PoorHarrietwasinaflutterofspiritswhichrequiredallthereasoningsandsoothingsandattentionsofeverykindthatEmmacouldgive.Emmafeltthatshecouldnotdotoomuchforher,thatHarriethadarighttoallheringenuityandallherpatience;butitwasheavyworktobeforeverconvincingwithoutproducinganyeffect,foreveragreedto,withoutbeingabletomaketheiropinionsthesame.Harrietlistenedsubmissively,andsaid`itwasverytrue-itwasjustasMissWoodhousedescribed-itwasnotworthwhiletothinkaboutthem-andshewouldnotthinkaboutthemanylonger\'butnochangeofsubjectcouldavail,andthenexthalf-hoursawherasanxiousandrestlessabouttheEltonsasbefore.AtlastEmmaattackedheronanotherground.
`YourallowingyourselftobesooccupiedandsounhappyaboutMr.Elton\'smarrying,Harriet,isthestrongestreproachyoucanmakeme.YoucouldnotgivemeagreaterreproofforthemistakeIfellinto.Itwasallmydoing,Iknow.Ihavenotforgottenit,Iassureyou-Deceivedmyself,Ididverymiserablydeceiveyou-anditwillbeapainfulreflectiontomeforever.Donotimaginemeindangerofforgettingit.\'
Harrietfeltthistoomuchtouttermorethanafewwordsofeagerexclamation.Emmacontinued,
`Ihavenotsaid,exertyourselfHarrietformysake;thinkless,talklessofMr.Eltonformysake;becauseforyourownsakerather,Iwouldwishittobedone,forthesakeofwhatismoreimportantthanmycomfort,ahabitofself-commandinyou,aconsiderationofwhatisyourduty,anattentiontopropriety,anendeavourtoavoidthesuspicionsofothers,tosaveyourhealthandcredit,andrestoreyourtranquillity.ThesearethemotiveswhichIhavebeenpressingonyou.Theyareveryimportant-andsorryIamthatyoucannotfeelthemsufficientlytoactuponthem.Mybeingsavedfrompainisaverysecondaryconsideration.Iwantyoutosaveyourselffromgreaterpain.PerhapsImaysometimeshavefeltthatHarrietwouldnotforgetwhatwasdue-orratherwhatwouldbekindbyme.\'
Thisappealtoheraffectionsdidmorethanalltherest.TheideaofwantinggratitudeandconsiderationforMissWoodhouse,whomshereallylovedextremely,madeherwretchedforawhile,andwhentheviolenceofgriefwascomfortedaway,stillremainedpowerfulenoughtoprompttowhatwasrightandsupportherinitverytolerably.
`You,whohavebeenthebestfriendIeverhadinmylife-Wantgratitudetoyou!-Nobodyisequaltoyou!-IcarefornobodyasIdoforyou!-Oh!MissWoodhouse,howungratefulIhavebeen!\'
Suchexpressions,assistedastheywerebyeverythingthatlookandmannercoulddo,madeEmmafeelthatshehadneverlovedHarrietsowell,norvaluedheraffectionsohighlybefore.
`Thereisnocharmequaltotendernessofheart,\'saidsheafterwardstoherself.`Thereisnothingtobecomparedtoit.Warmthandtendernessofheart,withanaffectionate,openmanner,willbeatalltheclearnessofheadintheworld,forattraction,Iamsureitwill.Itistendernessofheartwhichmakesmydearfathersogenerallybeloved-whichgivesIsabellaallherpopularity-Ihaveitnot-butIknowhowtoprizeandrespectit-Harrietismysuperiorinallthecharmandallthefelicityitgives.DearHarriet!-Iwouldnotchangeyoufortheclearest-headed,longest-sighted,best-judgingfemalebreathing.Oh!thecoldnessofaJaneFairfax!-Harrietisworthahundredsuch-Andforawife-asensibleman\'swife-itisinvaluable.Imentionnonames;buthappythemanwhochangesEmmaforHarriet!\'
CHAPTERXIV
Mrs.Eltonwasfirstseenatchurch:butthoughdevotionmightbeinterrupted,curiositycouldnotbesatisfiedbyabrideinapew,anditmustbeleftforthevisitsinformwhichwerethentobepaid,tosettlewhethershewereveryprettyindeed,oronlyratherpretty,ornotprettyatall.
Emmahadfeelings,lessofcuriositythanofprideorpropriety,tomakeherresolveonnotbeingthelasttopayherrespects;andshemadeapointofHarriet\'sgoingwithher,thattheworstofthebusinessmightbegonethroughassoonaspossible.
