`Yes,papa;wehavesomethingtoreadyou,somethingquitefresh.Apieceofpaperwasfoundonthetablethismorning-dropt,wesuppose,byafairy-containingaveryprettycharade,andwehavejustcopieditin.\'
Shereadittohim,justashelikedtohaveanythingread,slowlyanddistinctly,andtwoorthreetimesover,withexplanationsofeverypartassheproceeded-andhewasverymuchpleased,and,asshehadforeseen,especiallystruckwiththecomplimentaryconclusion.
`Aye,that\'sveryjust,indeed,that\'sveryproperlysaid.Verytrue.``Woman,lovelywoman.\'\'Itissuchaprettycharade,mydear,thatIcaneasilyguesswhatfairybroughtit-Nobodycouldhavewrittensoprettily,butyou,Emma.\'
Emmaonlynodded,andsmiled-Afteralittlethinking,andaverytendersigh,headded,
`Ah!itisnodifficultytoseewhoyoutakeafter!Yourdearmotherwassocleveratallthosethings!IfIhadbuthermemory!ButIcanremembernothing;-noteventhatparticularriddlewhichyouhaveheardmemention;Icanonlyrecollectthefirststanza;andthereareseveral.
Kitty,afairbutfrozenmaid,
KindledaflameIyetdeplore,
Thehood-wink\'dboyIcalledtoaid,
Thoughofhisnearapproachafraid,
Sofataltomysuitbefore.
AndthatisallthatIcanrecollectofit-butitisverycleverallthewaythrough.ButIthink,mydear,yousaidyouhadgotit.\'
`Yes,papa,itiswrittenoutinoursecondpage.WecopieditfromtheElegantExtracts.ItwasGarrick\'s,youknow.\'
`Aye,verytrue-IwishIcouldrecollectmoreofit.
Kitty,afairbutfrozenmaid.
ThenamemakesmethinkofpoorIsabella;forshewasverynearbeingchristenedCatherineafterhergrandmama.Ihopeweshallhaveherherenextweek.Haveyouthought,mydear,whereyoushallputher-andwhatroomtherewillbeforthechildren?\'
`Oh!yes-shewillhaveherownroom,ofcourse;theroomshealwayshas;-andthereisthenurseryforthechildren,-justasusual,youknow.Whyshouldtherebeanychange?\'
`Idonotknow,mydear-butitissolongsinceshewashere!-notsincelastEaster,andthenonlyforafewdays-Mr.JohnKnightley\'sbeingalawyerisveryinconvenient-PoorIsabella!-sheissadlytakenawayfromusall!-andhowsorryshewillbewhenshecomes,nottoseeMissTaylorhere!\'
`Shewillnotbesurprized,papa,atleast.\'
`Idonotknow,mydear.IamsureIwasverymuchsurprizedwhenIfirstheardshewasgoingtobemarried.\'
`WemustaskMr.andMrs.Westontodinewithus,whileIsabellaishere.\'
`Yes,mydear,ifthereistime-But-inaverydepressedtone-sheiscomingforonlyoneweek.Therewillnotbetimeforanything.\'
`Itisunfortunatethattheycannotstaylonger-butitseemsacaseofnecessity.Mr.JohnKnightleymustbeintownagainonthe28th,andweoughttobethankful,papa,thatwearetohavethewholeofthetimetheycangivetothecountry,thattwoorthreedaysarenottobetakenoutfortheAbbey.Mr.KnightleypromisestogiveuphisclaimthisChristmas-thoughyouknowitislongersincetheywerewithhim,thanwithus.\'
`Itwouldbeveryhard,indeed,mydear,ifpoorIsabellaweretobeanywherebutatHartfield.\'
Mr.WoodhousecouldneverallowforMr.Knightley\'sclaimsonhisbrother,oranybody\'sclaimsonIsabella,excepthisown.Hesatmusingalittlewhile,andthensaid,
`ButIdonotseewhypoorIsabellashouldbeobligedtogobacksosoon,thoughhedoes.Ithink,Emma,Ishalltryandpersuadehertostaylongerwithus.Sheandthechildrenmightstayverywell.\'
`Ah!papa-thatiswhatyouneverhavebeenabletoaccomplish,andIdonotthinkyoueverwill.Isabellacannotbeartostaybehindherhusband.\'
Thiswastootrueforcontradiction.Unwelcomeasitwas,Mr.Woodhousecouldonlygiveasubmissivesigh;andasEmmasawhisspiritsaffectedbytheideaofhisdaughter\'sattachmenttoherhusband,sheimmediatelyledtosuchabranchofthesubjectasmustraisethem.
