`Well,ifhehavenothingelsetorecommendhim,hewillbeatreasureatHighbury.Wedonotoftenlookuponfineyoungmen,well-bredandagreeable.Wemustnotbeniceandaskforallthevirtuesintothebargain.Cannotyouimagine,Mr.Knightley,whatasensationhiscomingwillproduce?TherewillbebutonesubjectthroughouttheparishesofDonwellandHighbury;butoneinterest-oneobjectofcuriosity;itwillbeallMr.FrankChurchill;weshallthinkandspeakofnobodyelse.\'
`Youwillexcusemybeingsomuchover-powered.IfIfindhimconversable,Ishallbegladofhisacquaintance;butifheisonlyachatteringcoxcomb,hewillnotoccupymuchofmytimeorthoughts.\'
`Myideaofhimis,thathecanadapthisconversationtothetasteofeverybody,andhasthepoweraswellasthewishofbeinguniversallyagreeable.Toyou,hewilltalkoffarming;tome,ofdrawingormusic;andsoontoeverybody,havingthatgeneralinformationonallsubjectswhichwillenablehimtofollowthelead,ortakethelead,justasproprietymayrequire,andtospeakextremelywelloneach;thatismyideaofhim.\'
`Andmine,\'saidMr.Knightleywarmly,`is,thatifheturnoutanythinglikeit,hewillbethemostinsufferablefellowbreathing!What!atthree-and-twentytobethekingofhiscompany-thegreatman-thepractisedpolitician,whoistoreadeverybody\'scharacter,andmakeeverybody\'stalentsconducetothedisplayofhisownsuperiority;tobedispensinghisflatteriesaround,thathemaymakeallappearlikefoolscomparedwithhimself!MydearEmma,yourowngoodsensecouldnotenduresuchapuppywhenitcametothepoint.\'
`Iwillsaynomoreabouthim,\'criedEmma,`youturneverythingtoevil.Wearebothprejudiced;youagainst,Iforhim;andwehavenochanceofagreeingtillheisreallyhere.\'
`Prejudiced!Iamnotprejudiced.\'
`ButIamverymuch,andwithoutbeingatallashamedofit.MyloveforMr.andMrs.Westongivesmeadecidedprejudiceinhisfavour.\'
`HeisapersonIneverthinkoffromonemonth\'sendtoanother,\'saidMr.Knightley,withadegreeofvexation,whichmadeEmmaimmediatelytalkofsomethingelse,thoughshecouldnotcomprehendwhyheshouldbeangry.
Totakeadisliketoayoungman,onlybecauseheappearedtobeofadifferentdispositionfromhimself,wasunworthytherealliberalityofmindwhichshewasalwaysusedtoacknowledgeinhim;forwithallthehighopinionofhimself,whichshehadoftenlaidtohischarge,shehadneverbeforeforamomentsupposeditcouldmakehimunjusttothemeritofanother.
VOLUMEII
CHAPTERI
EmmaandHarriethadbeenwalkingtogetheronemorning,and,inEmma\'sopinion,hadbeentalkingenoughofMr.Eltonforthatday.ShecouldnotthinkthatHarriet\'ssolaceorherownsinsrequiredmore;andshewasthereforeindustriouslygettingridofthesubjectastheyreturned;-butitburstoutagainwhenshethoughtshehadsucceeded,andafterspeakingsometimeofwhatthepoormustsufferinwinter,andreceivingnootheranswerthanaveryplaintive-`Mr.Eltonissogoodtothepoor!\'shefoundsomethingelsemustbedone.
TheywerejustapproachingthehousewherelivedMrs.andMissBates.Shedeterminedtocalluponthemandseeksafetyinnumbers.Therewasalwayssufficientreasonforsuchanattention;Mrs.andMissBateslovedtobecalledon,andsheknewshewasconsideredbytheveryfewwhopresumedevertoseeimperfectioninher,asrathernegligentinthatrespect,andasnotcontributingwhatsheoughttothestockoftheirscantycomforts.
ShehadhadmanyahintfromMr.Knightleyandsomefromherownheart,astoherdeficiency-butnonewereequaltocounteractthepersuasionofitsbeingverydisagreeable,-awasteoftime-tiresomewomen-andallthehorrorofbeingindangeroffallinginwiththesecond-rateandthird-rateofHighbury,whowerecallingonthemforever,andthereforesheseldomwentnearthem.Butnowshemadethesuddenresolutionofnotpassingtheirdoorwithoutgoingin-observing,assheproposedittoHarriet,that,aswellasshecouldcalculate,theywerejustnowquitesafefromanyletterfromJaneFairfax.