Shecouldnotenterthehouseagain,couldnotbeinthesameroomtowhichshehadwithsuchvainartificeretreatedthreemonthsago,tolaceupherboot,withoutrecollecting.Athousandvexatiousthoughtswouldrecur.Compliments,charades,andhorribleblunders;anditwasnottobesupposedthatpoorHarrietshouldnotberecollectingtoo;butshebehavedverywell,andwasonlyratherpaleandsilent.Thevisitwasofcourseshort;andtherewassomuchembarrassmentandoccupationofmindtoshortenit,thatEmmawouldnotallowherselfentirelytoformanopinionofthelady,andonnoaccounttogiveone,beyondthenothing-meaningtermsofbeing`elegantlydressed,andverypleasing.\'
Shedidnotreallylikeher.Shewouldnotbeinahurrytofindfault,butshesuspectedthattherewasnoelegance;-ease,butnotelegance-Shewasalmostsurethatforayoungwoman,astranger,abride,therewastoomuchease.Herpersonwasrathergood;herfacenotunpretty;butneitherfeature,norair,norvoice,normanner,wereelegant.Emmathoughtatleastitwouldturnoutso.
AsforMr.Elton,hismannersdidnotappear-butno,shewouldnotpermitahastyorawittywordfromherselfabouthismanners.Itwasanawkwardceremonyatanytimetobereceivingweddingvisits,andamanhadneedbeallgracetoacquithimselfwellthroughit.Thewomanwasbetteroff;shemighthavetheassistanceoffineclothes,andtheprivilegeofbashfulness,butthemanhadonlyhisowngoodsensetodependon;andwhensheconsideredhowpeculiarlyunluckypoorMr.Eltonwasinbeinginthesameroomatoncewiththewomanhehadjustmarried,thewomanhehadwantedtomarry,andthewomanwhomhehadbeenexpectedtomarry,shemustallowhimtohavetherighttolookaslittlewise,andtobeasmuchaffectedly,andaslittlereallyeasyascouldbe.
`Well,MissWoodhouse,\'saidHarriet,whentheyhadquittedthehouse,andafterwaitinginvainforherfriendtobegin;`Well,MissWoodhouse,withagentlesigh,whatdoyouthinkofher?-Isnotsheverycharming?\'
TherewasalittlehesitationinEmma\'sanswer.
`Oh!yes-very-averypleasingyoungwoman.\'
`Ithinkherbeautiful,quitebeautiful.\'
`Verynicelydressed,indeed;aremarkablyelegantgown.\'
`Iamnotatallsurprizedthatheshouldhavefalleninlove.\'
`Oh!no-thereisnothingtosurprizeoneatall-Aprettyfortune;andshecameinhisway.\'
`Idaresay,\'returnedHarriet,sighingagain,`Idaresayshewasverymuchattachedtohim.\'
`Perhapsshemight;butitisnoteveryman\'sfatetomarrythewomanwholoveshimbest.MissHawkinsperhapswantedahome,andthoughtthisthebestoffershewaslikelytohave.\'
`Yes,\'saidHarrietearnestly,`andwellshemight,nobodycouldeverhaveabetter.Well,Iwishthemhappywithallmyheart.Andnow,MissWoodhouse,IdonotthinkIshallmindseeingthemagain.Heisjustassuperiorasever;-butbeingmarried,youknow,itisquiteadifferentthing.No,indeed,MissWoodhouse,youneednotbeafraid;Icansitandadmirehimnowwithoutanygreatmisery.Toknowthathehasnotthrownhimselfaway,issuchacomfort!-Shedoesseemacharmingyoungwoman,justwhathedeserves.Happycreature!Hecalledher``Augusta.\'\'Howdelightful!\'
Whenthevisitwasreturned,Emmamadeuphermind.Shecouldthenseemoreandjudgebetter.FromHarriet\'shappeningnottobeatHartfield,andherfather\'sbeingpresenttoengageMr.Elton,shehadaquarterofanhourofthelady\'sconversationtoherself,andcouldcomposedlyattendtoher;andthequarterofanhourquiteconvincedherthatMrs.Eltonwasavainwoman,extremelywellsatisfiedwithherself,andthinkingmuchofherownimportance;thatshemeanttoshineandbeverysuperior,butwithmannerswhichhadbeenformedinabadschool,pertandfamiliar;thatallhernotionsweredrawnfromonesetofpeople,andonestyleofliving;thatifnotfoolishshewasignorant,andthathersocietywouldcertainlydoMr.Eltonnogood.
