`Iamverymuchastonished,Mr.Elton.Thist`Yes,\'saidJohnKnightley,`andIthinkweshallhaveagooddealofit.\'
`Christmasweather,\'observedMr.Elton.`Quiteseasonable;andextremelyfortunatewemaythinkourselvesthatitdidnotbeginyesterday,andpreventthisday\'sparty,whichitmightverypossiblyhavedone,forMr.Woodhousewouldhardlyhaveventuredhadtherebeenmuchsnowontheground;butnowitisofnoconsequence.Thisisquitetheseasonindeedforfriendlymeetings.AtChristmaseverybodyinvitestheirfriendsaboutthem,andpeoplethinklittleofeventheworstweather.Iwassnowedupatafriend\'shouseonceforaweek.Nothingcouldbepleasanter.Iwentforonlyonenight,andcouldnotgetawaytillthatverydayse\'nnight.\'
Mr.JohnKnightleylookedasifhedidnotcomprehendthepleasure,butsaidonly,coolly,
`IcannotwishtobesnowedupaweekatRandalls.\'
AtanothertimeEmmamighthavebeenamused,butshewastoomuchastonishednowatMr.Elton\'sspiritsforotherfeelings.Harrietseemedquiteforgottenintheexpectationofapleasantparty.
`Wearesureofexcellentfires,\'continuedhe,`andeverythinginthegreatestcomfort.Charmingpeople,Mr.andMrs.Weston;-Mrs.Westonindeedismuchbeyondpraise,andheisexactlywhatonevalues,sohospitable,andsofondofsociety;-itwillbeasmallparty,butwheresmallpartiesareselect,theyareperhapsthemostagreeableofany.Mr.Weston\'sdining-roomdoesnotaccommodatemorethantencomfortably;andformypart,Iwouldrather,undersuchcircumstances,fallshortbytwothanexceedbytwo.Ithinkyouwillagreewithme,turningwithasoftairtoEmma,IthinkIshallcertainlyhaveyourapprobation,thoughMr.Knightleyperhaps,frombeingusedtothelargepartiesofLondon,maynotquiteenterintoourfeelings.\'
`IknownothingofthelargepartiesofLondon,sir-Ineverdinewithanybody.\'
`Indeed!inatoneofwonderandpity,Ihadnoideathatthelawhadbeensogreataslavery.Well,sir,thetimemustcomewhenyouwillbepaidforallthis,whenyouwillhavelittlelabourandgreatenjoyment.\'
`Myfirstenjoyment,\'repliedJohnKnightley,astheypassedthroughthesweep-gate,`willbetofindmyselfsafeatHartfieldagain.\'
CHAPTERXIV
SomechangeofcountenancewasnecessaryforeachgentlemanastheywalkedintoMrs.Weston\'sdrawing-room;-Mr.Eltonmustcomposehisjoyouslooks,andMr.JohnKnightleydispersehisill-humour.Mr.Eltonmustsmileless,andMr.JohnKnightleymore,tofitthemfortheplace-Emmaonlymightbeasnatureprompted,andshewherselfjustashappyasshewas.ToheritwasrealenjoymenttobewiththeWestons.Mr.Westonwasagreatfavourite,andtherewasnotacreatureintheworldtowhomshespokewithsuchunreserve,astohiswife;notanyone,towhomsherelatedwithsuchconvictionofbeinglistenedtoandunderstood,ofbeingalwaysinterestingandalwaysintelligible,thelittleaffairs,arrangements,perplexities,andpleasuresofherfatherandherself.ShecouldtellnothingofHartfield,inwhichMrs.Westonhadnotalivelyconcern;andhalfanhour\'suninterruptedcommunicationofallthoselittlemattersonwhichthedailyhappinessofprivatelifedepends,wasoneofthefirstgratificationsofeach.
Thiswasapleasurewhichperhapsthewholeday\'svisitmightnotafford,whichcertainlydidnotbelongtothepresenthalf-hour;buttheverysightofMrs.Weston,hersmile,hertouch,hervoicewasgratefultoEmma,andshedeterminedtothinkaslittleaspossibleofMr.Elton\'soddities,orofanythingelseunpleasant,andenjoyallthatwasenjoyabletotheutmost.