Thehousebelongedtopeopleinbusiness.Mrs.andMissBatesoccupiedthedrawing-roomfloor;andthere,intheverymoderate-sizedapartment,whichwaseverythingtothem,thevisitorsweremostcordiallyandevengratefullywelcomed;thequietneatoldlady,whowithherknittingwasseatedinthewarmestcorner,wantingeventogiveupherplacetoMissWoodhouse,andhermoreactive,talkingdaughter,almostreadytooverpowerthemwithcareandkindness,thanksfortheirvisit,solicitudefortheirshoes,anxiousinquiriesafterMr.Woodhouse\'shealth,cheerfulcommunicationsabouthermother\'s,andsweet-cakefromthebeaufet-`Mrs.Colehadjustbeenthere,justcalledinfortenminutes,andhadbeensogoodastositanhourwiththem,andshehadtakenapieceofcakeandbeensokindastosayshelikeditverymuch;and,therefore,shehopedMissWoodhouseandMissSmithwoulddothemthefavourtoeatapiecetoo.\'
ThementionoftheColeswassuretobefollowedbythatofMr.Elton.Therewasintimacybetweenthem,andMr.ColehadheardfromMr.Eltonsincehisgoingaway.Emmaknewwhatwascoming;theymusthavetheletteroveragain,andsettlehowlonghehadbeengone,andhowmuchhewasengagedincompany,andwhatafavouritehewaswhereverhewent,andhowfulltheMasteroftheCeremonies\'ballhadbeen;andshewentthroughitverywell,withalltheinterestandallthecommendationthatcouldberequisite,andalwaysputtingforwardtopreventHarriet\'sbeingobligedtosayaword.
Thisshehadbeenpreparedforwhensheenteredthehouse;butmeant,havingoncetalkedhimhandsomelyover,tobenofartherincommodedbyanytroublesometopic,andtowanderatlargeamongstalltheMistressesandMissesofHighbury,andtheircard-parties.ShehadnotbeenpreparedtohaveJaneFairfaxsucceedMr.Elton;buthewasactuallyhurriedoffbyMissBates,shejumpedawayfromhimatlastabruptlytotheColes,tousherinaletterfromherniece.
`Oh!yes-Mr.Elton,Iunderstand-certainlyastodancing-Mrs.ColewastellingmethatdancingattheroomsatBathwas-Mrs.Colewassokindastositsometimewithus,talkingofJane;forassoonasshecamein,shebeganinquiringafterher,Janeissoverygreatafavouritethere.Wheneversheiswithus,Mrs.Coledoesnotknowhowtoshewherkindnessenough;andImustsaythatJanedeservesitasmuchasanybodycan.Andsoshebeganinquiringafterherdirectly,saying,``IknowyoucannothaveheardfromJanelately,becauseitisnothertimeforwriting;\'\'andwhenIimmediatelysaid,``Butindeedwehave,wehadaletterthisverymorning,\'\'IdonotknowthatIeversawanybodymoresurprized.``Haveyou,uponyourhonour?\'\'saidshe;``well,thatisquiteunexpected.Doletmehearwhatshesays.\'\'\'
Emma\'spolitenesswasathanddirectly,tosay,withsmilinginterest-
`HaveyouheardfromMissFairfaxsolately?Iamextremelyhappy.Ihopesheiswell?\'
`Thankyou.Youaresokind!\'repliedthehappilydeceivedaunt,whileeagerlyhuntingfortheletter-`Oh!hereitis.Iwassureitcouldnotbefaroff;butIhadputmyhuswifeuponit,yousee,withoutbeingaware,andsoitwasquitehid,butIhaditinmyhandsoverylatelythatIwasalmostsureitmustbeonthetable.IwasreadingittoMrs.Cole,andsinceshewentaway,Iwasreadingitagaintomymother,foritissuchapleasuretoher-aletterfromJane-thatshecanneverhearitoftenenough;soIknewitcouldnotbefaroff,andhereitis,onlyjustundermyhuswife-andsinceyouaresokindastowishtohearwhatshesays;-but,firstofall,Ireallymust,injusticetoJane,apologiseforherwritingsoshortaletter-onlytwopagesyousee-hardlytwo-andingeneralshefillsthewholepaperandcrosseshalf.MymotheroftenwondersthatIcanmakeitoutsowell.