Harrietwouldhavebeenabettermatch.Ifnotwiseorrefinedherself,shewouldhaveconnectedhimwiththosewhowere;butMissHawkins,itmightbefairlysupposedfromhereasyconceit,hadbeenthebestofherownset.Therichbrother-in-lawnearBristolwastheprideofthealliance,andhisplaceandhiscarriagesweretheprideofhim.
TheveryfirstsubjectafterbeingseatedwasMapleGrove,`MybrotherMr.Suckling\'sseat;\'-acomparisonofHartfieldtoMapleGrove.ThegroundsofHartfieldweresmall,butneatandpretty;andthehousewasmodernandwell-built.Mrs.Eltonseemedmostfavourablyimpressedbythesizeoftheroom,theentrance,andallthatshecouldseeorimagine.`VerylikeMapleGroveindeed!-Shewasquitestruckbythelikeness!-Thatroomwastheveryshapeandsizeofthemorning-roomatMapleGrove;hersister\'sfavouriteroom.\'-Mr.Eltonwasappealedto-`Wasnotitastonishinglylike?-ShecouldreallyalmostfancyherselfatMapleGrove.\'
`Andthestaircase-Youknow,asIcamein,Iobservedhowverylikethestaircasewas;placedexactlyinthesamepartofthehouse.Ireallycouldnothelpexclaiming!Iassureyou,MissWoodhouse,itisverydelightfultome,toberemindedofaplaceIamsoextremelypartialtoasMapleGrove.Ihavespentsomanyhappymonthsthere!withalittlesighofsentiment.Acharmingplace,undoubtedly.Everybodywhoseesitisstruckbyitsbeauty;buttome,ithasbeenquiteahome.Wheneveryouaretransplanted,likeme,MissWoodhouse,youwillunderstandhowverydelightfulitistomeetwithanythingatalllikewhatonehasleftbehind.Ialwayssaythisisquiteoneoftheevilsofmatrimony.\'
Emmamadeasslightareplyasshecould;butitwasfullysufficientforMrs.Elton,whoonlywantedtobetalkingherself.
`SoextremelylikeMapleGrove!Anditisnotmerelythehouse-thegrounds,Iassureyou,asfarasIcouldobserve,arestrikinglylike.ThelaurelsatMapleGroveareinthesameprofusionashere,andstandverymuchinthesameway-justacrossthelawn;andIhadaglimpseofafinelargetree,withabenchroundit,whichputmesoexactlyinmind!Mybrotherandsisterwillbeenchantedwiththisplace.Peoplewhohaveextensivegroundsthemselvesarealwayspleasedwithanythinginthesamestyle.\'
Emmadoubtedthetruthofthissentiment.Shehadagreatideathatpeoplewhohadextensivegroundsthemselvescaredverylittlefortheextensivegroundsofanybodyelse;butitwasnotworthwhiletoattackanerrorsodouble-dyed,andthereforeonlysaidinreply,
`Whenyouhaveseenmoreofthiscountry,IamafraidyouwillthinkyouhaveoverratedHartfield.Surryisfullofbeauties.\'
`Oh!yes,Iamquiteawareofthat.ItisthegardenofEngland,youknow.SurryisthegardenofEngland.\'
`Yes;butwemustnotrestourclaimsonthatdistinction.Manycounties,Ibelieve,arecalledthegardenofEngland,aswellasSurry.\'
`No,Ifancynot,\'repliedMrs.Elton,withamostsatisfiedsmile.\'IneverheardanycountybutSurrycalledso.\'
Emmawassilenced.
