Mr.FrankChurchilldidnotcome.Whenthetimeproposeddrewnear,Mrs.Weston\'sfearswerejustifiedinthearrivalofaletterofexcuse.Forthepresent,hecouldnotbespared,tohis`verygreatmortificationandregret;butst`MissSmith!-messagetoMissSmith!-Whatcouldshepossiblymean!\'-Andherepeatedherwordswithsuchassuranceofaccent,suchboastfulpretenceofamazement,thatshecouldnothelpreplyingwithquickness,
`Mr.Elton,thisisthemostextraordinaryconduct!andIcanaccountforitonlyinoneway;youarenotyourself,oryoucouldnotspeakeithertome,orofHarriet,insuchamanner.Commandyourselfenoughtosaynomore,andIwillendeavourtoforgetit.\'
ButMr.Eltonhadonlydrunkwineenoughtoelevatehisspirits,notatalltoconfusehisintellects.Heperfectlyknewhisownmeaning;andhavingwarmlyprotestedagainsthersuspicionasmostinjurious,andslightlytoucheduponhisrespectforMissSmithasherfriend,-butacknowledginghiswonderthatMissSmithshouldbementionedatall,-heresumedthesubjectofhisownpassion,andwasveryurgentforafavourableanswer.
Asshethoughtlessofhisinebriety,shethoughtmoreofhisinconstancyandpresumption;andwithfewerstrugglesforpoliteness,replied,
`Itisimpossibleformetodoubtanylonger.Youhavemadeyourselftooclear.Mr.Elton,myastonishmentismuchbeyondanythingIcanexpress.Aftersuchbehaviour,asIhavewitnessedduringthelastmonth,toMissSmith-suchattentionsasIhavebeeninthedailyhabitofobserving-tobeaddressingmeinthismanner-thisisanunsteadinessofcharacter,indeed,whichIhadnotsupposedpossible!Believeme,sir,Iamfar,veryfar,fromgratifiedinbeingtheobjectofsuchprofessions.\'
`GoodHeaven!\'criedMr.Elton,`whatcanbethemeaningofthis?-MissSmith!-IneverthoughtofMissSmithinthewholecourseofmyexistence-neverpaidheranyattentions,butasyourfriend:nevercaredwhethersheweredeadoralive,butasyourfriend.Ifshehasfanciedotherwise,herownwisheshavemisledher,andIamverysorry-extremelysorry-But,MissSmith,indeed!-Oh!MissWoodhouse!whocanthinkofMissSmith,whenMissWoodhouseisnear!No,uponmyhonour,thereisnounsteadinessofcharacter.Ihavethoughtonlyofyou.Iprotestagainsthavingpaidthesmallestattentiontoanyoneelse.EverythingthatIhavesaidordone,formanyweekspast,hasbeenwiththesoleviewofmarkingmyadorationofyourself.Youcannotreally,seriously,doubtit.No!-inanaccentmeanttobeinsinuating-Iamsureyouhaveseenandunderstoodme.\'
ItwouldbeimpossibletosaywhatEmmafelt,onhearingthis-whichofallherunpleasantsensationswasuppermost.Shewastoocompletelyoverpoweredtobeimmediatelyabletoreply:andtwomomentsofsilencebeingampleencouragementforMr.Elton\'ssanguinestateofmind,hetriedtotakeherhandagain,ashejoyouslyexclaimed-
`CharmingMissWoodhouse!allowmetointerpretthisinterestingsilence.Itconfessesthatyouhavelongunderstoodme.\'
`No,sir,\'criedEmma,`itconfessesnosuchthing.Sofarfromhavinglongunderstoodyou,Ihavebeeninamostcompleteerrorwithrespecttoyourviews,tillthismoment.Astomyself,Iamverysorrythatyoushouldhavebeengivingwaytoanyfeelings-Nothingcouldbefartherfrommywishes-yourattachmenttomyfriendHarriet-yourpursuitofher,pursuit,itappeared,gavemegreatpleasure,andIhavebeenveryearnestlywishingyousuccess:buthadIsupposedthatshewerenotyourattractiontoHartfield,Ishouldcertainlyhavethoughtyoujudgedillinmakingyourvisitssofrequent.AmItobelievethatyouhaveneversoughttorecommendyourselfparticularlytoMissSmith?-thatyouhaveneverthoughtseriouslyofher?\'
`Never,madam,\'criedhe,affrontedinhisturn:`never,Iassureyou.IthinkseriouslyofMissSmith!-MissSmithisaverygoodsortofgirl;andIshouldbehappytoseeherrespectablysettled.Iwishherextremelywell:and,nodoubt,therearemenwhomightnotobjectto-Everybodyhastheirlevel:butasformyself,Iamnot,Ithink,quitesomuchataloss.Ineednotsototallydespairofanequalalliance,astobeaddressingmyselftoMissSmith!-No,madam,myvisitstoHartfieldhavebeenforyourselfonly;andtheencouragementIreceived-\'