Sheoftensays,whentheletterisfirstopened,``Well,Hetty,nowIthinkyouwillbeputtoittomakeoutallthatchecker-work\'\'-don\'tyou,ma\'am?-AndthenItellher,Iamsureshewouldcontrivetomakeitoutherself,ifshehadnobodytodoitforher-everywordofit-Iamsureshewouldporeoverittillshehadmadeouteveryword.And,indeed,thoughmymother\'seyesarenotsogoodastheywere,shecanseeamazinglywellstill,thankGod!withthehelpofspectacles.Itissuchablessing!Mymother\'sarereallyverygoodindeed.Janeoftensays,whensheishere,``Iamsure,grandmama,youmusthavehadverystrongeyestoseeasyoudo-andsomuchfineworkasyouhavedonetoo!-Ionlywishmyeyesmaylastmeaswell.\'\'\'
AllthisspokenextremelyfastobligedMissBatestostopforbreath;andEmmasaidsomethingverycivilabouttheexcellenceofMissFairfax\'shandwriting.
`Youareextremelykind,\'repliedMissBates,highlygratified;`youwhoaresuchajudge,andwritesobeautifullyyourself.Iamsurethereisnobody\'spraisethatcouldgiveussomuchpleasureasMissWoodhouse\'s.Mymotherdoesnothear;sheisalittledeafyouknow.Ma\'am,\'addressingher,`doyouhearwhatMissWoodhouseissoobligingtosayaboutJane\'shandwriting?\'
AndEmmahadtheadvantageofhearingherownsillycomplimentrepeatedtwiceoverbeforethegoodoldladycouldcomprehendit.Shewaspondering,inthemeanwhile,uponthepossibility,withoutseemingveryrude,ofmakingherescapefromJaneFairfax\'sletter,andhadalmostresolvedonhurryingawaydirectlyundersomeslightexcuse,whenMissBatesturnedtoheragainandseizedherattention.
`Mymother\'sdeafnessisverytriflingyousee-justnothingatall.Byonlyraisingmyvoice,andsayinganythingtwoorthreetimesover,sheissuretohear;butthensheisusedtomyvoice.ButitisveryremarkablethatsheshouldalwayshearJanebetterthanshedoesme.Janespeakssodistinct!However,shewillnotfindhergrandmamaatalldeaferthanshewastwoyearsago;whichissayingagreatdealatmymother\'stimeoflife-anditreallyisfulltwoyears,youknow,sinceshewashere.Weneverweresolongwithoutseeingherbefore,andasIwastellingMrs.Cole,weshallhardlyknowhowtomakeenoughofhernow.\'
`AreyouexpectingMissFairfaxheresoon?\'
`Ohyes;nextweek.\'
`Indeed!-thatmustbeaverygreatpleasure.\'
`Thankyou.Youareverykind.Yes,nextweek.Everybodyissosurprized;andeverybodysaysthesameobligingthings.IamsureshewillbeashappytoseeherfriendsatHighbury,astheycanbetoseeher.Yes,FridayorSaturday;shecannotsaywhich,becauseColonelCampbellwillbewantingthecarriagehimselfoneofthosedays.Soverygoodofthemtosendherthewholeway!Buttheyalwaysdo,youknow.Ohyes,FridayorSaturdaynext.Thatiswhatshewritesabout.Thatisthereasonofherwritingoutofrule,aswecallit;for,inthecommoncourse,weshouldnothaveheardfromherbeforenextTuesdayorWednesday.\'
`Yes,soIimagined.IwasafraidtherecouldbelittlechanceofmyhearinganythingofMissFairfaxto-day.\'
`Soobligingofyou!No,weshouldnothaveheard,ifithadnotbeenforthisparticularcircumstance,ofherbeingtocomeheresosoon.Mymotherissodelighted!-forsheistobethreemonthswithusatleast.Threemonths,shesaysso,positively,asIamgoingtohavethepleasureofreadingtoyou.Thecaseis,yousee,thattheCampbellsaregoingtoIreland.Mrs.Dixonhaspersuadedherfatherandmothertocomeoverandseeherdirectly.Theyhadnotintendedtogoovertillthesummer,butsheissoimpatienttoseethemagain-fortillshemarried,lastOctober,shewasneverawayfromthemsomuchasaweek,whichmustmakeitverystrangetobeindifferentkingdoms,Iwasgoingtosay,buthoweverdifferentcountries,andsoshewroteaveryurgentlettertohermother-orherfather,IdeclareIdonotknowwhichitwas,butweshallseepresentlyinJane\'sletter-wroteinMr.Dixon\'snameaswellasherown,topresstheircomingoverdirectly,andtheywouldgivethemthemeetinginDublin,andtakethembacktotheircountryseat,Baly-craig,abeautifulplace,Ifancy.