ThemisfortuneofHarriet\'scoldhadbeenprettywellgonethroughbeforeherarrival.Mr.Woodhousehadbeensafelyseatedlongenoughtogivethehistoryofit,besidesallthehistoryofhisownandIsabella\'scoming,andofEmma\'sbeingtofollow,andhadindeedjustgottotheendofhissatisfactionthatJamesshouldcomeandseehisdaughter,whentheothersappeared,andMrs.Weston,whohadbeenalmostwhollyengrossedbyherattentionstohim,wasabletoturnawayandwelcomeherdearEmma.
Emma\'sprojectofforgettingMr.Eltonforawhilemadeherrathersorrytofind,whentheyhadalltakentheirplaces,thathewasclosetoher.ThedifficultywasgreatofdrivinghisstrangeinsensibilitytowardsHarriet,fromhermind,whilehenotonlysatatherelbow,butwascontinuallyobtrudinghishappycountenanceonhernotice,andsolicitouslyaddressingheruponeveryoccasion.Insteadofforgettinghim,hisbehaviourwassuchthatshecouldnotavoidtheinternalsuggestionof`Canitreallybeasmybrotherimagined?canitbepossibleforthismantobebeginningtotransferhisaffectionsfromHarriettome?-Absurdandinsufferable!\'-Yethewouldbesoanxiousforherbeingperfectlywarm,wouldbesointerestedaboutherfather,andsodelightedwithMrs.Weston;andatlastwouldbeginadmiringherdrawingswithsomuchzealandsolittleknowledgeasseemedterriblylikeawould-belover,andmadeitsomeeffortwithhertopreservehergoodmanners.Forherownsakeshecouldnotberude;andforHarriet\'s,inthehopethatallwouldyetturnoutright,shewasevenpositivelycivil;butitwasaneffort;especiallyassomethingwasgoingonamongsttheothers,inthemostoverpoweringperiodofMr.Elton\'snonsense,whichsheparticularlywishedtolistento.SheheardenoughtoknowthatMr.Westonwasgivingsomeinformationabouthisson;sheheardthewords`myson,\'and`Frank,\'and`myson,\'repeatedseveraltimesover;and,fromafewotherhalf-syllablesverymuchsuspectedthathewasannouncinganearlyvisitfromhisson;butbeforeshecouldquietMr.Elton,thesubjectwassocompletelypastthatanyrevivingquestionfromherwouldhavebeenawkward.
Now,itsohappenedthatinspiteofEmma\'sresolutionofnevermarrying,therewassomethinginthename,intheideaofMr.FrankChurchill,whichalwaysinterestedher.Shehadfrequentlythought-especiallysincehisfather\'smarriagewithMissTaylor-thatifsheweretomarry,hewastheverypersontosuitherinage,characterandcondition.Heseemedbythisconnexionbetweenthefamilies,quitetobelongtoher.Shecouldnotbutsupposeittobeamatchthateverybodywhoknewthemmustthinkof.ThatMr.andMrs.Westondidthinkofit,shewasverystronglypersuaded;andthoughnotmeaningtobeinducedbyhim,orbyanybodyelse,togiveupasituationwhichshebelievedmorerepletewithgoodthananyshecouldchangeitfor,shehadagreatcuriositytoseehim,adecidedintentionoffindinghimpleasant,ofbeinglikedbyhimtoacertaindegree,andasortofpleasureintheideaoftheirbeingcoupledintheirfriends\'imaginations.
Withsuchsensations,Mr.Elton\'scivilitiesweredreadfullyill-timed;butshehadthecomfortofappearingverypolite,whilefeelingverycross-andofthinkingthattherestofthevisitcouldnotpossiblypasswithoutbringingforwardthesameinformationagain,orthesubstanceofit,fromtheopen-heartedMr.Weston-Soitproved;-forwhenhappilyreleasedfromMr.Elton,andseatedbyMr.Weston,atdinner,hemadeuseoftheveryfirstintervalinthecaresofhospitality,theveryfirstleisurefromthesaddleofmutton,tosaytoher,
`Wewantonlytwomoretobejusttherightnumber.Ishouldliketoseetwomorehere,-yourprettylittlefriend,MissSmith,andmyson-andthenIshouldsaywewerequitecomplete.Ibelieveyoudidnothearmetellingtheothersinthedrawing-roomthatweareexpectingFrank.Ihadaletterfromhimthismorning,andhewillbewithuswithinafortnight.\'
Emmaspokewithaveryproperdegreeofpleasure;andfullyassentedtohispropositionofMr.FrankChurchillandMissSmithmakingtheirpartyquitecomplete.