`Harrietmustgiveusasmuchofhercompanyasshecanwhilemybrotherandsisterarehere.Iamsureshewillbepleasedwiththechildren.Weareveryproudofthechildren,arenotwe,papa?Iwonderwhichshewillthinkthehandsomest,HenryorJohn?\'
`Aye,Iwonderwhichshewill.Poorlittledears,howgladtheywillbetocome.TheyareveryfondofbeingatHartfield,Harriet.\'
`Idaresaytheyare,sir.IamsureIdonotknowwhoisnot.\'
`Henryisafineboy,butJohnisverylikehismama.Henryistheeldest,hewasnamedafterme,notafterhisfather.John,thesecond,isnamedafterhisfather.Somepeoplearesurprized,Ibelieve,thattheeldestwasnot,butIsabellawouldhavehimcalledHenry,whichIthoughtveryprettyofher.Andheisaverycleverboy,indeed.Theyareallremarkablyclever;andtheyhavesomanyprettyways.Theywillcomeandstandbymychair,andsay,``Grandpapa,canyougivemeabitofstring?\'\'andonceHenryaskedmeforaknife,butItoldhimkniveswereonlymadeforgrandpapas.Ithinktheirfatheristooroughwiththemveryoften.\'
`Heappearsroughtoyou,\'saidEmma,`becauseyouaresoverygentleyourself;butifyoucouldcomparehimwithotherpapas,youwouldnotthinkhimrough.Hewisheshisboystobeactiveandhardy;andiftheymisbehave,cangivethemasharpwordnowandthen;butheisanaffectionatefather-certainlyMr.JohnKnightleyisanaffectionatefather.Thechildrenareallfondofhim.\'
`Andthentheirunclecomesin,andtossesthemuptotheceilinginaveryfrightfulway!\'
`Buttheylikeit,papa;thereisnothingtheylikesomuch.Itissuchenjoymenttothem,thatiftheiruncledidnotlaydowntheruleoftheirtakingturns,whicheverbeganwouldnevergivewaytotheother.\'
`Well,Icannotunderstandit.\'
`Thatisthecasewithusall,papa.Onehalfoftheworldcannotunderstandthepleasuresoftheother.\'
Laterinthemorning,andjustasthegirlsweregoingtoseparateinpreparationfortheregularfouro\'clockdinner,theheroofthisinimitablecharadewalkedinagain.Harrietturnedaway;butEmmacouldreceivehimwiththeusualsmile,andherquickeyesoondiscernedinhistheconsciousnessofhavingmadeapush-ofhavingthrownadie;andsheimaginedhewascometoseehowitmightturnup.Hisostensiblereason,however,wastoaskwhetherMr.Woodhouse\'spartycouldbemadeupintheeveningwithouthim,orwhetherheshouldbeinthesmallestdegreenecessaryatHartfield.Ifhewere,everythingelsemustgiveway;butotherwisehisfriendColehadbeensayingsomuchabouthisdiningwithhim-hadmadesuchapointofit,thathehadpromisedhimconditionallytocome.
Emmathankedhim,butcouldnotallowofhisdisappointinghisfriendontheiraccount;herfatherwassureofhisrubber.Here-urged-shere-declined;andheseemedthenabouttomakehisbow,whentakingthepaperfromthetable,shereturnedit-
`Oh!hereisthecharadeyouweresoobligingastoleavewithus;thankyouforthesightofit.Weadmireditsomuch,thatIhaveventuredtowriteitintoMissSmith\'scollection.YourfriendwillnottakeitamissIhope.OfcourseIhavenottranscribedbeyondthefirsteightlines.\'
Mr.Eltoncertainlydidnotverywellknowwhattosay.Helookedratherdoubtingly-ratherconfused;saidsomethingabout`honour,\'-glancedatEmmaandatHarriet,andthenseeingthebookopenonthetable,tookitup,andexamineditveryattentively.Withtheviewofpassingoffanawkwardmoment,Emmasmilinglysaid,
`Youmustmakemyapologiestoyourfriend;butsogoodacharademustnotbeconfinedtooneortwo.Hemaybesureofeverywoman\'sapprobationwhilehewriteswithsuchgallantry.\'
`Ihavenohesitationinsaying,\'repliedMr.Elton,thoughhesitatingagooddealwhilehespoke;`Ihavenohesitationinsaying-atleastifmyfriendfeelsatallasIdo-Ihavenotthesmallestdoubtthat,couldheseehislittleeffusionhonouredasIseeit,lookingatthebookagain,andreplacingitonthetable,hewouldconsideritastheproudestmomentofhislife.\'
Afterthisspeechhewasgoneassoonaspossible.Emmacouldnotthinkittoosoon;forwithallhisgoodandagreeablequalities,therewasasortofparadeinhisspeecheswhichwasveryapttoinclinehertolaugh.Sheranawaytoindulgetheinclination,leavingthetenderandthesublimeofpleasuretoHarriet\'sshare.