`Encouragement!-Igiveyouencouragement!-Sir,youhavebeenentirelymistakeninsupposingit.Ihaveseenyouonlyastheadmirerofmyfriend.Innootherlightcouldyouhavebeenmoretomethanacommonacquaintance.Iamexceedinglysorry:butitiswellthatthemistakeendswhereitdoes.Hadthesamebehaviourcontinued,MissSmithmighthavebeenledintoamisconceptionofyourviews;notbeingaware,probably,anymorethanmyself,oftheverygreatinequalitywhichyouaresosensibleof.But,asitis,thedisappointmentissingle,and,Itrust,willnotbelasting.Ihavenothoughtsofmatrimonyatpresent.\'
Hewastooangrytosayanotherword;hermannertoodecidedtoinvitesupplication;andinthisstateofswellingresentment,andmutuallydeepmortification,theyhadtocontinuetogetherafewminuteslonger,forthefearsofMr.Woodhousehadconfinedthemtoafoot-pace.Iftherehadnotbeensomuchanger,therewouldhavebeendesperateawkwardness;buttheirstraightforwardemotionsleftnoroomforthelittlezigzagsofembarrassment.WithoutknowingwhenthecarriageturnedintoVicarageLane,orwhenitstopped,theyfoundthemselves,allatonce,atthedoorofhishouse;andhewasoutbeforeanothersyllablepassed-Emmathenfeltitindispensabletowishhimagoodnight.Thecomplimentwasjustreturned,coldlyandproudly;and,underindescribableirritationofspirits,shewasthenconveyedtoHartfield.
Thereshewaswelcomed,withtheutmostdelight,byherfather,whohadbeentremblingforthedangersofasolitarydrivefromVicarageLane-turningacornerwhichhecouldneverbeartothinkof-andinstrangehands-amerecommoncoachman-noJames;andthereitseemedasifherreturnonlywerewantedtomakeeverythinggowell:forMr.JohnKnightley,ashamedofhisill-humour,wasnowallkindnessandattention;andsoparticularlysolicitousforthecomfortofherfather,astoseem-ifnotquitereadytojoinhiminabasinofgruel-perfectlysensibleofitsbeingexceedinglywholesome;andthedaywasconcludinginpeaceandcomforttoalltheirlittleparty,exceptherself-Buthermindhadneverbeeninsuchperturbation;anditneededaverystrongefforttoappearattentiveandcheerfultilltheusualhourofseparatingallowedherthereliefofquietreflection.
CHAPTERXVI
Thehairwascurled,andthemaidsentaway,andEmmasatdowntothinkandbemiserable-Itwasawretchedbusinessindeed!-Suchanoverthrowofeverythingshehadbeenwishingfor!-Suchadevelopmentofeverythingmostunwelcome!-SuchablowforHarriet!-thatwastheworstofall.Everypartofitbroughtpainandhumiliation,ofsomesortorother;but,comparedwiththeeviltoHarriet,allwaslight;andshewouldgladlyhavesubmittedtofeelyetmoremistaken-moreinerror-moredisgracedbymis-judgment,thansheactuallywas,couldtheeffectsofherblundershavebeenconfinedtoherself.
`IfIhadnotpersuadedHarrietintolikingtheman,Icouldhaveborneanything.Hemighthavedoubledhispresumptiontome-butpoorHarriet!\'
Howshecouldhavebeensodeceived!-HeprotestedthathehadneverthoughtseriouslyofHarriet-never!Shelookedbackaswellasshecould;butitwasallconfusion.Shehadtakenuptheidea,shesupposed,andmadeeverythingbendtoit.Hismanners,however,musthavebeenunmarked,wavering,dubious,orshecouldnothavebeensomisled.
Thepicture!-Howeagerhehadbeenaboutthepicture!-andthecharade!-andanhundredothercircumstances;-howclearlytheyhadseemedtopointatHarriet.Tobesure,thecharade,withits`readywit\'-butthenthe`softeyes\'-infactitsuitedneither;itwasajumblewithouttasteortruth.Whocouldhaveseenthroughsuchthick-headednonsense?
Certainlyshehadoften,especiallyoflate,thoughthismannerstoherselfunnecessarilygallant;butithadpassedashisway,asamereerrorofjudgment,ofknowledge,oftaste,asoneproofamongothersthathehadnotalwayslivedinthebestsociety,thatwithallthegentlenessofhisaddress,trueelegancewassometimeswanting;but,tillthisveryday,shehadnever,foraninstant,suspectedittomeananythingbutgratefulrespecttoherasHarriet\'sfriend.