`Hehasbeenwantingtocometous,\'continuedMr.Weston,`eversinceSeptember:everyletterhasbeenfullofit;buthecannotcommandhisowntime.Hehasthosetopleasewhomustbepleased,andwhobetweenourselvesaresometimestobepleasedonlybyagoodmanysacrifices.ButnowIhavenodoubtofseeinghimhereaboutthesecondweekinJanuary.\'
`Whataverygreatpleasureitwillbetoyou!andMrs.Westonissoanxioustobeacquaintedwithhim,thatshemustbealmostashappyasyourself.\'
`Yes,shewouldbe,butthatshethinkstherewillbeanotherput-off.ShedoesnotdependuponhiscomingsomuchasIdo:butshedoesnotknowthepartiessowellasIdo.Thecase,yousee,is-butthisisquitebetweenourselves:Ididnotmentionasyllableofitintheotherroom.Therearesecretsinallfamilies,youknow-Thecaseis,thatapartyoffriendsareinvitedtopayavisitatEnscombeinJanuary;andthatFrank\'scomingdependsupontheirbeingputoff.Iftheyarenotputoff,hecannotstir.ButIknowtheywill,becauseitisafamilythatacertainlady,ofsomeconsequence,atEnscombe,hasaparticulardisliketo:andthoughitisthoughtnecessarytoinvitethemonceintwoorthreeyears,theyalwaysareputoffwhenitcomestothepoint.Ihavenotthesmallestdoubtoftheissue.IamasconfidentofseeingFrankherebeforethemiddleofJanuary,asIamofbeingheremyself:butyourgoodfriendtherenoddingtowardstheupperendofthetablehassofewvagariesherself,andhasbeensolittleusedtothematHartfield,thatshecannotcalculateontheireffects,asIhavebeenlonginthepracticeofdoing.\'
`Iamsorrythereshouldbeanythinglikedoubtinthecase,\'repliedEmma;`butamdisposedtosidewithyou,Mr.Weston.Ifyouthinkhewillcome,Ishallthinksotoo;foryouknowEnscombe.\'
`Yes-Ihavesomerighttothatknowledge;thoughIhaveneverbeenattheplaceinmylife-Sheisanoddwoman!-ButIneverallowmyselftospeakillofher,onFrank\'saccount;forIdobelievehertobeveryfondofhim.Iusedtothinkshewasnotcapableofbeingfondofanybody,exceptherself:butshehasalwaysbeenkindtohiminherway-allowingforlittlewhimsandcaprices,andexpectingeverythingtobeasshelikes.Anditisnosmallcredit,inmyopinion,tohim,thatheshouldexcitesuchanaffection;for,thoughIwouldnotsayittoanybodyelse,shehasnomoreheartthanastonetopeopleingeneral;andthedevilofatemper.\'
Emmalikedthesubjectsowell,thatshebeganuponit,toMrs.Weston,verysoonaftertheirmovingintothedrawing-room:wishingherjoy-yetobserving,thatsheknewthefirstmeetingmustberatheralarming-Mrs.Westonagreedtoit;butadded,thatsheshouldbeverygladtobesecureofundergoingtheanxietyofafirstmeetingatthetimetalkedof:`forIcannotdependuponhiscoming.IcannotbesosanguineasMr.Weston.Iamverymuchafraidthatitwillallendinnothing.Mr.Weston,Idaresay,hasbeentellingyouexactlyhowthematterstands?\'
`Yes-itseemstodependuponnothingbuttheill-humourofMrs.Churchill,whichIimaginetobethemostcertainthingintheworld.\'
`MyEmma!\'repliedMrs.Weston,smiling,`whatisthecertaintyofcaprice?\'ThenturningtoIsabella,whohadnotbeenattendingbefore-`Youmustknow,mydearMrs.Knightley,thatwearebynomeanssosureofseeingMr.FrankChurchill,inmyopinion,ashisfatherthinks.Itdependsentirelyuponhisaunt\'sspiritsandpleasure;inshort,uponhertemper.Toyou-tomytwodaughters-Imayventureonthetruth.Mrs.ChurchillrulesatEnscombe,andisaveryodd-temperedwoman;andhiscomingnow,dependsuponherbeingwillingtosparehim.\'
`Oh,Mrs.Churchill;everybodyknowsMrs.Churchill,\'repliedIsabella:`andIamsureIneverthinkofthatpooryoungmanwithoutthegreatestcompassion.Tobeconstantlylivingwithanill-temperedperson,mustbedreadful.Itiswhatwehappilyhaveneverknownanythingof;butitmustbealifeofmisery.Whatablessing,thatsheneverhadanychildren!Poorlittlecreatures,howunhappyshewouldhavemadethem!\'