CHAPTERX
ThoughnowthemiddleofDecember,therehadyetbeennoweathertopreventtheyoungladiesfromtolerablyregularexercise;andonthemorrow,Emmahadacharitablevisittopaytoapoorsickfamily,wholivedalittlewayoutofHighbury.
TheirroadtothisdetachedcottagewasdownVicarageLane,alaneleadingatrightanglesfromthebroad,thoughirregular,mainstreetoftheplace;and,asmaybeinferred,containingtheblessedabodeofMr.Elton.Afewinferiordwellingswerefirsttobepassed,andthen,aboutaquarterofamiledownthelanerosetheVicarage,anoldandnotverygoodhouse,almostasclosetotheroadasitcouldbe.Ithadnoadvantageofsituation;buthadbeenverymuchsmartenedupbythepresentproprietor;and,suchasitwas,therecouldbenopossibilityofthetwofriendspassingitwithoutaslackenedpaceandobservingeyes-Emma\'sremarkwas-
`Thereitis.Theregoyouandyourriddle-bookoneofthesedays.\'-Harriet\'swas-
`Oh,whatasweethouse!-Howverybeautiful!-TherearetheyellowcurtainsthatMissNashadmiressomuch.\'
`Idonotoftenwalkthiswaynow,\'saidEmma,astheyproceeded,`butthentherewillbeaninducement,andIshallgraduallygetintimatelyacquaintedwithallthehedges,gates,poolsandpollardsofthispartofHighbury.\'
Harriet,shefound,hadneverinherlifebeenwithinsidetheVicarage,andhercuriositytoseeitwassoextreme,that,consideringexteriorsandprobabilities,Emmacouldonlyclassit,asaproofoflove,withMr.Elton\'sseeingreadywitinher.
`Iwishwecouldcontriveit,\'saidshe;`butIcannotthinkofanytolerablepretenceforgoingin;-noservantthatIwanttoinquireaboutofhishousekeeper-nomessagefrommyfather.\'
Shepondered,butcouldthinkofnothing.Afteramutualsilenceofsomeminutes,Harrietthusbeganagain-
`Idosowonder,MissWoodhouse,thatyoushouldnotbemarried,orgoingtobemarried!socharmingasyouare!\'-
Emmalaughed,andreplied,
`Mybeingcharming,Harriet,isnotquiteenoughtoinducemetomarry;Imustfindotherpeoplecharming-oneotherpersonatleast.AndIamnotonly,notgoingtobemarried,atpresent,buthaveverylittleintentionofevermarryingatall.\'
`Ah!-soyousay;butIcannotbelieveit.\'
`ImustseesomebodyverysuperiortoanyoneIhaveseenyet,tobetempted;Mr.Elton,youknow,recollectingherself,isoutofthequestion:andIdonotwishtoseeanysuchperson.Iwouldrathernotbetempted.Icannotreallychangeforthebetter.IfIweretomarry,Imustexpecttorepentit.\'
`Dearme!-itissooddtohearawomantalkso!\'-
`Ihavenoneoftheusualinducementsofwomentomarry.WereItofallinlove,indeed,itwouldbeadifferentthing!butIneverhavebeeninlove;itisnotmyway,ormynature;andIdonotthinkIevershall.And,withoutlove,IamsureIshouldbeafooltochangesuchasituationasmine.FortuneIdonotwant;employmentIdonotwant;consequenceIdonotwant:Ibelievefewmarriedwomenarehalfasmuchmistressoftheirhusband\'shouseasIamofHartfield;andnever,nevercouldIexpecttobesotrulybelovedandimportant;soalwaysfirstandalwaysrightinanyman\'seyesasIaminmyfather\'s.\'
`Butthen,tobeanoldmaidatlast,likeMissBates!\'
`Thatisasformidableanimageasyoucouldpresent,Harriet;andifIthoughtIshouldeverbelikeMissBates!sosilly-sosatisfied-sosmiling-soprosing-soundistinguishingandunfastidious-andsoapttotelleverythingrelativetoeverybodyaboutme,Iwouldmarryto-morrow.Butbetweenus,Iamconvincedtherenevercanbeanylikeness,exceptinbeingunmarried.\'
`Butstill,youwillbeanoldmaid!andthat\'ssodreadful!\'