`Mybrotherandsisterhavepromisedusavisitinthespring,orsummeratfarthest,\'continuedMrs.Elton;`andthatwillbeourtimeforexploring.Whiletheyarewithus,weshallexploreagreatdeal,Idaresay.Theywillhavetheirbarouche-landau,ofcourse,whichholdsfourperfectly;andtherefore,withoutsayinganythingofourcarriage,weshouldbeabletoexplorethedifferentbeautiesextremelywell.Theywouldhardlycomeintheirchaise,Ithink,atthatseasonoftheyear.Indeed,whenthetimedrawson,Ishalldecidedlyrecommendtheirbringingthebarouche-landau;itwillbesoverymuchpreferable.Whenpeoplecomeintoabeautifulcountryofthissort,youknow,MissWoodhouse,onenaturallywishesthemtoseeasmuchaspossible;andMr.Sucklingisextremelyfondofexploring.WeexploredtoKing\'s-Westontwicelastsummer,inthatway,mostdelightfully,justaftertheirfirsthavingthebarouche-landau.Youhavemanypartiesofthatkindhere,Isuppose,MissWoodhouse,everysummer?\'
`No;notimmediatelyhere.Weareratheroutofdistanceoftheverystrikingbeautieswhichattractthesortofpartiesyouspeakof;andweareaveryquietsetofpeople,Ibelieve;moredisposedtostayathomethanengageinschemesofpleasure.\'
`Ah!thereisnothinglikestayingathomeforrealcomfort.NobodycanbemoredevotedtohomethanIam.IwasquiteaproverbforitatMapleGrove.ManyatimehasSelinasaid,whenshehasbeengoingtoBristol,``Ireallycannotgetthisgirltomovefromthehouse.Iabsolutelymustgoinbymyself,thoughIhatebeingstuckupinthebarouche-landauwithoutacompanion;butAugusta,Ibelieve,withherowngood-will,wouldneverstirbeyondtheparkpaling.\'\'Manyatimehasshesaidso;andyetIamnoadvocateforentireseclusion.Ithink,onthecontrary,whenpeopleshutthemselvesupentirelyfromsociety,itisaverybadthing;andthatitismuchmoreadvisabletomixintheworldinaproperdegree,withoutlivinginiteithertoomuchortoolittle.Iperfectlyunderstandyoursituation,however,MissWoodhouse-lookingtowardsMr.Woodhouse,Yourfather\'sstateofhealthmustbeagreatdrawback.WhydoesnothetryBath?-Indeedheshould.LetmerecommendBathtoyou.IassureyouIhavenodoubtofitsdoingMr.Woodhousegood.\'
`Myfathertrieditmorethanonce,formerly;butwithoutreceivinganybenefit;andMr.Perry,whosename,Idaresay,isnotunknowntoyou,doesnotconceiveitwouldbeatallmorelikelytobeusefulnow.\'
`Ah!that\'sagreatpity;forIassureyou,MissWoodhouse,wherethewatersdoagree,itisquitewonderfultherelieftheygive.InmyBathlife,Ihaveseensuchinstancesofit!Anditissocheerfulaplace,thatitcouldnotfailofbeingofusetoMr.Woodhouse\'sspirits,which,Iunderstand,aresometimesmuchdepressed.Andastoitsrecommendationstoyou,IfancyIneednottakemuchpainstodwellonthem.TheadvantagesofBathtotheyoungareprettygenerallyunderstood.Itwouldbeacharmingintroductionforyou,whohavelivedsosecludedalife;andIcouldimmediatelysecureyousomeofthebestsocietyintheplace.Alinefrommewouldbringyoualittlehostofacquaintance;andmyparticularfriend,Mrs.Partridge,theladyIhavealwaysresidedwithwheninBath,wouldbemosthappytoshewyouanyattentions,andwouldbetheverypersonforyoutogointopublicwith.\'
ItwasasmuchasEmmacouldbear,withoutbeingimpolite.TheideaofherbeingindebtedtoMrs.Eltonforwhatwascalledanintroduction-ofhergoingintopublicundertheauspicesofafriendofMrs.Elton\'s-probablysomevulgar,dashingwidow,who,withthehelpofaboarder,justmadeashifttolive!-ThedignityofMissWoodhouse,ofHartfield,wassunkindeed!
Sherestrainedherself,however,fromanyofthereproofsshecouldhavegiven,andonlythankedMrs.Eltoncoolly;`buttheirgoingtoBathwasquiteoutofthequestion;andshewasnotperfectlyconvincedthattheplacemightsuitherbetterthanherfather.\'Andthen,topreventfartheroutrageandindignation,changedthesubjectdirectly.