ToMr.JohnKnightleywassheindebtedforherfirstideaonthesubject,forthefirststartofitspossibility.
Therewasnodenyingthatthosebrothershadpenetration.SherememberedwhatMr.KnightleyhadoncesaidtoheraboutMr.Elton,thecautionhehadgiven,theconvictionhehadprofessedthatMr.Eltonwouldnevermarryindiscreetly;andblushedtothinkhowmuchtrueraknowledgeofhischaracterhadbeenthereshewnthananyshehadreachedherself.Itwasdreadfullymortifying;butMr.Eltonwasprovinghimself,inmanyrespects,theveryreverseofwhatshehadmeantandbelievedhim;proud,assuming,conceited;veryfullofhisownclaims,andlittleconcernedaboutthefeelingsofothers.
Contrarytotheusualcourseofthings,Mr.Elton\'swantingtopayhisaddressestoherhadsunkhiminheropinion.Hisprofessionsandhisproposalsdidhimnoservice.Shethoughtnothingofhisattachment,andwasinsultedbyhishopes.Hewantedtomarrywell,andhavingthearrogancetoraisehiseyestoher,pretendedtobeinlove;butshewasperfectlyeasyastohisnotsufferinganydisappointmentthatneedbecaredfor.Therehadbeennorealaffectioneitherinhislanguageormanners.Sighsandfinewordshadbeengiveninabundance;butshecouldhardlydeviseanysetofexpressions,orfancyanytoneofvoice,lessalliedwithreallove.Sheneednottroubleherselftopityhim.Heonlywantedtoaggrandiseandenrichhimself;andifMissWoodhouseofHartfield,theheiressofthirtythousandpounds,werenotquitesoeasilyobtainedashehadfancied,hewouldsoontryforMissSomebodyelsewithtwenty,orwithten.
But-thatheshouldtalkofencouragement,shouldconsiderherasawareofhisviews,acceptinghisattentions,meaninginshort,tomarryhim!-shouldsupposehimselfherequalinconnexionormind!-lookdownuponherfriend,sowellunderstandingthegradationsofrankbelowhim,andbesoblindtowhatroseabove,astofancyhimselfshewingnopresumptioninaddressingher!-Itwasmostprovoking.
Perhapsitwasnotfairtoexpecthimtofeelhowverymuchhewasherinferiorintalent,andalltheeleganciesofmind.Theverywantofsuchequalitymightpreventhisperceptionofit;buthemustknowthatinfortuneandconsequenceshewasgreatlyhissuperior.HemustknowthattheWoodhouseshadbeensettledforseveralgenerationsatHartfield,theyoungerbranchofaveryancientfamily-andthattheEltonswerenobody.ThelandedpropertyofHartfieldcertainlywasinconsiderable,beingbutasortofnotchintheDonwellAbbeyestate,towhichalltherestofHighburybelonged;buttheirfortune,fromothersources,wassuchastomakethemscarcelysecondarytoDonwellAbbeyitself,ineveryotherkindofconsequence;andtheWoodhouseshadlongheldahighplaceintheconsiderationoftheneighbourhoodwhichMr.Eltonhadfirstenterednottwoyearsago,tomakehiswayashecould,withoutanyalliancesbutintrade,oranythingtorecommendhimtonoticebuthissituationandhiscivility.
Buthehadfanciedherinlovewithhim;thatevidentlymusthavebeenhisdependence;andafterravingalittleabouttheseemingincongruityofgentlemannersandaconceitedhead,Emmawasobligedincommonhonestytostopandadmitthatherownbehaviourtohimhadbeensocomplaisantandobliging,sofullofcourtesyandattention,assupposingherrealmotiveunperceivedmightwarrantamanofordinaryobservationanddelicacy,likeMr.Elton,infancyinghimselfaverydecidedfavourite.Ifshehadsomisinterpretedhisfeelings,shehadlittlerighttowonderthathe,withself-interesttoblindhim,shouldhavemistakenhers.
Thefirsterrorandtheworstlayatherdoor.Itwasfoolish,itwaswrong,totakesoactiveapartinbringinganytwopeopletogether.Itwasadventuringtoofar,assumingtoomuch,makinglightofwhatoughttobeserious,atrickofwhatoughttobesimple.Shewasquiteconcernedandashamed,andresolvedtodosuchthingsnomore.