`Nevermind,Harriet,Ishallnotbeapooroldmaid;anditispovertyonlywhichmakescelibacycontemptibletoagenerouspublic!Asinglewoman,withaverynarrowincome,mustbearidiculous,disagreeableoldmaid!thepropersportofboysandgirls,butasinglewoman,ofgoodfortune,isalwaysrespectable,andmaybeassensibleandpleasantasanybodyelse.Andthedistinctionisnotquitesomuchagainstthecandourandcommonsenseoftheworldasappearsatfirst;foraverynarrowincomehasatendencytocontractthemind,andsourthetemper.Thosewhocanbarelylive,andwholiveperforceinaverysmall,andgenerallyveryinferior,society,maywellbeilliberalandcross.Thisdoesnotapply,however,toMissBates;sheisonlytoogoodnaturedandtoosillytosuitme;but,ingeneral,sheisverymuchtothetasteofeverybody,thoughsingleandthoughpoor.Povertycertainlyhasnotcontractedhermind:Ireallybelieve,ifshehadonlyashillingintheworld,shewouldbeverylikelytogiveawaysixpenceofit;andnobodyisafraidofher:thatisagreatcharm.\'
`Dearme!butwhatshallyoudo?howshallyouemployyourselfwhenyougrowold?\'
`IfIknowmyself,Harriet,mineisanactive,busymind,withagreatmanyindependentresources;andIdonotperceivewhyIshouldbemoreinwantofemploymentatfortyorfiftythanone-and-twenty.Woman\'susualoccupationsofhandandmindwillbeasopentomethenastheyarenow;orwithnoimportantvariation.IfIdrawless,Ishallreadmore;ifIgiveupmusic,Ishalltaketocarpet-work.Andasforobjectsofinterest,objectsfortheaffections,whichisintruththegreatpointofinferiority,thewantofwhichisreallythegreateviltobeavoidedinnotmarrying,Ishallbeverywelloff,withallthechildrenofasisterIlovesomuch,tocareabout.Therewillbeenoughofthem,inallprobability,tosupplyeverysortofsensationthatdeclininglifecanneed.Therewillbeenoughforeveryhopeandeveryfear;andthoughmyattachmenttononecanequalthatofaparent,itsuitsmyideasofcomfortbetterthanwhatiswarmerandblinder.Mynephewsandnieces!-Ishalloftenhaveaniecewithme.\'
`DoyouknowMissBates\'sniece?Thatis,Iknowyoumusthaveseenherahundredtimes-butareyouacquainted?\'
`Oh!yes;wearealwaysforcedtobeacquaintedwhenevershecomestoHighbury.Bythebye,thatisalmostenoughtoputoneoutofconceitwithaniece.Heavenforbid!atleast,thatIshouldeverborepeoplehalfsomuchaboutalltheKnightleystogether,asshedoesaboutJaneFairfax.OneissickoftheverynameofJaneFairfax.Everyletterfromherisreadfortytimesover;hercomplimentstoallfriendsgoroundandroundagain;andifshedoesbutsendherauntthepatternofastomacher,orknitapairofgartersforhergrandmother,onehearsofnothingelseforamonth.IwishJaneFairfaxverywell;butshetiresmetodeath.\'
Theywerenowapproachingthecottage,andallidletopicsweresuperseded.Emmawasverycompassionate;andthedistressesofthepoorwereassureofrelieffromherpersonalattentionandkindness,hercounselandherpatience,asfromherpurse.Sheunderstoodtheirways,couldallowfortheirignoranceandtheirtemptations,hadnoromanticexpectationsofextraordinaryvirtuefromthoseforwhomeducationhaddonesolittle;enteredintotheirtroubleswithreadysympathy,andalwaysgaveherassistancewithasmuchintelligenceasgood-will.Inthepresentinstance,itwassicknessandpovertytogetherwhichshecametovisit;andafterremainingthereaslongasshecouldgivecomfortoradvice,shequittedthecottagewithsuchanimpressionofthesceneasmadehersaytoHarriet,astheywalkedaway,
`Thesearethesights,Harriet,todoonegood.Howtriflingtheymakeeverythingelseappear!-IfeelnowasifIcouldthinkofnothingbutthesepoorcreaturesalltherestoftheday;andyet,whocansayhowsoonitmayallvanishfrommymind?\'
`Verytrue,\'saidHarriet.`Poorcreatures!onecanthinkofnothingelse.\'
`Andreally,Idonotthinktheimpressionwillsoonbeover,\'saidEmma,asshecrossedthelowhedge,andtotteringfootstepwhichendedthenarrow,slipperypaththroughthecottagegarden,andbroughtthemintothelaneagain.`Idonotthinkitwill,\'stoppingtolookoncemoreatalltheoutwardwretchednessoftheplace,andrecallthestillgreaterwithin.
`Oh!dear,no,\'saidhercompanion.
