet,Igivemyselfjoyofthis.Itwouldhavegrievedmetoloseyouracquaintance,whichmusthavebeentheconsequenceofyourmarryingMr.Martin.Whileyouwereinthesmallestdegreewavering,Isaidnothingaboutit,becauseIwouldnotinfluence;butitwouldhavebeenthelossofafriendtome.IcouldnothavevisitedMrs.RobertMartin,ofAbbey-MillFarm.NowIamsecureofyouforever.\'
Harriethadnotsurmisedherowndanger,buttheideaofitstruckherforcibly.
`Youcouldnothavevisitedme!\'shecried,lookingaghast.`No,tobesureyoucouldnot;butIneverthoughtofthatbefore.Thatwouldhavebeentoodreadful!-Whatanescape!-DearMissWoodhouse,Iwouldnotgiveupthepleasureandhonourofbeingintimatewithyouforanythingintheworld.\'
`Indeed,Harriet,itwouldhavebeenaseverepangtoloseyou;butitmusthavebeen.Youwouldhavethrownyourselfoutofallgoodsociety.Imusthavegivenyouup.\'
`Dearme!-HowshouldIeverhaveborneit!ItwouldhavekilledmenevertocometoHartfieldanymore!\'
`Dearaffectionatecreature!-YoubanishedtoAbbey-MillFarm!-Youconfinedtothesocietyoftheilliterateandvulgarallyourlife!Iwonderhowtheyoungmancouldhavetheassurancetoaskit.Hemusthaveaprettygoodopinionofhimself.\'
`Idonotthinkheisconceitedeither,ingeneral,\'saidHarriet,herconscienceopposingsuchcensure;`atleast,heisverygoodnatured,andIshallalwaysfeelmuchobligedtohim,andhaveagreatregardfor-butthatisquiteadifferentthingfrom-andyouknow,thoughhemaylikeme,itdoesnotfollowthatIshould-andcertainlyImustconfessthatsincemyvisitinghereIhaveseenpeople-andifonecomestocomparethem,personandmanners,thereisnocomparisonatall,oneissoveryhandsomeandagreeable.However,IdoreallythinkMr.Martinaveryamiableyoungman,andhaveagreatopinionofhim;andhisbeingsomuchattachedtome-andhiswritingsuchaletter-butastoleavingyou,itiswhatIwouldnotdouponanyconsideration.\'
`Thankyou,thankyou,myownsweetlittlefriend.Wewillnotbeparted.Awomanisnottomarryamanmerelybecausesheisasked,orbecauseheisattachedtoher,andcanwriteatolerableletter.\'
`Ohno;-anditisbutashortlettertoo.\'
Emmafeltthebadtasteofherfriend,butletitpasswitha`verytrue;anditwouldbeasmallconsolationtoher,fortheclownishmannerwhichmightbeoffendinghereveryhouroftheday,toknowthatherhusbandcouldwriteagoodletter.\'
`Oh!yes,very.Nobodycaresforaletter;thethingis,tobealwayshappywithpleasantcompanions.Iamquitedeterminedtorefusehim.ButhowshallIdo?ThatshallIsay?\'
Emmaassuredhertherewouldbenodifficultyintheanswer,andadviseditsbeingwrittendirectly,whichwasagreedto,inthehopeofherassistance;andthoughEmmacontinuedtoprotestagainstanyassistancebeingwanted,itwasinfactgivenintheformationofeverysentence.Thelookingoverhisletteragain,inreplyingtoit,hadsuchasofteningtendency,thatitwasparticularlynecessarytobraceherupwithafewdecisiveexpressions;andshewassoverymuchconcernedattheideaofmakinghimunhappy,andthoughtsomuchofwhathismotherandsisterswouldthinkandsay,andwassoanxiousthattheyshouldnotfancyherungrateful,thatEmmabelievediftheyoungmanhadcomeinherwayatthatmoment,hewouldhavebeenacceptedafterall.
Thisletter,however,waswritten,andsealed,andsent.Thebusinesswasfinished,andHarrietsafe.Shewasratherlowalltheevening,butEmmacouldallowforheramiableregrets,andsometimesrelievedthembyspeakingofherownaffection,sometimesbybringingforwardtheideaofMr.Elton.
`IshallneverbeinvitedtoAbbey-Millagain,\'wassaidinratherasorrowfultone.
`Nor,ifyouwere,couldIeverbeartopartwithyou,myHarriet.YouareagreatdealtoonecessaryatHartfieldtobesparedtoAbbey-Mill.\'
`AndIamsureIshouldneverwanttogothere;forIamneverhappybutatHartfield.\'
Sometimeafterwardsitwas,`IthinkMrs.Goddardwouldbeverymuchsurprizedifsheknewwhathadhappened.IamsureMissNashwould-forMissNashthinksherownsisterverywellmarried,anditisonlyalinen-draper.\'
`Oneshouldbesorrytoseegreaterprideorrefinementintheteacherofaschool,Harriet.IdaresayMissNashwouldenvyyousuchanopportunityasthisofbeingmarried.Eventhisconquestwouldappearvaluableinhereyes.Astoanythingsuperiorforyou,Isupposesheisquiteinthedark.Theattentionsofacertainpersoncanhardlybeamongthetittle-tattleofHighburyyet.HithertoIfancyyouandIaretheonlypeopletowhomhislooksandmannershaveexplainedthemselves.\'
Harrietblushedandsmiled,andsaidsomethingaboutwonderingthatpeopleshouldlikehersomuch.TheideaofMr.Eltonwascertainlycheering;butstill,afteratime,shewastender-heartedagaintowardstherejectedMr.Martin.