`Idonotaskwhetheryouaremusical,Mrs.Elton.Upontheseoccasions,alady\'scharactergenerallyprecedesher;andHighburyhaslongknownthatyouareasuperiorperformer.\'
`Oh!no,indeed;Imustprotestagainstanysuchidea.Asuperiorperformer!-veryfarfromit,Iassureyou.Considerfromhowpartialaquarteryourinformationcame.Iamdoatinglyfondofmusic-passionatelyfond;-andmyfriendssayIamnotentirelydevoidoftaste;butastoanythingelse,uponmyhonourmyperformanceismediocretothelastdegree.You,MissWoodhouse,Iwellknow,playdelightfully.Iassureyouithasbeenthegreatestsatisfaction,comfort,anddelighttome,tohearwhatamusicalsocietyIamgotinto.Iabsolutelycannotdowithoutmusic.Itisanecessaryoflifetome;andhavingalwaysbeenusedtoaverymusicalsociety,bothatMapleGroveandinBath,itwouldhavebeenamostserioussacrifice.IhonestlysaidasmuchtoMr.E.whenhewasspeakingofmyfuturehome,andexpressinghisfearslesttheretirementofitshouldbedisagreeable;andtheinferiorityofthehousetoo-knowingwhatIhadbeenaccustomedto-ofcoursehewasnotwhollywithoutapprehension.Whenhewasspeakingofitinthatway,IhonestlysaidthattheworldIcouldgiveup-parties,balls,plays-forIhadnofearofretirement.Blessedwithsomanyresourceswithinmyself,theworldwasnotnecessarytome.Icoulddoverywellwithoutit.Tothosewhohadnoresourcesitwasadifferentthing;butmyresourcesmademequiteindependent.Andastosmaller-sizedroomsthanIhadbeenusedto,Ireallycouldnotgiveitathought.IhopedIwasperfectlyequaltoanysacrificeofthatdescription.CertainlyIhadbeenaccustomedtoeveryluxuryatMapleGrove;butIdidassurehimthattwocarriageswerenotnecessarytomyhappiness,norwerespaciousapartments.``But,\'\'saidI,``tobequitehonest,IdonotthinkIcanlivewithoutsomethingofamusicalsociety.Iconditionfornothingelse;butwithoutmusic,lifewouldbeablanktome.\'\'\'
`Wecannotsuppose,\'saidEmma,smiling,`thatMr.EltonwouldhesitatetoassureyouoftherebeingaverymusicalsocietyinHighbury;andIhopeyouwillnotfindhehasoutsteppedthetruthmorethanmaybepardoned,inconsiderationofthemotive.\'
`No,indeed,Ihavenodoubtsatallonthathead.Iamdelightedtofindmyselfinsuchacircle.Ihopeweshallhavemanysweetlittleconcertstogether.Ithink,MissWoodhouse,youandImustestablishamusicalclub,andhaveregularweeklymeetingsatyourhouse,orours.Willnotitbeagoodplan?Ifweexertourselves,Ithinkweshallnotbelonginwantofallies.Somethingofthatnaturewouldbeparticularlydesirableforme,asaninducementtokeepmeinpractice;formarriedwomen,youknow-thereisasadstoryagainstthem,ingeneral.Theyarebuttooapttogiveupmusic.\'
`Butyou,whoaresoextremelyfondofit-therecanbenodanger,surely?\'
`Ishouldhopenot;butreallywhenIlookaroundamongmyacquaintance,Itremble.Selinahasentirelygivenupmusic-nevertouchestheinstrument-thoughsheplayedsweetly.AndthesamemaybesaidofMrs.Jeffereys-ClaraPartridge,thatwas-andofthetwoMilmans,nowMrs.BirdandMrs.JamesCooper;andofmorethanIcanenumerate.Uponmyworditisenoughtoputoneinafright.IusedtobequiteangrywithSelina;butreallyIbeginnowtocomprehendthatamarriedwomanhasmanythingstocallherattention.IbelieveIwashalfanhourthismorningshutupwithmyhousekeeper.\'
`Buteverythingofthatkind,\'saidEmma,`willsoonbeinsoregularatrain-\'
`Well,\'saidMrs.Elton,laughing,`weshallsee.\'
Emma,findinghersodetermineduponneglectinghermusic,hadnothingmoretosay;and,afteramoment\'spause,Mrs.Eltonchoseanothersubject.
`WehavebeencallingatRandalls,\'saidshe,`andfoundthembothathome;andverypleasantpeopletheyseemtobe.Ilikethemextremely.Mr.Westonseemsanexcellentcreature-quiteafirst-ratefavouritewithmealready,Iassureyou.Andsheappearssotrulygood-thereissomethingsomotherlyandkind-heartedabouther,thatitwinsupononedirectly.Shewasyourgoverness,Ithink?\'
Emmawasalmosttoomuchastonishedtoanswer;butMrs.Eltonhardlywaitedfortheaffirmativebeforeshewenton.