Theywalkedon.Thelanemadeaslightbend;andwhenthatbendwaspassed,Mr.Eltonwasimmediatelyinsight;andsonearastogiveEmmatimeonlytosayfarther,
`Ah!Harriet,herecomesaverysuddentrialofourstabilityingoodthoughts.Well,smiling,Ihopeitmaybeallowedthatifcompassionhasproducedexertionandrelieftothesufferers,ithasdoneallthatistrulyimportant.Ifwefeelforthewretched,enoughtodoallwecanforthem,therestisemptysympathy,onlydistressingtoourselves.\'
Harrietcouldjustanswer,`Oh!dear,yes,\'beforethegentlemanjoinedthem.Thewantsandsufferingsofthepoorfamily,however,werethefirstsubjectonmeeting.Hehadbeengoingtocallonthem.Hisvisithewouldnowdefer;buttheyhadaveryinterestingparleyaboutwhatcouldbedoneandshouldbedone.Mr.Eltonthenturnedbacktoaccompanythem.
`Tofallinwitheachotheronsuchanerrandasthis,\'thoughtEmma;`tomeetinacharitablescheme;thiswillbringagreatincreaseofloveoneachside.Ishouldnotwonderifitweretobringonthedeclaration.Itmust,ifIwerenothere.IwishIwereanywhereelse.\'
Anxioustoseparateherselffromthemasfarasshecould,shesoonafterwardstookpossessionofanarrowfootpath,alittleraisedononesideofthelane,leavingthemtogetherinthemainroad.ButshehadnotbeentheretwominuteswhenshefoundthatHarriet\'shabitsofdependenceandimitationwerebringingheruptoo,andthat,inshort,theywouldbothbesoonafterher.Thiswouldnotdo;sheimmediatelystopped,underpretenceofhavingsomealterationtomakeinthelacingofherhalf-boot,andstoopingdownincompleteoccupationofthefootpath,beggedthemtohavethegoodnesstowalkon,andshewouldfollowinhalfaminute.Theydidastheyweredesired;andbythetimeshejudgeditreasonabletohavedonewithherboot,shehadthecomfortoffartherdelayinherpower,beingovertakenbyachildfromthecottage,settingout,accordingtoorders,withherpitcher,tofetchbrothfromHartfield.Towalkbythesideofthischild,andtalktoandquestionher,wasthemostnaturalthingintheworld,orwouldhavebeenthemostnatural,hadshebeenactingjustthenwithoutdesign;andbythismeanstheotherswerestillabletokeepahead,withoutanyobligationofwaitingforher.Shegainedonthem,however,involuntarily:thechild\'spacewasquick,andtheirsratherslow;andshewasthemoreconcernedatit,fromtheirbeingevidentlyinaconversationwhichinterestedthem.Mr.Eltonwasspeakingwithanimation,Harrietlisteningwithaverypleasedattention;andEmma,havingsentthechildon,wasbeginningtothinkhowshemightdrawbackalittlemore,whentheybothlookedaround,andshewasobligedtojointhem.
Mr.Eltonwasstilltalking,stillengagedinsomeinterestingdetail;andEmmaexperiencedsomedisappointmentwhenshefoundthathewasonlygivinghisfaircompanionanaccountoftheyesterday\'spartyathisfriendCole\'s,andthatshewascomeinherselffortheStiltoncheese,thenorthWiltshire,thebutter,thecellery,thebeet-root,andallthedessert.
`Thiswouldsoonhaveledtosomethingbetter,ofcourse,\'washerconsolingreflection;`anythinginterestsbetweenthosewholove;andanythingwillserveasintroductiontowhatisneartheheart.IfIcouldbuthavekeptlongeraway!\'
Theynowwalkedontogetherquietly,tillwithinviewofthevicaragepales,whenasuddenresolution,ofatleastgettingHarrietintothehouse,madeheragainfindsomethingverymuchamissaboutherboot,andfallbehindtoarrangeitoncemore.Shethenbrokethelaceoffshort,anddexterouslythrowingitintoaditch,waspresentlyobligedtoentreatthemtostop,andacknowledgedherinabilitytoputherselftorightssoastobeabletowalkhomeintolerablecomfort.
`Partofmylaceisgone,\'saidshe,`andIdonotknowhowIamtocontrive.Ireallyamamosttroublesomecompaniontoyouboth,butIhopeIamnotoftensoill-equipped.Mr.Elton,Imustbegleavetostopatyourhouse,andaskyourhousekeeperforabitofribbandorstring,oranythingjusttokeepmybooton.\'
Mr.Eltonlookedallhappinessatthisproposition;andnothingcouldexceedhisalertnessandattentioninconductingthemintohishouseandendeavouringtomakeeverythingappeartoadvantage.Theroomtheyweretakenintowastheonehechieflyoccupied,andlookingforwards;behinditwasanotherwithwhichitimmediatelycommunicated;thedoorbetweenthemwasopen,andEmmapassedintoitwiththehousekeepertoreceiveherassistanceinthemostcomfortablemanner.Shewasobligedtoleavethedoorajarasshefoundit;butshefullyintendedthatMr.Eltonshouldcloseit.Itwasnotclosed,however,itstillremainedajar;butbyengagingthehousekeeperinincessantconversation,shehopedtomakeitpracticableforhimtochusehisownsubjectintheadjoiningroom.Fortenminutesshecouldhearnothingbutherself.Itcouldbeprotractednolonger.Shewasthenobligedtobefinished,andmakeherappearance.