`Nowhehasgotmyletter,\'saidshesoftly.`Iwonderwhattheyarealldoing-whetherhissistersknow-ifheisunhappy,theywillbeunhappytoo.Ihopehewillnotminditsoverymuch.\'
`Letusthinkofthoseamongourabsentfriendswhoaremorecheerfullyemployed,\'criedEmma.`Atthismoment,perhaps,Mr.Eltonisshewingyourpicturetohismotherandsisters,tellinghowmuchmorebeautifulistheoriginal,andafterbeingaskedforitfiveorsixtimes,allowingthemtohearyourname,yourowndearname.\'
`Mypicture!-ButhehasleftmypictureinBond-street.\'
`Hasheso!-ThenIknownothingofMr.Elton.No,mydearlittlemodestHarriet,dependuponitthepicturewillnotbeinBond-streettilljustbeforehemountshishorseto-morrow.Itishiscompanionallthisevening,hissolace,hisdelight.Itopenshisdesignstohisfamily,itintroducesyouamongthem,itdiffusesthroughthepartythosepleasantestfeelingsofournature,eagercuriosityandwarmprepossession.Howcheerful,howanimated,howsuspicious,howbusytheirimaginationsallare!\'
Harrietsmiledagain,andhersmilesgrewstronger.
CHAPTERVIII
HarrietsleptatHartfieldthatnight.Forsomeweekspastshehadbeenspendingmorethanhalfhertimethere,andgraduallygettingtohaveabed-roomappropriatedtoherself;andEmmajudgeditbestineveryrespect,safestandkindest,tokeepherwiththemasmuchaspossiblejustatpresent.ShewasobligedtogothenextmorningforanhourortwotoMrs.Goddard\'s,butitwasthentobesettledthatsheshouldreturntoHartfield,tomakearegularvisitofsomedays.
Whileshewasgone,Mr.Knightleycalled,andsatsometimewithMr.WoodhouseandEmma,tillMr.Woodhouse,whohadpreviouslymadeuphismindtowalkout,waspersuadedbyhisdaughternottodeferit,andwasinducedbytheentreatiesofboth,thoughagainstthescruplesofhisowncivility,toleaveMr.Knightleyforthatpurpose.Mr.Knightley,whohadnothingofceremonyabouthim,wasofferingbyhisshort,decidedanswers,anamusingcontrasttotheprotractedapologiesandcivilhesitationsoftheother.
`Well,Ibelieve,ifyouwillexcuseme,Mr.Knightley,ifyouwillnotconsidermeasdoingaveryrudething,IshalltakeEmma\'sadviceandgooutforaquarterofanhour.Asthesunisout,IbelieveIhadbettertakemythreeturnswhileIcan.Itreatyouwithoutceremony,Mr.Knightley.Weinvalidsthinkweareprivilegedpeople.\'
`Mydearsir,donotmakeastrangerofme.\'
`Ileaveanexcellentsubstituteinmydaughter.Emmawillbehappytoentertainyou.AndthereforeIthinkIwillbegyourexcuseandtakemythreeturns-mywinterwalk.\'
`Youcannotdobetter,sir.\'
`Iwouldaskforthepleasureofyourcompany,Mr.Knightley,butIamaveryslowwalker,andmypacewouldbetedioustoyou;and,besides,youhaveanotherlongwalkbeforeyou,toDonwellAbbey.\'
`Thankyou,sir,thankyou;Iamgoingthismomentmyself;andIthinkthesooneryougothebetter.Iwillfetchyourgreatcoatandopenthegardendoorforyou.\'
Mr.Woodhouseatlastwasoff;butMr.Knightley,insteadofbeingimmediatelyofflikewise,satdownagain,seeminglyinclinedformorechat.HebeganspeakingofHarriet,andspeakingofherwithmorevoluntarypraisethanEmmahadeverheardbefore.