`Havingunderstoodasmuch,Iwasratherastonishedtofindhersoverylady-like!Butsheisreallyquitethegentlewoman.\'
`Mrs.Weston\'smanners,\'saidEmma,`werealwaysparticularlygood.Theirpropriety,simplicity,andelegance,wouldmakethemthesafestmodelforanyyoungwoman.\'
`Andwhodoyouthinkcameinwhilewewerethere?\'
Emmawasquiteataloss.Thetoneimpliedsomeoldacquaintance-andhowcouldshepossiblyguess?
`Knightley!\'continuedMrs.Elton;`Knightleyhimself!-Wasnotitlucky?-for,notbeingwithinwhenhecalledtheotherday,Ihadneverseenhimbefore;andofcourse,assoparticularafriendofMr.E.\'s,Ihadagreatcuriosity.``MyfriendKnightley\'\'hadbeensooftenmentioned,thatIwasreallyimpatienttoseehim;andImustdomycarosposothejusticetosaythatheneednotbeashamedofhisfriend.Knightleyisquitethegentleman.Ilikehimverymuch.Decidedly,Ithink,averygentleman-likeman.\'
Happily,itwasnowtimetobegone.Theywereoff;andEmmacouldbreathe.
`Insufferablewoman!\'washerimmediateexclamation.`WorsethanIhadsupposed.Absolutelyinsufferable!Knightley!-Icouldnothavebelievedit.Knightley!-neverseenhiminherlifebefore,andcallhimKnightley!-anddiscoverthatheisagentleman!Alittleupstart,vulgarbeing,withherMr.E.,andhercarosposo,andherresources,andallherairsofpertpretensionandunderbredfinery.ActuallytodiscoverthatMr.Knightleyisagentleman!Idoubtwhetherhewillreturnthecompliment,anddiscoverhertobealady.Icouldnothavebelievedit!AndtoproposethatsheandIshouldunitetoformamusicalclub!Onewouldfancywewerebosomfriends!AndMrs.Weston!-Astonishedthatthepersonwhohadbroughtmeupshouldbeagentlewoman!Worseandworse.Inevermetwithherequal.Muchbeyondmyhopes.Harrietisdisgracedbyanycomparison.Oh!whatwouldFrankChurchillsaytoher,ifhewerehere?Howangryandhowdivertedhewouldbe!Ah!thereIam-thinkingofhimdirectly.Alwaysthefirstpersontobethoughtof!HowIcatchmyselfout!FrankChurchillcomesasregularlyintomymind!\'-
Allthisransogliblythroughherthoughts,thatbythetimeherfatherhadarrangedhimself,afterthebustleoftheEltons\'departure,andwasreadytospeak,shewasverytolerablycapableofattending.
`Well,mydear,\'hedeliberatelybegan,`consideringweneversawherbefore,sheseemsaveryprettysortofyounglady;andIdaresayshewasverymuchpleasedwithyou.Shespeaksalittletooquick.Alittlequicknessofvoicethereiswhichratherhurtstheear.ButIbelieveIamnice;Idonotlikestrangevoices;andnobodyspeakslikeyouandpoorMissTaylor.However,sheseemsaveryobliging,pretty-behavedyounglady,andnodoubtwillmakehimaverygoodwife.ThoughIthinkhehadbetternothavemarried.ImadethebestexcusesIcouldfornothavingbeenabletowaitonhimandMrs.Eltononthishappyoccasion;IsaidthatIhopedIshouldinthecourseofthesummer.ButIoughttohavegonebefore.Nottowaituponabrideisveryremiss.Ah!itshewswhatasadinvalidIam!ButIdonotlikethecornerintoVicarageLane.\'
`Idaresayyourapologieswereaccepted,sir.Mr.Eltonknowsyou.\'
`Yes:butayounglady-abride-Ioughttohavepaidmyrespectstoherifpossible.Itwasbeingverydeficient.\'
`But,mydearpapa,youarenofriendtomatrimony;andthereforewhyshouldyoubesoanxioustopayyourrespectstoabride?Itoughttobenorecommendationtoyou.Itisencouragingpeopletomarryifyoumakesomuchofthem.\'
`No,mydear,Ineverencouragedanybodytomarry,butIwouldalwayswishtopayeveryproperattentiontoalady-andabride,especially,isnevertobeneglected.Moreisavowedlyduetoher.Abride,youknow,mydear,isalwaysthefirstincompany,lettheothersbewhotheymay.\'
`Well,papa,ifthisisnotencouragementtomarry,Idonotknowwhatis.AndIshouldneverhaveexpectedyoutobelendingyoursanctiontosuchvanity-baitsforpooryoungladies.\'
`Mydear,youdonotunderstandme.Thisisamatterofmerecommonpolitenessandgood-breeding,andhasnothingtodowithanyencouragementtopeopletomarry.\'
Emmahaddone.Herfatherwasgrowingnervous,andcouldnotunderstandher.HermindreturnedtoMrs.Elton\'soffences,andlong,verylong,didtheyoccupyher.