Theloverswerestandingtogetheratoneofthewindows.Ithadamostfavourableaspect;and,forhalfaminute,Emmafeltthegloryofhavingschemedsuccessfully.Butitwouldnotdo;hehadnotcometothepoint.Hehadbeenmostagreeable,mostdelightful;hehadtoldHarrietthathehadseenthemgoby,andhadpurposelyfollowedthem;otherlittlegallantriesandallusionshadbeendropt,butnothingserious.
`Cautious,verycautious,\'thoughtEmma;`headvancesinchbyinch,andwillhazardnothingtillhebelieveshimselfsecure.\'
Still,however,thougheverythinghadnotbeenaccomplishedbyheringeniousdevice,shecouldnotbutflatterherselfthatithadbeentheoccasionofmuchpresentenjoymenttoboth,andmustbeleadingthemforwardtothegreatevent.
CHAPTERXI
Mr.Eltonmustnowbelefttohimself.ItwasnolongerinEmma\'spowertosuperintendhishappinessorquickenhismeasures.Thecomingofhersister\'sfamilywassoverynearathand,thatfirstinanticipation,andtheninreality,itbecamehenceforthherprimeobjectofinterest;andduringthetendaysoftheirstayatHartfielditwasnottobeexpected-shedidnotherselfexpect-thatanythingbeyondoccasional,fortuitousassistancecouldbeaffordedbyhertothelovers.Theymightadvancerapidlyiftheywould,however;theymustadvancesomehoworotherwhethertheywouldorno.Shehardlywishedtohavemoreleisureforthem.Therearepeople,whothemoreyoudoforthem,thelesstheywilldoforthemselves.
Mr.andMrs.JohnKnightley,fromhavingbeenlongerthanusualabsentfromSurry,wereexcitingofcourserathermorethantheusualinterest.Tillthisyear,everylongvacationsincetheirmarriagehadbeendividedbetweenHartfieldandDonwellAbbey;butalltheholidaysofthisautumnhadbeengiventosea-bathingforthechildren,anditwasthereforemanymonthssincetheyhadbeenseeninaregularwaybytheirSurryconnexions,orseenatallbyMr.Woodhouse,whocouldnotbeinducedtogetsofarasLondon,evenforpoorIsabella\'ssake;andwhoconsequentlywasnowmostnervouslyandapprehensivelyhappyinforestallingthistooshortvisit.
Hethoughtmuchoftheevilsofthejourneyforher,andnotalittleofthefatiguesofhisownhorsesandcoachmanwhoweretobringsomeofthepartythelasthalfoftheway;buthisalarmswereneedless;thesixteenmilesbeinghappilyaccomplished,andMr.andMrs.JohnKnightley,theirfivechildren,andacompetentnumberofnursery-maids,allreachingHartfieldinsafety.Thebustleandjoyofsuchanarrival,themanytobetalkedto,welcomed,encouraged,andvariouslydispersedanddisposedof,producedanoiseandconfusionwhichhisnervescouldnothaveborneunderanyothercause,norhaveenduredmuchlongerevenforthis;butthewaysofHartfieldandthefeelingsofherfatherweresorespectedbyMrs.JohnKnightley,thatinspiteofmaternalsolicitudefortheimmediateenjoymentofherlittleones,andfortheirhavinginstantlyallthelibertyandattendance,alltheeatinganddrinking,andsleepingandplaying,whichtheycouldpossiblywishfor,withoutthesmallestdelay,thechildrenwereneverallowedtobelongadisturbancetohim,eitherinthemselvesorinanyrestlessattendanceonthem.
Mrs.JohnKnightleywasapretty,elegantlittlewoman,ofgentle,quietmanners,andadispositionremarkablyamiableandaffectionate;wraptupinherfamily;adevotedwife,adoatingmother,andsotenderlyattachedtoherfatherandsisterthat,butforthesehigherties,awarmerlovemighthaveseemedimpossible.Shecouldneverseeafaultinanyofthem.Shewasnotawomanofstrongunderstandingoranyquickness;andwiththisresemblanceofherfather,sheinheritedalsomuchofhisconstitution;wasdelicateinherownhealth,over-carefulofthatofherchildren,hadmanyfearsandmanynerves,andwasasfondofherownMr.WingfieldintownasherfathercouldbeofMr.Perry.Theywerealiketoo,inageneralbenevolenceoftemper,andastronghabitofregardforeveryoldacquaintance.