`HerehaveI,\'saidshe,`actuallytalkedpoorHarrietintobeingverymuchattachedtothisman.Shemightneverhavethoughtofhimbutforme;andcertainlyneverwouldhavethoughtofhimwithhope,ifIhadnotassuredherofhisattachment,forsheisasmodestandhumbleasIusedtothinkhim.Oh!thatIhadbeensatisfiedwithpersuadinghernottoacceptyoungMartin.ThereIwasquiteright.Thatwaswelldoneofme;butthereIshouldhavestopped,andlefttheresttotimeandchance.Iwasintroducingherintogoodcompany,andgivinghertheopportunityofpleasingsomeoneworthhaving;Ioughtnottohaveattemptedmore.Butnow,poorgirl,herpeaceiscutupforsometime.Ihavebeenbuthalfafriendtoher;andifshewerenottofeelthisdisappointmentsoverymuch,IamsureIhavenotanideaofanybodyelsewhowouldbeatalldesirableforher;-WilliamCoxe-Oh!no,IcouldnotendureWilliamCoxe-apertyounglawyer.\'
Shestopttoblushandlaughatherownrelapse,andthenresumedamoreserious,moredispiritingcogitationuponwhathadbeen,andmightbe,andmustbe.ThedistressingexplanationshehadtomaketoHarriet,andallthatpoorHarrietwouldbesuffering,withtheawkwardnessoffuturemeetings,thedifficultiesofcontinuingordiscontinuingtheacquaintance,ofsubduingfeelings,concealingresentment,andavoidingeclat,wereenoughtooccupyherinmostunmirthfulreflectionssometimelonger,andshewenttobedatlastwithnothingsettledbuttheconvictionofherhavingblunderedmostdreadfully.
ToyouthandnaturalcheerfulnesslikeEmma\'s,thoughundertemporarygloomatnight,thereturnofdaywillhardlyfailtobringreturnofspirits.Theyouthandcheerfulnessofmorningareinhappyanalogy,andofpowerfuloperation;andifthedistressbenotpoignantenoughtokeeptheeyesunclosed,theywillbesuretoopentosensationsofsoftenedpainandbrighterhope.
Emmagotuponthemorrowmoredisposedforcomfortthanshehadgonetobed,morereadytoseealleviationsoftheevilbeforeher,andtodependongettingtolerablyoutofit.
ItwasagreatconsolationthatMr.Eltonshouldnotbereallyinlovewithher,orsoparticularlyamiableastomakeitshockingtodisappointhim-thatHarriet\'snatureshouldnotbeofthatsuperiorsortinwhichthefeelingsaremostacuteandretentive-andthattherecouldbenonecessityforanybody\'sknowingwhathadpassedexceptthethreeprincipals,andespeciallyforherfather\'sbeinggivenamoment\'suneasinessaboutit.
Thesewereverycheeringthoughts;andthesightofagreatdealofsnowonthegrounddidherfurtherservice,foranythingwaswelcomethatmightjustifytheirallthreebeingquiteasunderatpresent.
Theweatherwasmostfavourableforher;thoughChristmasDay,shecouldnotgotochurch.Mr.Woodhousewouldhavebeenmiserablehadhisdaughterattemptedit,andshewasthereforesafefromeitherexcitingorreceivingunpleasantandmostunsuitableideas.Thegroundcoveredwithsnow,andtheatmosphereinthatunsettledstatebetweenfrostandthaw,whichisofallothersthemostunfriendlyforexercise,everymorningbeginninginrainorsnow,andeveryeveningsettingintofreeze,shewasformanydaysamosthonourableprisoner.NointercoursewithHarrietpossiblebutbynote;nochurchforheronSundayanymorethanonChristmasDay;andnoneedtofindexcusesforMr.Elton\'sabsentinghimself.
Itwasweatherwhichmightfairlyconfineeverybodyathome;andthoughshehopedandbelievedhimtobereallytakingcomfortinsomesocietyorother,itwasverypleasanttohaveherfathersowellsatisfiedwithhisbeingallaloneinhisownhouse,toowisetostirout;andtohearhimsaytoMr.Knightley,whomnoweathercouldkeepentirelyfromthem,-
`Ah!Mr.Knightley,whydonotyoustayathomelikepoorMr.Elton?\'
Thesedaysofconfinementwouldhavebeen,butforherprivateperplexities,remarkablycomfortable,assuchseclusionexactlysuitedherbrother,whosefeelingsmustalwaysbeofgreatimportancetohiscompanions;andhehad,besides,sothoroughlyclearedoffhisill-humouratRandalls,thathisamiablenessneverfailedhimduringtherestofhisstayatHartfield.Hewasalwaysagreeableandobliging,andspeakingpleasantlyofeverybody.Butwithallthehopesofcheerfulness,andallthepresentcomfortofdelay,therewasstillsuchanevilhangingoverherinthehourofexplanationwithHarriet,asmadeitimpossibleforEmmatobeeverperfectlyatease.