CHAPTERXV
Emmawasnotrequired,byanysubsequentdiscovery,toretractherillopinionofMrs.Elton.Herobservationhadbeenprettycorrect.SuchasMrs.Eltonappearedtoheronthissecondinterview,suchsheappearedwhenevertheymetagain,-self-important,presuming,familiar,ignorant,andill-bred.Shehadalittlebeautyandalittleaccomplishment,butsolittlejudgmentthatshethoughtherselfcomingwithsuperiorknowledgeoftheworld,toenlivenandimproveacountryneighbourhood;andconceivedMissHawkinstohaveheldsuchaplaceinsocietyasMrs.Elton\'sconsequenceonlycouldsurpass.
TherewasnoreasontosupposeMr.Eltonthoughtatalldifferentlyfromhiswife.Heseemednotmerelyhappywithher,butproud.HehadtheairofcongratulatinghimselfonhavingbroughtsuchawomantoHighbury,asnotevenMissWoodhousecouldequal;andthegreaterpartofhernewacquaintance,disposedtocommend,ornotinthehabitofjudging,followingtheleadofMissBates\'sgood-will,ortakingitforgrantedthatthebridemustbeascleverandasagreeableassheprofessedherself,wereverywellsatisfied;sothatMrs.Elton\'spraisepassedfromonemouthtoanotherasitoughttodo,unimpededbyMissWoodhouse,whoreadilycontinuedherfirstcontributionandtalkedwithagoodgraceofherbeing`verypleasantandveryelegantlydressed.\'
InonerespectMrs.Eltongrewevenworsethanshehadappearedatfirst.HerfeelingsalteredtowardsEmma-Offended,probably,bythelittleencouragementwhichherproposalsofintimacymetwith,shedrewbackinherturnandgraduallybecamemuchmorecoldanddistant;andthoughtheeffectwasagreeable,theill-willwhichproduceditwasnecessarilyincreasingEmma\'sdislike.Hermanners,too-andMr.Elton\'s,wereunpleasanttowardsHarriet.Theyweresneeringandnegligent.EmmahopeditmustrapidlyworkHarriet\'scure;butthesensationswhichcouldpromptsuchbehavioursunkthembothverymuch-ItwasnottobedoubtedthatpoorHarriet\'sattachmenthadbeenanofferingtoconjugalunreserve,andherownshareinthestory,underacolouringtheleastfavourabletoherandthemostsoothingtohim,hadinalllikelihoodbeengivenalso.Shewas,ofcourse,theobjectoftheirjointdislike-Whentheyhadnothingelsetosay,itmustbealwayseasytobeginabusingMissWoodhouse;andtheenmitywhichtheydarednotshewinopendisrespecttoher,foundabroaderventincontemptuoustreatmentofHarriet.
Mrs.EltontookagreatfancytoJaneFairfax;andfromthefirst.Notmerelywhenastateofwarfarewithoneyoungladymightbesupposedtorecommendtheother,butfromtheveryfirst;andshewasnotsatisfiedwithexpressinganaturalandreasonableadmiration-butwithoutsolicitation,orplea,orprivilege,shemustbewantingtoassistandbefriendher-BeforeEmmahadforfeitedherconfidence,andaboutthethirdtimeoftheirmeeting,sheheardallMrs.Elton\'sknight-errantryonthesubject-
`JaneFairfaxisabsolutelycharming,MissWoodhouse-IquiteraveaboutJaneFairfax-Asweet,interestingcreature.Somildandladylike-andwithsuchtalents!-IassureyouIthinkshehasveryextraordinarytalents.Idonotscrupletosaythatsheplaysextremelywell.Iknowenoughofmusictospeakdecidedlyonthatpoint.Oh!sheisabsolutelycharming!Youwilllaughatmywarmth-but,uponmyword,ItalkofnothingbutJaneFairfax-Andhersituationissocalculatedtoaffectone!-MissWoodhouse,wemustexertourselvesandendeavourtodosomethingforher.Wemustbringherforward.Suchtalentashersmustnotbesufferedtoremainunknown-Idaresayyouhaveheardthosecharminglinesofthepoet,
Fullmanyaflowerisborntoblushunseen,
Andwasteitsfragranceonthedesertair.