Janehasheardagreatdealofitsbeauty;fromMr.Dixon,Imean-Idonotknowthatsheeverheardaboutitfromanybodyelse;butitwasverynatural,youknow,thatheshouldliketospeakofhisownplacewhilehewaspayinghisaddresses-andasJaneusedtobeveryoftenwalkingoutwiththem-forColonelandMrs.Campbellwereveryparticularabouttheirdaughter\'snotwalkingoutoftenwithonlyMr.Dixon,forwhichIdonotatallblamethem;ofcoursesheheardeverythinghemightbetellingMissCampbellabouthisownhomeinIreland;andIthinkshewroteuswordthathehadshewnthemsomedrawingsoftheplace,viewsthathehadtakenhimself.Heisamostamiable,charmingyoungman,Ibelieve.JanewasquitelongingtogotoIreland,fromhisaccountofthings.\'
Atthismoment,aningeniousandanimatingsuspicionenteringEmma\'sbrainwithregardtoJaneFairfax,thischarmingMr.Dixon,andthenotgoingtoIreland,shesaid,withtheinsidiousdesignoffartherdiscovery,
`YoumustfeelitveryfortunatethatMissFairfaxshouldbeallowedtocometoyouatsuchatime.ConsideringtheveryparticularfriendshipbetweenherandMrs.Dixon,youcouldhardlyhaveexpectedhertobeexcusedfromaccompanyingColonelandMrs.Campbell.\'
`Verytrue,verytrue,indeed.Theverythingthatwehavealwaysbeenratherafraidof;forweshouldnothavelikedtohaveheratsuchadistancefromus,formonthstogether-notabletocomeifanythingwastohappen.Butyousee,everythingturnsoutforthebest.TheywantherMr.andMrs.DixonexcessivelytocomeoverwithColonelandMrs.Campbell;quitedependuponit;nothingcanbemorekindorpressingthantheirjointinvitation,Janesays,asyouwillhearpresently;Mr.Dixondoesnotseemintheleastbackwardinanyattention.Heisamostcharmingyoungman.EversincetheserviceherenderedJaneatWeymouth,whentheywereoutinthatpartyonthewater,andshe,bythesuddenwhirlingroundofsomethingorotheramongthesails,wouldhavebeendashedintotheseaatonce,andactuallywasallbutgone,ifhehadnot,withthegreatestpresenceofmind,caughtholdofherhabit-Icanneverthinkofitwithouttrembling!-Buteversincewehadthehistoryofthatday,IhavebeensofondofMr.Dixon!\'
`But,inspiteofallherfriends\'urgency,andherownwishofseeingIreland,MissFairfaxprefersdevotingthetimetoyouandMrs.Bates?\'
`Yes-entirelyherowndoing,entirelyherownchoice;andColonelandMrs.Campbellthinkshedoesquiteright,justwhattheyshouldrecommend;andindeedtheyparticularlywishhertotryhernativeair,asshehasnotbeenquitesowellasusuallately.\'
`Iamconcernedtohearofit.Ithinktheyjudgewisely.ButMrs.Dixonmustbeverymuchdisappointed.Mrs.Dixon,Iunderstand,hasnoremarkabledegreeofpersonalbeauty;isnot,byanymeans,tobecomparedwithMissFairfax.\'
`Oh!no.Youareveryobligingtosaysuchthings-butcertainlynot.Thereisnocomparisonbetweenthem.MissCampbellalwayswasabsolutelyplain-butextremelyelegantandamiable.\'
`Yes,thatofcourse.\'
`Janecaughtabadcold,poorthing!solongagoasthe7thofNovember,asIamgoingtoreadtoyou,andhasneverbeenwellsince.Alongtime,isnotit,foracoldtohanguponher?Shenevermentioneditbefore,becauseshewouldnotalarmus.Justlikeher!soconsiderate!-Buthowever,sheissofarfromwell,thatherkindfriendstheCampbellsthinkshehadbettercomehome,andtryanairthatalwaysagreeswithher;andtheyhavenodoubtthatthreeorfourmonthsatHighburywillentirelycureher-anditiscertainlyagreatdealbetterthatsheshouldcomehere,thangotoIreland,ifsheisunwell.Nobodycouldnurseher,asweshoulddo.\'
`Itappearstomethemostdesirablearrangementintheworld.\'