CHAPTERXVII
Mr.andMrs.JohnKnightleywerenotdetainedlongatHartfield.Theweathersoonimprovedenoughforthosetomovewhomustmove;andMr.Woodhousehaving,asusual,triedtopersuadehisdaughtertostaybehindwithallherchildren,wasobligedtoseethewholepartysetoff,andreturntohislamentationsoverthedestinyofpoorIsabella;-whichpoorIsabella,passingherlifewiththoseshedoatedon,fulloftheirmerits,blindtotheirfaults,andalwaysinnocentlybusy,mighthavebeenamodelofrightfemininehappiness.
TheeveningoftheverydayonwhichtheywentbroughtanotefromMr.EltontoMr.Woodhouse,along,civil,ceremoniousnote,tosay,withMr.Elton\'sbestcompliments,`thathewasproposingtoleaveHighburythefollowingmorninginhiswaytoBath;where,incompliancewiththepressingentreatiesofsomefriends,hehadengagedtospendafewweeks,andverymuchregrettedtheimpossibilityhewasunder,fromvariouscircumstancesofweatherandbusiness,oftakingapersonalleaveofMr.Woodhouse,ofwhosefriendlycivilitiesheshouldeverretainagratefulsense-andhadMr.Woodhouseanycommands,shouldbehappytoattendtothem.\'
Emmawasmostagreeablysurprized-Mr.Elton\'sabsencejustatthistimewastheverythingtobedesired.Sheadmiredhimforcontrivingit,thoughnotabletogivehimmuchcreditforthemannerinwhichitwasannounced.Resentmentcouldnothavebeenmoreplainlyspokenthaninacivilitytoherfather,fromwhichshewassopointedlyexcluded.Shehadnotevenashareinhisopeningcompliments-Hernamewasnotmentioned;-andtherewassostrikingachangeinallthis,andsuchanill-judgedsolemnityofleave-takinginhisgracefulacknowledgments,asshethought,atfirst,couldnotescapeherfather\'ssuspicion.
Itdid,however-Herfatherwasquitetakenupwiththesurprizeofsosuddenajourney,andhisfearsthatMr.Eltonmightnevergetsafelytotheendofit,andsawnothingextraordinaryinhislanguage.Itwasaveryusefulnote,foritsuppliedthemwithfreshmatterforthoughtandconversationduringtherestoftheirlonelyevening.Mr.Woodhousetalkedoverhisalarms,andEmmawasinspiritstopersuadethemawaywithallherusualpromptitude.
ShenowresolvedtokeepHarrietnolongerinthedark.Shehadreasontobelievehernearlyrecoveredfromhercold,anditwasdesirablethatsheshouldhaveasmuchtimeaspossibleforgettingthebetterofherothercomplaintbeforethegentleman\'sreturn.ShewenttoMrs.Goddard\'saccordinglytheverynextday,toundergothenecessarypenanceofcommunication;andasevereoneitwas-Shehadtodestroyallthehopeswhichshehadbeensoindustriouslyfeeding-toappearintheungraciouscharacteroftheonepreferred-andacknowledgeherselfgrosslymistakenandmis-judginginallherideasononesubject,allherobservations,allherconvictions,allherpropheciesforthelastsixweeks.
Theconfessioncompletelyrenewedherfirstshame-andthesightofHarriet\'stearsmadeherthinkthatsheshouldneverbeincharitywithherselfagain.
Harrietboretheintelligenceverywell-blamingnobody-andineverythingtestifyingsuchaningenuousnessofdispositionandlowlyopinionofherself,asmustappearwithparticularadvantageatthatmomenttoherfriend.
Emmawasinthehumourtovaluesimplicityandmodestytotheutmost;andallthatwasamiable,allthatoughttobeattaching,seemedonHarriet\'sside,notherown.Harrietdidnotconsiderherselfashavinganythingtocomplainof.TheaffectionofsuchamanasMr.Eltonwouldhavebeentoogreatadistinction-Shenevercouldhavedeservedhim-andnobodybutsopartialandkindafriendasMissWoodhousewouldhavethoughtitpossible.
Hertearsfellabundantly-buthergriefwassotrulyartless,thatnodignitycouldhavemadeitmorerespectableinEmma\'seyes-andshelistenedtoherandtriedtoconsoleherwithallherheartandunderstanding-reallyforthetimeconvincedthatHarrietwasthesuperiorcreatureofthetwo-andthattoresembleherwouldbemoreforherownwelfareandhappinessthanallthatgeniusorintelligencecoulddo.