EmmawishedshehadbeenalonewithMrs.Weston.Sheshouldthenhaveheardmore:Mrs.Westonwouldspeaktoher,withadegreeofunreservewhichshewouldnothazardwithIsabella;and,shereallybelieved,wouldscarcelytrytoconcealanythingrelativetotheChurchillsfromher,exceptingthoseviewsontheyoungman,ofwhichherownimaginationhadalreadygivenhersuchinstinctiveknowledge.Butatpresenttherewasnothingmoretobesaid.Mr.Woodhouseverysoonfollowedthemintothedrawing-room.Tobesittinglongafterdinner,wasaconfinementthathecouldnotendure.Neitherwinenorconversationwasanythingtohim;andgladlydidhemovetothosewithwhomhewasalwayscomfortable.
WhilehetalkedtoIsabella,however,Emmafoundanopportunityofsaying,
`Andsoyoudonotconsiderthisvisitfromyoursonasbyanymeanscertain.Iamsorryforit.Theintroductionmustbeunpleasant,wheneverittakesplace;andthesooneritcouldbeover,thebetter.\'
`Yes;andeverydelaymakesonemoreapprehensiveofotherdelays.Evenifthisfamily,theBraithwaites,areputoff,Iamstillafraidthatsomeexcusemaybefoundfordisappointingus.Icannotbeartoimagineanyreluctanceonhisside;butIamsurethereisagreatwishontheChurchills\'tokeephimtothemselves.Thereisjealousy.Theyarejealousevenofhisregardforhisfather.Inshort,Icanfeelnodependenceonhiscoming,andIwishMr.Westonwerelesssanguine.\'
`Heoughttocome,\'saidEmma.`Ifhecouldstayonlyacoupleofdays,heoughttocome;andonecanhardlyconceiveayoungman\'snothavingitinhispowertodoasmuchasthat.Ayoungwoman,ifshefallintobadhands,maybeteazed,andkeptatadistancefromthoseshewantstobewith;butonecannotcomprehendayoungman\'sbeingundersuchrestraint,asnottobeabletospendaweekwithhisfather,ifhelikesit.\'
`OneoughttobeatEnscombe,andknowthewaysofthefamily,beforeonedecidesuponwhathecando,\'repliedMrs.Weston.`Oneoughttousethesamecaution,perhaps,injudgingoftheconductofanyoneindividualofanyonefamily;butEnscombe,Ibelieve,certainlymustnotbejudgedbygeneralrules:sheissoveryunreasonable;andeverythinggiveswaytoher.\'
`Butsheissofondofthenephew:heissoverygreatafavourite.Now,accordingtomyideaofMrs.Churchill,itwouldbemostnatural,thatwhileshemakesnosacrificeforthecomfortofthehusband,towhomsheoweseverything,whilesheexercisesincessantcapricetowardshim,sheshouldfrequentlybegovernedbythenephew,towhomsheowesnothingatall.\'
`MydearestEmma,donotpretend,withyoursweettemper,tounderstandabadone,ortolaydownrulesforit:youmustletitgoitsownway.Ihavenodoubtofhishaving,attimes,considerableinfluence;butitmaybeperfectlyimpossibleforhimtoknowbeforehandwhenitwillbe.\'
Emmalistened,andthencoollysaid,`Ishallnotbesatisfied,unlesshecomes.\'
`Hemayhaveagreatdealofinfluenceonsomepoints,\'continuedMrs.Weston,`andonothers,verylittle:andamongthose,onwhichsheisbeyondhisreach,itisbuttoolikely,maybethisverycircumstanceofhiscomingawayfromthemtovisitus.\'
CHAPTERXV
Mr.Woodhousewassoonreadyforhistea;andwhenhehaddrankhisteahewasquitereadytogohome;anditwasasmuchashisthreecompanionscoulddo,toentertainawayhisnoticeofthelatenessofthehour,beforetheothergentlemenappeared.Mr.Westonwaschattyandconvivial,andnofriendtoearlyseparationsofanysort;butatlastthedrawing-roompartydidreceiveanaugmentation.Mr.Elton,inverygoodspirits,wasoneofthefirsttowalkin.Mrs.WestonandEmmaweresittingtogetheronasofa.Hejoinedthemimmediately,and,withscarcelyaninvitation,seatedhimselfbetweenthem.