`AndsosheistocometousnextFridayorSaturday,andtheCampbellsleavetownintheirwaytoHolyheadtheMondayfollowing-asyouwillfindfromJane\'sletter.Sosudden!-Youmayguess,dearMissWoodhouse,whataflurryithasthrownmein!Ifitwasnotforthedrawbackofherillness-butIamafraidwemustexpecttoseehergrownthin,andlookingverypoorly.Imusttellyouwhatanunluckythinghappenedtome,astothat.IalwaysmakeapointofreadingJane\'slettersthroughtomyselffirst,beforeIreadthemaloudtomymother,youknow,forfearoftherebeinganythinginthemtodistressher.Janedesiredmetodoit,soIalwaysdo:andsoIbeganto-daywithmyusualcaution;butnosoonerdidIcometothementionofherbeingunwell,thanIburstout,quitefrightened,with``Blessme!poorJaneisill!\'\'-whichmymother,beingonthewatch,hearddistinctly,andwassadlyalarmedat.However,whenIreadon,IfounditwasnotnearsobadasIhadfanciedatfirst;andImakesolightofitnowtoher,thatshedoesnotthinkmuchaboutit.ButIcannotimaginehowIcouldbesooffmyguard.IfJanedoesnotgetwellsoon,wewillcallinMr.Perry.Theexpenseshallnotbethoughtof;andthoughheissoliberal,andsofondofJanethatIdaresayhewouldnotmeantochargeanythingforattendance,wecouldnotsufferittobeso,youknow.Hehasawifeandfamilytomaintain,andisnottobegivingawayhistime.Well,nowIhavejustgivenyouahintofwhatJanewritesabout,wewillturntoherletter,andIamsureshetellsherownstoryagreatdealbetterthanIcantellitforher.\'
`Iamafraidwemustberunningaway,\'saidEmma,glancingatHarriet,andbeginningtorise-`Myfatherwillbeexpectingus.Ihadnointention,IthoughtIhadnopowerofstayingmorethanfiveminutes,whenIfirstenteredthehouse.Imerelycalled,becauseIwouldnotpassthedoorwithoutinquiringafterMrs.Bates;butIhavebeensopleasantlydetained!Now,however,wemustwishyouandMrs.Batesgoodmorning.\'
Andnotallthatcouldbeurgedtodetainhersucceeded.Sheregainedthestreet-happyinthis,thatthoughmuchhadbeenforcedonheragainstherwill,thoughshehadinfactheardthewholesubstanceofJaneFairfax\'sletter,shehadbeenabletoescapetheletteritself.
FINIS
CHAPTERII
JaneFairfaxwasanorphan,theonlychildofMrs.Bates\'syoungestdaughter.
ThemarriageofLieut.Fairfaxofthe_______regimentofinfantry,andMissJaneBates,hadhaditsdayoffameandpleasure,hopeandinterest;butnothingnowremainedofit,savethemelancholyremembranceofhimdyinginactionabroad-ofhiswidowsinkingunderconsumptionandgriefsoonafterwards-andthisgirl.
BybirthshebelongedtoHighbury:andwhenatthreeyearsold,onlosinghermother,shebecametheproperty,thecharge,theconsolation,thefondlingofhergrandmotherandaunt,therehadseemedeveryprobabilityofherbeingpermanentlyfixedthere;ofherbeingtaughtonlywhatverylimitedmeanscouldcommand,andgrowingupwithnoadvantagesofconnexionorimprovement,tobeengraftedonwhatnaturehadgivenherinapleasingperson,goodunderstanding,andwarm-hearted,well-meaningrelations.
Butthecompassionatefeelingsofafriendofherfathergaveachangetoherdestiny.ThiswasColonelCampbell,whohadveryhighlyregardedFairfax,asanexcellentofficerandmostdeservingyoungman;andfarther,hadbeenindebtedtohimforsuchattentions,duringaseverecamp-fever,ashebelievedhadsavedhislife.Thesewereclaimswhichhedidnotlearntooverlook,thoughsomeyearspassedawayfromthedeathofpoorFairfax,beforehisownreturntoEnglandputanythinginhispower.Whenhedidreturn,hesoughtoutthechildandtooknoticeofher.Hewasamarriedman,withonlyonelivingchild,agirl,aboutJane\'sage:andJanebecametheirguest,payingthemlongvisitsandgrowingafavouritewithall;andbeforeshewasnineyearsold,hisdaughter\'sgreatfondnessforher,andhisownwishofbeingarealfriend,unitedtoproduceanofferfromColonelCampbellofundertakingthewholechargeofhereducation.Itwasaccepted;andfromthatperiodJanehadbelongedtoColonelCampbell\'sfamily,andhadlivedwiththementirely,onlyvisitinghergrandmotherfromtimetotime.
Theplanwasthatsheshouldbebroughtupforeducatingothers;theveryfewhundredpoundswhichsheinheritedfromherfathermakingindependenceimpossible.ToprovideforherotherwisewasoutofColonelCampbell\'spower;forthoughhisincome,bypayandappointments,washandsome,hisfortunewasmoderateandmustbeallhisdaughter\'s;but,bygivingheraneducation,hehopedtobesupplyingthemeansofrespectablesubsistencehereafter.