Itwasrathertoolateinthedaytosetaboutbeingsimple-mindedandignorant;butsheleftherwitheverypreviousresolutionconfirmedofbeinghumbleanddiscreet,andrepressingimaginationalltherestofherlife.Herseconddutynow,inferioronlytoherfather\'sclaims,wastopromoteHarriet\'scomfort,andendeavourtoproveherownaffectioninsomebettermethodthanbymatch-making.ShegothertoHartfield,andshewedherthemostunvaryingkindness,strivingtooccupyandamuseher,andbybooksandconversation,todriveMr.Eltonfromherthoughts.
Time,sheknew,mustbeallowedforthisbeingthoroughlydone;andshecouldsupposeherselfbutanindifferentjudgeofsuchmattersingeneral,andveryinadequatetosympathiseinanattachmenttoMr.Eltoninparticular;butitseemedtoherreasonablethatatHarriet\'sage,andwiththeentireextinctionofallhope,suchaprogressmightbemadetowardsastateofcomposurebythetimeofMr.Elton\'sreturn,astoallowthemalltomeetagaininthecommonroutineofacquaintance,withoutanydangerofbetrayingsentimentsorincreasingthem.
Harrietdidthinkhimallperfection,andmaintainedthenon-existenceofanybodyequaltohiminpersonorgoodness-anddid,intruth,proveherselfmoreresolutelyinlovethanEmmahadforeseen;butyetitappearedtohersonatural,soinevitabletostriveagainstaninclinationofthatsortunrequited,thatshecouldnotcomprehenditscontinuingverylonginequalforce.
IfMr.Elton,onhisreturn,madehisownindifferenceasevidentandindubitableasshecouldnotdoubthewouldanxiouslydo,shecouldnotimagineHarriet\'spersistingtoplaceherhappinessinthesightortherecollectionofhim.
Theirbeingfixed,soabsolutelyfixed,inthesameplace,wasbadforeach,forallthree.Notoneofthemhadthepowerofremoval,orofeffectinganymaterialchangeofsociety.Theymustencountereachother,andmakethebestofit.
HarrietwasfartherunfortunateinthetoneofhercompanionsatMrs.Goddard\'s;Mr.Eltonbeingtheadorationofalltheteachersandgreatgirlsintheschool;anditmustbeatHartfieldonlythatshecouldhaveanychanceofhearinghimspokenofwithcoolingmoderationorrepellenttruth.Wherethewoundhadbeengiven,theremustthecurebefoundifanywhere;andEmmafeltthat,tillshesawherinthewayofcure,therecouldbenotruepeaceforherself.
illhelookedforwardwiththehopeofcomingtoRandallsatnodistantperiod.\'
Mrs.Westonwasexceedinglydisappointed-muchmoredisappointed,infact,thanherhusband,thoughherdependenceonseeingtheyoungmanhadbeensomuchmoresober:butasanguinetemper,thoughforeverexpectingmoregoodthanoccurs,doesnotalwayspayforitshopesbyanyproportionatedepression.Itsoonfliesoverthepresentfailure,andbeginstohopeagain.ForhalfanhourMr.Westonwassurprizedandsorry;butthenhebegantoperceivethatFrank\'scomingtwoorthreemonthslaterwouldbeamuchbetterplan;bettertimeofyear;betterweather;andthathewouldbeable,withoutanydoubt,tostayconsiderablylongerwiththemthanifhehadcomesooner.
Thesefeelingsrapidlyrestoredhiscomfort,whileMrs.Weston,ofamoreapprehensivedisposition,foresawnothingbutarepetitionofexcusesanddelays;andafterallherconcernforwhatherhusbandwastosuffer,sufferedagreatdealmoreherself.
EmmawasnotatthistimeinastateofspiritstocarereallyaboutMr.FrankChurchill\'snotcoming,exceptasadisappointmentatRandalls.Theacquaintanceatpresenthadnocharmforher.Shewanted,rather,tobequiet,andoutoftemptation;butstill,asitwasdesirablethatsheshouldappear,ingeneral,likeherusualself,shetookcaretoexpressasmuchinterestinthecircumstance,andenteraswarmlyintoMr.andMrs.Weston\'sdisappointment,asmightnaturallybelongtotheirfriendship.
ShewasthefirsttoannounceittoMr.Knightley;andexclaimedquiteasmuchaswasnecessary,or,beingactingapart,perhapsrathermore,attheconductoftheChurchills,inkeepinghimaway.Shethenproceededtosayagooddealmorethanshefelt,oftheadvantageofsuchanadditiontotheirconfinedsocietyinSurry;thepleasureoflookingatsomebodynew;thegala-daytoHighburyentire,whichthesightofhimwouldhavemade;andendingwithreflectionsontheChurchillsagain,foundherselfdirectlyinvolvedinadisagreementwithMr.Knightley;and,tohergreatamusement,perceivedthatshewastakingtheothersideofthequestionfromherrealopinion,andmakinguseofMrs.Weston\'sargumentsagainstherself.