Emma,ingoodspiritstoo,fromtheamusementaffordedhermindbytheexpectationofMr.FrankChurchill,waswillingtoforgethislateimproprieties,andbeaswellsatisfiedwithhimasbefore,andonhismakingHarriethisveryfirstsubject,wasreadytolistenwithmostfriendlysmiles.
Heprofessedhimselfextremelyanxiousaboutherfairfriend-herfair,lovely,amiablefriend.`Didsheknow?-hadsheheardanythingabouther,sincetheirbeingatRandalls?-hefeltmuchanxiety-hemustconfessthatthenatureofhercomplaintalarmedhimconsiderably.\'Andinthisstylehetalkedonforsometimeveryproperly,notmuchattendingtoanyanswer,butaltogethersufficientlyawaketotheterrorofabadsorethroat;andEmmawasquiteincharitywithhim.
Butatlastthereseemedaperverseturn;itseemedallatonceasifheweremoreafraidofitsbeingabadsorethroatonheraccount,thanonHarriet\'s-moreanxiousthatsheshouldescapetheinfection,thanthatthereshouldbenoinfectioninthecomplaint.Hebeganwithgreatearnestnesstoentreathertorefrainfromvisitingthesick-chamberagain,forthepresent-toentreathertopromisehimnottoventureintosuchhazardtillhehadseenMr.Perryandlearnthisopinion;andthoughshetriedtolaughitoffandbringthesubjectbackintoitspropercourse,therewasnoputtinganendtohisextremesolicitudeabouther.Shewasvexed.Itdidappear-therewasnoconcealingit-exactlylikethepretenceofbeinginlovewithher,insteadofHarriet;aninconstancy,ifreal,themostcontemptibleandabominable!andshehaddifficultyinbehavingwithtemper.HeturnedtoMrs.Westontoimploreherassistance,`Wouldnotshegivehimhersupport?-wouldnotsheaddherpersuasionstohis,toinduceMissWoodhousenottogotoMrs.Goddard\'stillitwerecertainthatMissSmith\'sdisorderhadnoinfection?Hecouldnotbesatisfiedwithoutapromise-wouldnotshegivehimherinfluenceinprocuringit?\'
`Soscrupulousforothers,\'hecontinued,`andyetsocarelessforherself!Shewantedmetonursemycoldbystayingathometo-day,andyetwillnotpromisetoavoidthedangerofcatchinganulceratedsorethroatherself.Isthisfair,Mrs.Weston?-Judgebetweenus.HavenotIsomerighttocomplain?Iamsureofyourkindsupportandaid.\'
EmmasawMrs.Weston\'ssurprize,andfeltthatitmustbegreat,atanaddresswhich,inwordsandmanner,wasassumingtohimselftherightoffirstinterestinher;andasforherself,shewastoomuchprovokedandoffendedtohavethepowerofdirectlysayinganythingtothepurpose.Shecouldonlygivehimalook;butitwassuchalookasshethoughtmustrestorehimtohissenses,andthenleftthesofa,removingtoaseatbyhersister,andgivingherallherattention.
ShehadnottimetoknowhowMr.Eltontookthereproof,sorapidlydidanothersubjectsucceed;forMr.JohnKnightleynowcameintotheroomfromexaminingtheweather,andopenedonthemallwiththeinformationofthegroundbeingcoveredwithsnow,andofitsstillsnowingfast,withastrongdriftingwind;concludingwiththesewordstoMr.Woodhouse:
`Thiswillproveaspiritedbeginningofyourwinterengagements,sir.Somethingnewforyourcoachmanandhorsestobemakingtheirwaythroughastormofsnow.\'
PoorMr.Woodhousewassilentfromconsternation;buteverybodyelsehadsomethingtosay;everybodywaseithersurprizedornotsurprized,andhadsomequestiontoask,orsomecomforttooffer.Mrs.WestonandEmmatriedearnestlytocheerhimandturnhisattentionfromhisson-in-law,whowaspursuinghistriumphratherunfeelingly.