Mr.JohnKnightleywasatall,gentleman-like,andverycleverman;risinginhisprofession,domestic,andrespectableinhisprivatecharacter;butwithreservedmannerswhichpreventedhisbeinggenerallypleasing;andcapableofbeingsometimesoutofhumour.Hewasnotanill-temperedman,notsooftenunreasonablycrossastodeservesuchareproach;buthistemperwasnothisgreatperfection;and,indeed,withsuchaworshippingwife,itwashardlypossiblethatanynaturaldefectsinitshouldnotbeincreased.Theextremesweetnessofhertempermusthurthis.Hehadalltheclearnessandquicknessofmindwhichshewanted,andhecouldsometimesactanungracious,orsayaseverething.
Hewasnotagreatfavouritewithhisfairsister-in-law.Nothingwronginhimescapedher.ShewasquickinfeelingthelittleinjuriestoIsabella,whichIsabellaneverfeltherself.PerhapsshemighthavepassedovermorehadhismannersbeenflatteringtoIsabella\'ssister,buttheywereonlythoseofacalmlykindbrotherandfriend,withoutpraiseandwithoutblindness;buthardlyanydegreeofpersonalcomplimentcouldhavemadeherregardlessofthatgreatestfaultofallinhereyeswhichhesometimesfellinto,thewantofrespectfulforbearancetowardsherfather.Therehehadnotalwaysthepatiencethatcouldhavebeenwished.Mr.Woodhouse\'speculiaritiesandfidgetinessweresometimesprovokinghimtoarationalremonstranceorsharpretortequallyill-bestowed.Itdidnotoftenhappen;forMr.JohnKnightleyhadreallyagreatregardforhisfather-in-law,andgenerallyastrongsenseofwhatwasduetohim;butitwastoooftenforEmma\'scharity,especiallyastherewasallthepainofapprehensionfrequentlytobeendured,thoughtheoffencecamenot.Thebeginning,however,ofeveryvisitdisplayednonebuttheproperestfeelings,andthisbeingofnecessitysoshortmightbehopedtopassawayinunsulliedcordiality.TheyhadnotbeenlongseatedandcomposedwhenMr.Woodhouse,withamelancholyshakeoftheheadandasigh,calledhisdaughter\'sattentiontothesadchangeatHartfieldsinceshehadbeentherelast.
`Ah,mydear,\'saidhe,`poorMissTaylor-Itisagrievousbusiness.\'
`Ohyes,sir,\'criedshewithreadysympathy,`howyoumustmissher!AnddearEmma,too!-Whatadreadfullosstoyouboth!-Ihavebeensogrievedforyou-Icouldnotimaginehowyoucouldpossiblydowithouther-Itisasadchangeindeed-ButIhopesheisprettywell,sir.\'
`Prettywell,mydear-Ihope-prettywell-Idonotknowbutthattheplaceagreeswithhertolerably.\'
Mr.JohnKnightleyhereaskedEmmaquietlywhethertherewereanydoubtsoftheairofRandalls.
`Oh!no-noneintheleast.IneversawMrs.Westonbetterinmylife-neverlookingsowell.Papaisonlyspeakinghisownregret.\'
`Verymuchtothehonourofboth,\'wasthehandsomereply.
`Anddoyouseeher,sir,tolerablyoften?\'askedIsabellaintheplaintivetonewhichjustsuitedherfather.