`TheChurchillsareverylikelyinfault,\'saidMr.Knightley,coolly;`butIdaresayhemightcomeifhewould.\'
`Idonotknowwhyyoushouldsayso.Hewishesexceedinglytocome;buthisuncleandauntwillnotsparehim.\'
`Icannotbelievethathehasnotthepowerofcoming,ifhemadeapointofit.Itistoounlikely,formetobelieveitwithoutproof.\'
`Howoddyouare!WhathasMr.FrankChurchilldone,tomakeyousupposehimsuchanunnaturalcreature?\'
`Iamnotsupposinghimatallanunnaturalcreature,insuspectingthathemayhavelearnttobeabovehisconnexions,andtocareverylittleforanythingbuthisownpleasure,fromlivingwiththosewhohavealwayssethimtheexampleofit.Itisagreatdealmorenaturalthanonecouldwish,thatayoungman,broughtupbythosewhoareproud,luxurious,andselfish,shouldbeproud,luxurious,andselfishtoo.IfFrankChurchillhadwantedtoseehisfather,hewouldhavecontriveditbetweenSeptemberandJanuary.Amanathisage-whatishe?-threeorfour-and-twenty-cannotbewithoutthemeansofdoingasmuchasthat.Itisimpossible.\'
`That\'seasilysaid,andeasilyfeltbyyou,whohavealwaysbeenyourownmaster.Youaretheworstjudgeintheworld,Mr.Knightley,ofthedifficultiesofdependence.Youdonotknowwhatitistohavetemperstomanage.\'
`Itisnottobeconceivedthatamanofthreeorfour-and-twentyshouldnothavelibertyofmindorlimbtothatamount.Hecannotwantmoney-hecannotwantleisure.Weknow,onthecontrary,thathehassomuchofboth,thatheisgladtogetridofthemattheidlesthauntsinthekingdom.Wehearofhimforeveratsomewatering-placeorother.Alittlewhileago,hewasatWeymouth.ThisprovesthathecanleavetheChurchills.\'
`Yes,sometimeshecan.\'
`Andthosetimesarewheneverhethinksitworthhiswhile;wheneverthereisanytemptationofpleasure.\'
`Itisveryunfairtojudgeofanybody\'sconduct,withoutanintimateknowledgeoftheirsituation.Nobody,whohasnotbeenintheinteriorofafamily,cansaywhatthedifficultiesofanyindividualofthatfamilymaybe.WeoughttobeacquaintedwithEnscombe,andwithMrs.Churchill\'stemper,beforewepretendtodecideuponwhathernephewcando.Hemay,attimes,beabletodoagreatdealmorethanhecanatothers.\'
`Thereisonething,Emma,whichamancanalwaysdo,ifhechuses,andthatis,hisduty;notbymanoeuvringandfinessing,butbyvigourandresolution.ItisFrankChurchill\'sdutytopaythisattentiontohisfather.Heknowsittobeso,byhispromisesandmessages;butifhewishedtodoit,itmightbedone.Amanwhofeltrightlywouldsayatonce,simplyandresolutely,toMrs.Churchill-``Everysacrificeofmerepleasureyouwillalwaysfindmereadytomaketoyourconvenience;butImustgoandseemyfatherimmediately.Iknowhewouldbehurtbymyfailinginsuchamarkofrespecttohimonthepresentoccasion.Ishall,therefore,setoffto-morrow.\'\'-Ifhewouldsaysotoheratonce,inthetoneofdecisionbecomingaman,therewouldbenooppositionmadetohisgoing.\'
`No,\'saidEmma,laughing;`butperhapstheremightbesomemadetohiscomingbackagain.Suchlanguageforayoungmanentirelydependent,touse!-Nobodybutyou,Mr.Knightley,wouldimagineitpossible.Butyouhavenotanideaofwhatisrequisiteinsituationsdirectlyoppositetoyourown.Mr.FrankChurchilltobemakingsuchaspeechasthattotheuncleandaunt,whohavebroughthimup,andaretoprovideforhim!-Standingupinthemiddleoftheroom,Isuppose,andspeakingasloudashecould!-Howcanyouimaginesuchconductpracticable?\'
`Dependuponit,Emma,asensiblemanwouldfindnodifficultyinit.Hewouldfeelhimselfintheright;andthedeclaration-made,ofcourse,asamanofsensewouldmakeit,inapropermanner-woulddohimmoregood,raisehimhigher,fixhisintereststrongerwiththepeoplehedependedon,thanallthatalineofshiftsandexpedientscaneverdo.Respectwouldbeaddedtoaffection.Theywouldfeelthattheycouldtrusthim;thatthenephewwhohaddonerightlybyhisfather,woulddorightlybythem;fortheyknow,aswellashedoes,aswellasalltheworldmustknow,thatheoughttopaythisvisittohisfather;andwhilemeanlyexertingtheirpowertodelayit,areintheirheartsnotthinkingthebetterofhimforsubmittingtotheirwhims.Respectforrightconductisfeltbyeverybody.Ifhewouldactinthissortofmanner,onprinciple,consistently,regularly,theirlittlemindswouldbendtohis.\'