`Icannotrateherbeautyasyoudo,\'saidhe;`butsheisaprettylittlecreature,andIaminclinedtothinkverywellofherdisposition.Hercharacterdependsuponthosesheiswith;butingoodhandsshewillturnoutavaluablewoman.\'
`Iamgladyouthinkso;andthegoodhands,Ihope,maynotbewanting.\'
`Come,\'saidhe,`youareanxiousforacompliment,soIwilltellyouthatyouhaveimprovedher.Youhavecuredherofherschool-girl\'sgiggle;shereallydoesyoucredit.\'
`Thankyou.IshouldbemortifiedindeedifIdidnotbelieveIhadbeenofsomeuse;butitisnoteverybodywhowillbestowpraisewheretheymay.Youdonotoftenoverpowermewithit.\'
`Youareexpectingheragain,yousay,thismorning?\'
`Almosteverymoment.Shehasbeengonelongeralreadythansheintended.\'
`Somethinghashappenedtodelayher;somevisitorsperhaps.\'
`Highburygossips!-Tiresomewretches!\'
`Harrietmaynotconsidereverybodytiresomethatyouwould.\'
Emmaknewthiswastootrueforcontradiction,andthereforesaidnothing.Hepresentlyadded,withasmile,
`Idonotpretendtofixontimesorplaces,butImusttellyouthatIhavegoodreasontobelieveyourlittlefriendwillsoonhearofsomethingtoheradvantage.\'
`Indeed!howso?ofwhatsort?\'
`Averyserioussort,Iassureyou;\'stillsmiling.
`Veryserious!Icanthinkofbutonething-Whoisinlovewithher?Whomakesyoutheirconfidant?\'
EmmawasmorethanhalfinhopesofMr.Elton\'shavingdroptahint.Mr.Knightleywasasortofgeneralfriendandadviser,andsheknewMr.Eltonlookeduptohim.
`Ihavereasontothink,\'hereplied,`thatHarrietSmithwillsoonhaveanofferofmarriage,andfromamostunexceptionablequarter:-RobertMartinistheman.HervisittoAbbey-Mill,thissummer,seemstohavedonehisbusiness.Heisdesperatelyinloveandmeanstomarryher.\'
`Heisveryobliging,\'saidEmma;`butishesurethatHarrietmeanstomarryhim?\'
`Well,well,meanstomakeheranofferthen.Willthatdo?HecametotheAbbeytwoeveningsago,onpurposetoconsultmeaboutit.HeknowsIhaveathoroughregardforhimandallhisfamily,and,Ibelieve,considersmeasoneofhisbestfriends.HecametoaskmewhetherIthoughtitwouldbeimprudentinhimtosettlesoearly;whetherIthoughthertooyoung:inshort,whetherIapprovedhischoicealtogether;havingsomeapprehensionperhapsofherbeingconsideredespeciallysinceyourmakingsomuchofherasinalineofsocietyabovehim.Iwasverymuchpleasedwithallthathesaid.IneverhearbettersensefromanyonethanRobertMartin.Healwaysspeakstothepurpose;open,straightforward,andverywelljudging.Hetoldmeeverything;hiscircumstancesandplans,andwhattheyallproposeddoingintheeventofhismarriage.Heisanexcellentyoungman,bothassonandbrother.Ihadnohesitationinadvisinghimtomarry.Heprovedtomethathecouldaffordit;andthatbeingthecase,Iwasconvincedhecouldnotdobetter.Ipraisedthefairladytoo,andaltogethersenthimawayveryhappy.Ifhehadneveresteemedmyopinionbefore,hewouldhavethoughthighlyofmethen;and,Idaresay,leftthehousethinkingmethebestfriendandcounsellormaneverhad.Thishappenedthenightbeforelast.Now,aswemayfairlysuppose,hewouldnotallowmuchtimetopassbeforehespoketothelady,andashedoesnotappeartohavespokenyesterday,itisnotunlikelythatheshouldbeatMrs.Goddard\'sto-day;andshemaybedetainedbyavisitor,withoutthinkinghimatallatiresomewretch.\'
`Pray,Mr.Knightley,\'saidEmma,whohadbeensmilingtoherselfthroughagreatpartofthisspeech,`howdoyouknowthatMr.Martindidnotspeakyesterday?\'
`Certainly,\'repliedhe,surprized,`Idonotabsolutelyknowit;butitmaybeinferred.Wasnotshethewholedaywithyou?\'
`Come,\'saidshe,`Iwilltellyousomething,inreturnforwhatyouhavetoldme.Hedidspeakyesterday-thatis,hewrote,andwasrefused.\'
Thiswasobligedtoberepeatedbeforeitcouldbebelieved;andMr.Knightleyactuallylookedredwithsurprizeanddispleasure,ashestoodup,intallindignation,andsaid,
`ThensheisagreatersimpletonthanIeverbelievedher.Whatisthefoolishgirlabout?\'
`Oh!tobesure,\'criedEmma,`itisalwaysincomprehensibletoamanthatawomanshouldeverrefuseanofferofmarriage.Amanalwaysimaginesawomantobereadyforanybodywhoasksher.\'
`Nonsense!amandoesnotimagineanysuchthing.Butwhatisthemeaningofthis?HarrietSmithrefuseRobertMartin?madness,ifitisso;butIhopeyouaremistaken.\'
`Isawheranswer!-nothingcouldbeclearer.\'
`Yousawheranswer!-youwroteheranswertoo.Emma,thisisyourdoing.Youpersuadedhertorefusehim.\'