SuchwasJaneFairfax\'shistory.Shehadfallenintogoodhands,knownnothingbutkindnessfromtheCampbells,andbeengivenanexcellenteducation.Livingconstantlywithright-mindedandwell-informedpeople,herheartandunderstandinghadreceivedeveryadvantageofdisciplineandculture;andColonelCampbell\'sresidencebeinginLondon,everylightertalenthadbeendonefulljusticeto,bytheattendanceoffirst-ratemasters.Herdispositionandabilitieswereequallyworthyofallthatfriendshipcoulddo;andateighteenornineteenshewas,asfarassuchanearlyagecanbequalifiedforthecareofchildren,fullycompetenttotheofficeofinstructionherself;butshewastoomuchbelovedtobepartedwith.Neitherfathernormothercouldpromote,andthedaughtercouldnotendureit.Theevildaywasputoff.Itwaseasytodecidethatshewasstilltooyoung;andJaneremainedwiththem,sharing,asanotherdaughter,inalltherationalpleasuresofanelegantsociety,andajudiciousmixtureofhomeandamusement,withonlythedrawbackofthefuture,thesoberingsuggestionsofherowngoodunderstandingtoremindherthatallthismightsoonbeover.
Theaffectionofthewholefamily,thewarmattachmentofMissCampbellinparticular,wasthemorehonourabletoeachpartyfromthecircumstanceofJane\'sdecidedsuperioritybothinbeautyandacquirements.Thatnaturehadgivenitinfeaturecouldnotbeunseenbytheyoungwoman,norcouldherhigherpowersofmindbeunfeltbytheparents.Theycontinuedtogetherwithunabatedregardhowever,tillthemarriageofMissCampbell,whobythatchance,thatluckwhichsooftendefiesanticipationinmatrimonialaffairs,givingattractiontowhatismoderateratherthantowhatissuperior,engagedtheaffectionsofMr.Dixon,ayoungman,richandagreeable,almostassoonastheywereacquainted;andwaseligiblyandhappilysettled,whileJaneFairfaxhadyetherbreadtoearn.
Thiseventhadverylatelytakenplace;toolatelyforanythingtobeyetattemptedbyherlessfortunatefriendtowardsenteringonherpathofduty;thoughshehadnowreachedtheagewhichherownjudgmenthadfixedonforbeginning.Shehadlongresolvedthatone-and-twentyshouldbetheperiod.Withthefortitudeofadevotednovitiate,shehadresolvedatone-and-twentytocompletethesacrifice,andretirefromallthepleasuresoflife,ofrationalintercourse,equalsociety,peaceandhope,topenanceandmortificationforever.
ThegoodsenseofColonelandMrs.Campbellcouldnotopposesucharesolution,thoughtheirfeelingsdid.Aslongastheylived,noexertionswouldbenecessary,theirhomemightbehersforever;andfortheirowncomforttheywouldhaveretainedherwholly;butthiswouldbeselfishness:-whatmustbeatlast,hadbetterbesoon.Perhapstheybegantofeelitmighthavebeenkinderandwisertohaveresistedthetemptationofanydelay,andsparedherfromatasteofsuchenjoymentsofeaseandleisureasmustnowberelinquished.Still,however,affectionwasgladtocatchatanyreasonableexcusefornothurryingonthewretchedmoment.Shehadneverbeenquitewellsincethetimeoftheirdaughter\'smarriage;andtillsheshouldhavecompletelyrecoveredherusualstrength,theymustforbidherengaginginduties,which,sofarfrombeingcompatiblewithaweakenedframeandvaryingspirits,seemed,underthemostfavourablecircumstances,torequiresomethingmorethanhumanperfectionofbodyandmindtobedischargedwithtolerablecomfort.
WithregardtohernotaccompanyingthemtoIreland,heraccounttoherauntcontainednothingbuttruth,thoughtheremightbesometruthsnottold.ItwasherownchoicetogivethetimeoftheirabsencetoHighbury;tospend,perhaps,herlastmonthsofperfectlibertywiththosekindrelationstowhomshewassoverydear:andtheCampbells,whatevermightbetheirmotiveormotives,whethersingle,ordouble,ortreble,gavethearrangementtheirreadysanction,andsaid,thattheydependedmoreonafewmonthsspentinhernativeair,fortherecoveryofherhealth,thanonanythingelse.Certainitwasthatshewastocome;andthatHighbury,insteadofwelcomingthatperfectnoveltywhichhadbeensolongpromisedit-Mr.FrankChurchill-mustputupforthepresentwithJaneFairfax,whocouldbringonlythefreshnessofatwoyears\'absence.