`Iadmiredyourresolutionverymuch,sir,\'saidhe,`inventuringoutinsuchweather,forofcourseyousawtherewouldbesnowverysoon.Everybodymusthaveseenthesnowcomingon.Iadmiredyourspirit;andIdaresayweshallgethomeverywell.Anotherhourortwo\'ssnowcanhardlymaketheroadimpassable;andwearetwocarriages;ifoneisblownoverinthebleakpartofthecommonfieldtherewillbetheotherathand.IdaresayweshallbeallsafeatHartfieldbeforemidnight.\'
Mr.Weston,withtriumphofadifferentsort,wasconfessingthathehadknownittobesnowingsometime,buthadnotsaidaword,lestitshouldmakeMr.Woodhouseuncomfortable,andbeanexcuseforhishurryingaway.Astotherebeinganyquantityofsnowfallenorlikelytofalltoimpedetheirreturn,thatwasamerejoke;hewasafraidtheywouldfindnodifficulty.Hewishedtheroadmightbeimpassable,thathemightbeabletokeepthemallatRandalls;andwiththeutmostgood-willwassurethataccommodationmightbefoundforeverybody,callingonhiswifetoagreewithhim,thatwithalittlecontrivance,everybodymightbelodged,whichshehardlyknewhowtodo,fromtheconsciousnessoftherebeingbuttwospareroomsinthehouse.
`Whatistobedone,mydearEmma?-whatistobedone?\'wasMr.Woodhouse\'sfirstexclamation,andallthathecouldsayforsometime.Toherhelookedforcomfort;andherassurancesofsafety,herrepresentationoftheexcellenceofthehorses,andofJames,andoftheirhavingsomanyfriendsaboutthem,revivedhimalittle.
Hiseldestdaughter\'salarmwasequaltohisown.ThehorrorofbeingblockedupatRandalls,whileherchildrenwereatHartfield,wasfullinherimagination;andfancyingtheroadtobenowjustpassableforadventurouspeople,butinastatethatadmittednodelay,shewaseagertohaveitsettled,thatherfatherandEmmashouldremainatRandalls,whilesheandherhusbandsetforwardinstantlythroughallthepossibleaccumulationsofdriftedsnowthatmightimpedethem.
`Youhadbetterorderthecarriagedirectly,mylove,\'saidshe;`Idaresayweshallbeabletogetalong,ifwesetoffdirectly;andifwedocometoanythingverybad,Icangetoutandwalk.Iamnotatallafraid.Ishouldnotmindwalkinghalftheway.Icouldchangemyshoes,youknow,themomentIgothome;anditisnotthesortofthingthatgivesmecold.\'
`Indeed!\'repliedhe.`Then,mydearIsabella,itisthemostextraordinarysortofthingintheworld,foringeneraleverythingdoesgiveyoucold.Walkhome!-youareprettilyshodforwalkinghome,Idaresay.Itwillbebadenoughforthehorses.\'
IsabellaturnedtoMrs.Westonforherapprobationoftheplan.Mrs.Westoncouldonlyapprove.IsabellathenwenttoEmma;butEmmacouldnotsoentirelygiveupthehopeoftheirbeingallabletogetaway;andtheywerestilldiscussingthepoint,whenMr.Knightley,whohadlefttheroomimmediatelyafterhisbrother\'sfirstreportofthesnow,camebackagain,andtoldthemthathehadbeenoutofdoorstoexamine,andcouldanswerfortherenotbeingthesmallestdifficultyintheirgettinghome,whenevertheylikedit,eithernoworanhourhence.Hehadgonebeyondthesweep-somewayalongtheHighburyroad-thesnowwasnowhereabovehalfaninchdeep-inmanyplaceshardlyenoughtowhitentheground;averyfewflakeswerefallingatpresent,butthecloudswereparting,andtherewaseveryappearanceofitsbeingsoonover.Hehadseenthecoachmen,andtheybothagreedwithhimintherebeingnothingtoapprehend.