`Iratherdoubtthat.Youareveryfondofbendinglittleminds;butwherelittlemindsbelongtorichpeopleinauthority,Ithinktheyhaveaknackofswellingout,tilltheyarequiteasunmanageableasgreatones.Icanimagine,thatifyou,asyouare,Mr.Knightley,weretobetransportedandplacedallatonceinMr.FrankChurchill\'ssituation,youwouldbeabletosayanddojustwhatyouhavebeenrecommendingforhim;anditmighthaveaverygoodeffect.TheChurchillsmightnothaveawordtosayinreturn;butthen,youwouldhavenohabitsofearlyobedienceandlongobservancetobreakthrough.Tohimwhohas,itmightnotbesoeasytoburstforthatonceintoperfectindependence,andsetalltheirclaimsonhisgratitudeandregardatnought.Hemayhaveasstrongasenseofwhatwouldberight,asyoucanhave,withoutbeingsoequal,underparticularcircumstances,toactuptoit.\'
`Thenitwouldnotbesostrongasense.Ifitfailedtoproduceequalexertion,itcouldnotbeanequalconviction.\'
`Oh,thedifferenceofsituationandhabit!Iwishyouwouldtrytounderstandwhatanamiableyoungmanmaybelikelytofeelindirectlyopposingthose,whomaschildandboyhehasbeenlookinguptoallhislife.\'
`Ouramiableyoungmanisaveryweakyoungman,ifthisbethefirstoccasionofhiscarryingthrougharesolutiontodorightagainstthewillofothers.Itoughttohavebeenahabitwithhimbythistime,offollowinghisduty,insteadofconsultingexpediency.Icanallowforthefearsofthechild,butnotoftheman.Ashebecamerational,heoughttohaverousedhimselfandshakenoffallthatwasunworthyintheirauthority.Heoughttohaveopposedthefirstattemptontheirsidetomakehimslighthisfather.Hadhebegunasheought,therewouldhavebeennodifficultynow.\'
`Weshallneveragreeabouthim,\'criedEmma;`butthatisnothingextraordinary.Ihavenottheleastideaofhisbeingaweakyoungman:Ifeelsurethatheisnot.Mr.Westonwouldnotbeblindtofolly,thoughinhisownson;butheisverylikelytohaveamoreyielding,complying,milddispositionthanwouldsuityournotionsofman\'sperfection.Idaresayhehas;andthoughitmaycuthimofffromsomeadvantages,itwillsecurehimmanyothers.\'
`Yes;alltheadvantagesofsittingstillwhenheoughttomove,andofleadingalifeofmereidlepleasure,andfancyinghimselfextremelyexpertinfindingexcusesforit.Hecansitdownandwriteafineflourishingletter,fullofprofessionsandfalsehoods,andpersuadehimselfthathehashitupontheverybestmethodintheworldofpreservingpeaceathomeandpreventinghisfather\'shavinganyrighttocomplain.Hislettersdisgustme.\'
`Yourfeelingsaresingular.Theyseemtosatisfyeverybodyelse.\'
`IsuspecttheydonotsatisfyMrs.Weston.Theyhardlycansatisfyawomanofhergoodsenseandquickfeelings:standinginamother\'splace,butwithoutamother\'saffectiontoblindher.ItisonheraccountthatattentiontoRandallsisdoublydue,andshemustdoublyfeeltheomission.Hadshebeenapersonofconsequenceherself,hewouldhavecomeIdaresay;anditwouldnothavesignifiedwhetherhedidorno.Canyouthinkyourfriendbehindhandinthesesortofconsiderations?Doyousupposeshedoesnotoftensayallthistoherself?No,Emma,youramiableyoungmancanbeamiableonlyinFrench,notinEnglish.Hemaybevery``aimable,\'\'haveverygoodmanners,andbeveryagreeable;buthecanhavenoEnglishdelicacytowardsthefeelingsofotherpeople:nothingreallyamiableabouthim.\'
`Youseemdeterminedtothinkillofhim.\'
`Me!-notatall,\'repliedMr.Knightley,ratherdispleased;`Idonotwanttothinkillofhim.Ishouldbeasreadytoacknowledgehismeritsasanyotherman;butIhearofnone,exceptwhataremerelypersonal;thatheiswell-grownandgood-looking,withsmooth,plausiblemanners.\'