Mr.Woodhousehesitated-`Notnearsooften,mydear,asIcouldwish.\'
`Oh!papa,wehavemissedseeingthembutoneentiredaysincetheymarried.Eitherinthemorningoreveningofeveryday,exceptingone,haveweseeneitherMr.WestonorMrs.Weston,andgenerallyboth,eitheratRandallsorhere-andasyoumaysuppose,Isabella,mostfrequentlyhere.Theyarevery,verykindintheirvisits.Mr.Westonisreallyaskindasherself.Papa,ifyouspeakinthatmelancholyway,youwillbegivingIsabellaafalseideaofusall.EverybodymustbeawarethatMissTaylormustbemissed,buteverybodyoughtalsotobeassuredthatMr.andMrs.Westondoreallypreventourmissingherbyanymeanstotheextentweourselvesanticipated-whichistheexacttruth.\'
`Justasitshouldbe,\'saidMr.JohnKnightley,`andjustasIhopeditwasfromyourletters.Herwishofshewingyouattentioncouldnotbedoubted,andhisbeingadisengagedandsocialmanmakesitalleasy.Ihavebeenalwaystellingyou,mylove,thatIhadnoideaofthechangebeingsoverymaterialtoHartfieldasyouapprehended;andnowyouhaveEmma\'saccount,Ihopeyouwillbesatisfied.\'
`Why,tobesure,\'saidMr.Woodhouse-`yes,certainly-IcannotdenythatMrs.Weston,poorMrs.Weston,doescomeandseeusprettyoften-butthen-sheisalwaysobligedtogoawayagain.\'
`ItwouldbeveryharduponMr.Westonifshedidnot,papa-YouquiteforgetpoorMr.Weston.\'
`Ithink,indeed,\'saidJohnKnightleypleasantly,`thatMr.Westonhassomelittleclaim.YouandI,Emma,willventuretotakethepartofthepoorhusband.I,beingahusband,andyounotbeingawife,theclaimsofthemanmayverylikelystrikeuswithequalforce.AsforIsabella,shehasbeenmarriedlongenoughtoseetheconvenienceofputtingalltheMr.Westonsasideasmuchasshecan.\'
`Me,mylove,\'criedhiswife,hearingandunderstandingonlyinpart-`Areyoutalkingaboutme?-Iamsurenobodyoughttobe,orcanbe,agreateradvocateformatrimonythanIam;andifithadnotbeenforthemiseryofherleavingHartfield,IshouldneverhavethoughtofMissTaylorbutasthemostfortunatewomanintheworld;andastoslightingMr.Weston,thatexcellentMr.Weston,Ithinkthereisnothinghedoesnotdeserve.Ibelieveheisoneoftheverybest-temperedmenthateverexisted.Exceptingyourselfandyourbrother,Idonotknowhisequalfortemper.IshallneverforgethisflyingHenry\'skiteforhimthatverywindydaylastEaster-andeversincehisparticularkindnesslastSeptembertwelvemonthinwritingthatnote,attwelveo\'clockatnight,onpurposetoassuremethattherewasnoscarletfeveratCobham,Ihavebeenconvincedtherecouldnotbeamorefeelingheartnorabettermaninexistence-Ifanybodycandeservehim,itmustbeMissTaylor.\'
`Whereistheyoungman?\'saidJohnKnightley.`Hashebeenhereonthisoccasion-orhashenot?\'
`Hehasnotbeenhereyet,\'repliedEmma.`Therewasastrongexpectationofhiscomingsoonafterthemarriage,butitendedinnothing;andIhavenotheardhimmentionedlately.\'
`Butyoushouldtellthemoftheletter,mydear,\'saidherfather.`HewrotealettertopoorMrs.Weston,tocongratulateher,andaveryproper,handsomeletteritwas.Sheshewedittome.Ithoughtitverywelldoneofhimindeed.Whetheritwashisownideayouknow,onecannottell.Heisbutyoung,andhisuncle,perhaps-\'
`Mydearpapa,heisthree-and-twenty.Youforgethowtimepasses.\'
`Three-and-twenty!-isheindeed?-Well,Icouldnothavethoughtit-andhewasbuttwoyearsoldwhenhelosthispoormother!Well,timedoesflyindeed!-andmymemoryisverybad.However,itwasanexceedinggood,prettyletter,andgaveMr.andMrs.Westonagreatdealofpleasure.IrememberitwaswrittenfromWeymouth,anddatedSept.28th-andbegan,``MydearMadam,\'\'butIforgethowitwenton;anditwassigned``F.C.WestonChurchill.\'\'-Irememberthatperfectly.\'
`Howverypleasingandproperofhim!\'criedthegood-heartedMrs.JohnKnightley.`Ihavenodoubtofhisbeingamostamiableyoungman.Buthowsaditisthatheshouldnotliveathomewithhisfather!Thereissomethingsoshockinginachild\'sbeingtakenawayfromhisparentsandnaturalhome!InevercouldcomprehendhowMr.Westoncouldpartwithhim.Togiveupone\'schild!Ireallynevercouldthinkwellofanybodywhoproposedsuchathingtoanybodyelse.\'
`NobodyeverdidthinkwelloftheChurchills,Ifancy,\'observedMr.JohnKnightleycoolly.`ButyouneednotimagineMr.WestontohavefeltwhatyouwouldfeelingivingupHenryorJohn.Mr.Westonisratheraneasy,cheerful-temperedman,thanamanofstrongfeelings;hetakesthingsashefindsthem,andmakesenjoymentofthemsomehoworother,depending,Isuspect,muchmoreuponwhatiscalledsocietyforhiscomforts,thatis,uponthepowerofeatinganddrinking,andplayingwhistwithhisneighboursfivetimesaweek,thanuponfamilyaffection,oranythingthathomeaffords.\'