Emmawassorry;-tohavetopaycivilitiestoapersonshedidnotlikethroughthreelongmonths!-tobealwaysdoingmorethanshewished,andlessthansheought!WhyshedidnotlikeJaneFairfaxmightbeadifficultquestiontoanswer;Mr.Knightleyhadoncetoldheritwasbecauseshesawinherthereallyaccomplishedyoungwoman,whichshewantedtobethoughtherself;andthoughtheaccusationhadbeeneagerlyrefutedatthetime,thereweremomentsofself-examinationinwhichherconsciencecouldnotquiteacquither.But`shecouldnevergetacquaintedwithher:shedidnotknowhowitwas,buttherewassuchcoldnessandreserve-suchapparentindifferencewhethershepleasedornot-andthen,herauntwassuchaneternaltalker!-andshewasmadesuchafusswithbyeverybody!-andithadbeenalwaysimaginedthattheyweretobesointimate-becausetheirageswerethesame,everybodyhadsupposedtheymustbesofondofeachother.\'Thesewereherreasons-shehadnobetter.
Itwasadislikesolittlejust-everyimputedfaultwassomagnifiedbyfancy,thatsheneversawJaneFairfaxthefirsttimeafteranyconsiderableabsence,withoutfeelingthatshehadinjuredher;andnow,whentheduevisitwaspaid,onherarrival,afteratwoyears\'interval,shewasparticularlystruckwiththeveryappearanceandmanners,whichforthosetwowholeyearsshehadbeendepreciating.JaneFairfaxwasveryelegant,remarkablyelegant;andshehadherselfthehighestvalueforelegance.Herheightwaspretty,justsuchasalmosteverybodywouldthinktall,andnobodycouldthinkverytall;herfigureparticularlygraceful;hersizeamostbecomingmedium,betweenfatandthin,thoughaslightappearanceofill-healthseemedtopointoutthelikeliestevilofthetwo.Emmacouldnotbutfeelallthis;andthen,herface-herfeatures-therewasmorebeautyinthemaltogetherthanshehadremembered;itwasnotregular,butitwasverypleasingbeauty.Hereyes,adeepgrey,withdarkeye-lashesandeyebrows,hadneverbeendeniedtheirpraise;buttheskin,whichshehadbeenusedtocavilat,aswantingcolour,hadaclearnessanddelicacywhichreallyneedednofullerbloom.Itwasastyleofbeauty,ofwhichelegancewasthereigningcharacter,andassuch,shemust,inhonour,byallherprinciples,admireit:-elegance,which,whetherofpersonorofmind,shesawsolittleinHighbury.There,nottobevulgar,wasdistinction,andmerit.
Inshort,shesat,duringthefirstvisit,lookingatJaneFairfaxwithtwofoldcomplacency;thesenseofpleasureandthesenseofrenderingjustice,andwasdeterminingthatshewoulddislikehernolonger.Whenshetookinherhistory,indeed,hersituation,aswellasherbeauty;whensheconsideredwhatallthiselegancewasdestinedto,whatshewasgoingtosinkfrom,howshewasgoingtolive,itseemedimpossibletofeelanythingbutcompassionandrespect;especially,iftoeverywell-knownparticularentitlinghertointerest,wereaddedthehighlyprobablecircumstanceofanattachmenttoMr.Dixon,whichshehadsonaturallystartedtoherself.Inthatcase,nothingcouldbemorepitiableormorehonourablethanthesacrificesshehadresolvedon.EmmawasverywillingnowtoacquitherofhavingseducedMr.Dixon\'sactionsfromhiswife,orofanythingmischievouswhichherimaginationhadsuggestedatfirst.Ifitwerelove,itmightbesimple,single,successlessloveonhersidealone.Shemighthavebeenunconsciouslysuckinginthesadpoison,whileasharerofhisconversationwithherfriend;andfromthebest,thepurestofmotives,mightnowbedenyingherselfthisvisittoIreland,andresolvingtodivideherselfeffectuallyfromhimandhisconnexionsbysoonbeginninghercareeroflaboriousduty.
Uponthewhole,Emmaleftherwithsuchsoftened,charitablefeelings,asmadeherlookaroundinwalkinghome,andlamentthatHighburyaffordednoyoungmanworthyofgivingherindependence;nobodythatshecouldwishtoschemeaboutforher.