ToIsabella,thereliefofsuchtidingswasverygreat,andtheywerescarcelylessacceptabletoEmmaonherfather\'saccount,whowasimmediatelysetasmuchateaseonthesubjectashisnervousconstitutionallowed;butthealarmthathadbeenraisedcouldnotbeappeasedsoastoadmitofanycomfortforhimwhilehecontinuedatRandalls.Hewassatisfiedoftherebeingnopresentdangerinreturninghome,butnoassurancescouldconvincehimthatitwassafetostay;andwhiletheotherswerevariouslyurgingandrecommending,Mr.KnightleyandEmmasettleditinafewbriefsentences:thus-
`Yourfatherwillnotbeeasy;whydonotyougo?\'
`Iamready,iftheothersare.\'
`ShallIringthebell?\'
`Yes,do.\'
Andthebellwasrung,andthecarriagesspokenfor.Afewminutesmore,andEmmahopedtoseeonetroublesomecompaniondepositedinhisownhouse,togetsoberandcool,andtheotherrecoverhistemperandhappinesswhenthisvisitofhardshipwereover.
Thecarriagecame:andMr.Woodhouse,alwaysthefirstobjectonsuchoccasions,wascarefullyattendedtohisownbyMr.KnightleyandMr.Weston;butnotallthateithercouldsaycouldpreventsomerenewalofalarmatthesightofthesnowwhichhadactuallyfallen,andthediscoveryofamuchdarkernightthanhehadbeenpreparedfor.`Hewasafraidtheyshouldhaveaverybaddrive.HewasafraidpoorIsabellawouldnotlikeit.AndtherewouldbepoorEmmainthecarriagebehind.Hedidnotknowwhattheyhadbestdo.Theymustkeepasmuchtogetherastheycould;\'andJameswastalkedto,andgivenachargetogoveryslowandwaitfortheothercarriage.
Isabellasteptinafterherfather;JohnKnightley,forgettingthathedidnotbelongtotheirparty,steptinafterhiswifeverynaturally;sothatEmmafound,onbeingescortedandfollowedintothesecondcarriagebyMr.Elton,thatthedoorwastobelawfullyshutonthem,andthattheyweretohaveatete-a-tetedrive.Itwouldnothavebeentheawkwardnessofamoment,itwouldhavebeenratherapleasure,previoustothesuspicionsofthisveryday;shecouldhavetalkedtohimofHarriet,andthethree-quartersofamilewouldhaveseemedbutone.Butnow,shewouldratherithadnothappened.ShebelievedhehadbeendrinkingtoomuchofMr.Weston\'sgoodwine,andfeltsurethathewouldwanttobetalkingnonsense.
Torestrainhimasmuchasmightbe,byherownmanners,shewasimmediatelypreparingtospeakwithexquisitecalmnessandgravityoftheweatherandthenight;butscarcelyhadshebegun,scarcelyhadtheypassedthesweep-gateandjoinedtheothercarriage,thanshefoundhersubjectcutup-herhandseized-herattentiondemanded,andMr.Eltonactuallymakingviolentlovetoher:availinghimselfofthepreciousopportunity,declaringsentimentswhichmustbealreadywellknown,hoping-fearing-adoring-readytodieifsherefusedhim;butflatteringhimselfthathisardentattachmentandunequalledloveandunexampledpassioncouldnotfailofhavingsomeeffect,andinshort,verymuchresolvedonbeingseriouslyacceptedassoonaspossible.Itreallywasso.Withoutscruple-withoutapology-withoutmuchapparentdiffidence,Mr.Elton,theloverofHarriet,wasprofessinghimselfherlover.Shetriedtostophim;butvainly;hewouldgoon,andsayitall.Angryasshewas,thethoughtofthemomentmadeherresolvetorestrainherselfwhenshedidspeak.Shefeltthathalfthisfollymustbedrunkenness,andthereforecouldhopethatitmightbelongonlytothepassinghour.Accordingly,withamixtureoftheseriousandtheplayful,whichshehopedwouldbestsuithishalfandhalfstate,shereplied,
ome!youforgetyourself-youtakemeformyfriend-anymessagetoMissSmithIshallbehappytodeliver;butnomoreofthistome,ifyouplease.\'