Thesewerecharmingfeelings-butnotlasting.BeforeshehadcommittedherselfbyanypublicprofessionofeternalfriendshipforJaneFairfax,ordonemoretowardsarecantationofpastprejudicesanderrors,thansayingtoMr.Knightley,`Shecertainlyishandsome;sheisbetterthanhandsome!\'JanehadspentaneveningatHartfieldwithhergrandmotherandaunt,andeverythingwasrelapsingmuchintoitsusualstate.Formerprovocationsreappeared.Theauntwasastiresomeasever;moretiresome,becauseanxietyforherhealthwasnowaddedtoadmirationofherpowers;andtheyhadtolistentothedescriptionofexactlyhowlittlebreadandbuttersheateforbreakfast,andhowsmallasliceofmuttonfordinner,aswellastoseeexhibitionsofnewcapsandnewworkbagsforhermotherandherself;andJane\'soffencesroseagain.Theyhadmusic;Emmawasobligedtoplay;andthethanksandpraisewhichnecessarilyfollowedappearedtoheranaffectationofcandour,anairofgreatness,meaningonlytoshewoffinhigherstyleherownverysuperiorperformance.Shewas,besides,whichwastheworstofall,socold,socautious!Therewasnogettingatherrealopinion.Wraptupinacloakofpoliteness,sheseemeddeterminedtohazardnothing.Shewasdisgustingly,wassuspiciouslyreserved.
Ifanythingcouldbemore,whereallwasmost,shewasmorereservedonthesubjectofWeymouthandtheDixonsthananything.SheseemedbentongivingnorealinsightintoMr.Dixon\'scharacter,orherownvalueforhiscompany,oropinionofthesuitablenessofthematch.Itwasallgeneralapprobationandsmoothness;nothingdelineatedordistinguished.Itdidhernoservicehowever.Hercautionwasthrownaway.Emmasawitsartifice,andreturnedtoherfirstsurmises.Thereprobablywassomethingmoretoconcealthanherownpreference;Mr.Dixon,perhaps,hadbeenverynearchangingonefriendfortheother,orbeenfixedonlytoMissCampbell,forthesakeofthefuturetwelvethousandpounds.
Thelikereserveprevailedonothertopics.SheandMr.FrankChurchillhadbeenatWeymouthatthesametime.Itwasknownthattheywerealittleacquainted;butnotasyllableofrealinformationcouldEmmaprocureastowhathetrulywas.`Washehandsome?\'-`Shebelievedhewasreckonedaveryfineyoungman.\'`Washeagreeable?\'-`Hewasgenerallythoughtso.\'`Didheappearasensibleyoungman;ayoungmanofinformation?\'-`Atawatering-place,orinacommonLondonacquaintance,itwasdifficulttodecideonsuchpoints.Mannerswereallthatcouldbesafelyjudgedof,underamuchlongerknowledgethantheyhadyethadofMr.Churchill.Shebelievedeverybodyfoundhismannerspleasing.\'Emmacouldnotforgiveher.
CHAPTERIII
Emmacouldnotforgiveher;-butasneitherprovocationnorresentmentwerediscernedbyMr.Knightley,whohadbeenoftheparty,andhadseenonlyproperattentionandpleasingbehaviouroneachside,hewasexpressingthenextmorning,beingatHartfieldagainonbusinesswithMr.Woodhouse,hisapprobationofthewhole;notsoopenlyashemighthavedonehadherfatherbeenoutoftheroom,butspeakingplainenoughtobeveryintelligibletoEmma.HehadbeenusedtothinkherunjusttoJane,andhadnowgreatpleasureinmarkinganimprovement.
`Averypleasantevening,\'hebegan,assoonasMr.Woodhousehadbeentalkedintowhatwasnecessary,toldthatheunderstood,andthepaperssweptaway;-`particularlypleasant.YouandMissFairfaxgaveussomeverygoodmusic.Idonotknowamoreluxuriousstate,sir,thansittingatone\'seasetobeentertainedawholeeveningbytwosuchyoungwomen;sometimeswithmusicandsometimeswithconversation.IamsureMissFairfaxmusthavefoundtheeveningpleasant,Emma.Youleftnothingundone.Iwasgladyoumadeherplaysomuch,forhavingnoinstrumentathergrandmother\'s,itmusthavebeenarealindulgence.\'
`Iamhappyyouapproved,\'saidEmma,smiling;`butIhopeIamnotoftendeficientinwhatisduetoguestsatHartfield.\'
`No,mydear,\'saidherfatherinstantly;`thatIamsureyouarenot.Thereisnobodyhalfsoattentiveandcivilasyouare.Ifanything,youaretooattentive.Themuffinlastnight-ifithadbeenhandedroundonce,Ithinkitwouldhavebeenenough.\'
`No,\'saidMr.Knightley,nearlyatthesametime;`youarenotoftendeficient;notoftendeficienteitherinmannerorcomprehension.Ithinkyouunderstandme,therefore.\'
Anarchlookexpressed-`Iunderstandyouwellenough;\'butshesaidonly,`MissFairfaxisreserved.\'
`Ialwaystoldyoushewas-alittle;butyouwillsoonovercomeallthatpartofherreservewhichoughttobeovercome,allthathasitsfoundationindiffidence.Whatarisesfromdiscretionmustbehonoured.\'
`Youthinkherdiffident.Idonotseeit.\'