WemustnotallowthemtobeverifiedinsweetJaneFairfax.\'
`Icannotthinkthereisanydangerofit,\'wasEmma\'scalmanswer-`andwhenyouarebetteracquaintedwithMissFairfax\'ssituationandunderstandwhatherhomehasbeen,withColonelandMrs.Campbell,Ihavenoideathatyouwillsupposehertalentscanbeunknown.\'
`Oh!butdearMissWoodhouse,sheisnowinsuchretirement,suchobscurity,sothrownaway-WhateveradvantagesshemayhaveenjoyedwiththeCampbellsaresopalpablyatanend!AndIthinkshefeelsit.Iamsureshedoes.Sheisverytimidandsilent.Onecanseethatshefeelsthewantofencouragement.Ilikeherthebetterforit.Imustconfessitisarecommendationtome.Iamagreatadvocatefortimidity-andIamsureonedoesnotoftenmeetwithit-Butinthosewhoareatallinferior,itisextremelyprepossessing.Oh!Iassureyou,JaneFairfaxisaverydelightfulcharacter,andinterestsmemorethanIcanexpress.\'
`Youappeartofeelagreatdeal-butIamnotawarehowyouoranyofMissFairfax\'sacquaintancehere,anyofthosewhohaveknownherlongerthanyourself,canshewheranyotherattentionthan\'-
`MydearMissWoodhouse,avastdealmaybedonebythosewhodaretoact.YouandIneednotbeafraid.Ifwesettheexample,manywillfollowitasfarastheycan;thoughallhavenotoursituations.Wehavecarriagestofetchandconveyherhome,andweliveinastylewhichcouldnotmaketheadditionofJaneFairfax,atanytime,theleastinconvenient-IshouldbeextremelydispleasedifWrightweretosendusupsuchadinner,ascouldmakemeregrethavingaskedmorethanJaneFairfaxtopartakeofit.Ihavenoideaofthatsortofthing.ItisnotlikelythatIshoulshallintroduceher,ofcourse,veryparticularlytomybrotherandsisterwhentheycometous.Iamsuretheywilllikeherextremely;andwhenshegetsalittleacquaintedwiththem,herfearswillcompletelywearoff,fortherereallyisnothinginthemannersofeitherbutwhatishighlyconciliating-Ishallhaveherveryoftenindeedwhiletheyarewithme,andIdaresayweshallsometimesfindaseatforherinthebarouche-landauinsomeofourexploringparties.\'
`PoorJaneFairfax!\'-thoughtEmma-`Youhavenotdeservedthis.YoumayhavedonewrongwithregardtoMr.Dixon,butthisisapunishmentbeyondwhatyoucanhavemerited!-ThekindnessandprotectionofMrs.Elton!-``JaneFairfaxandJaneFairfax.\'\'Heavens!Letmenotsupposethatshedaresgoabout,EmmaWoodhouse-ingme!-Butuponmyhonour,thereseemsnolimitstothelicentiousnessofthatwoman\'stongue!\'
Emmahadnottolistentosuchparadingsagain-toanysoexclusivelyaddressedtoherself-sodisgustinglydecoratedwitha`dearMissWoodhouse.\'ThechangeonMrs.Elton\'ssidesoonafterwardsappeared,andshewasleftinpeace-neitherforcedtobetheveryparticularfriendofMrs.Elton,nor,underMrs.Elton\'sguidance,theveryactivepatronessofJaneFairfax,andonlysharingwithothersinageneralway,inknowingwhatwasfelt,whatwasmeditated,whatwasdone.
Shelookedonwithsomeamusement-MissBates\'sgratitudeforMrs.Elton\'sattentionstoJanewasinthefirststyleofguilelesssimplicityandwarmth.Shewasquiteoneofherworthies-themostamiable,affable,delightfulwoman-justasaccomplishedandcondescendingasMrs.Eltonmeanttobeconsidered.Emma\'sonlysurprizewasthatJaneFairfaxshouldacceptthoseattentionsandtolerateMrs.Eltonassheseemedtodo.SheheardofherwalkingwiththeEltons,sittingwiththeEltons,spendingadaywiththeEltons!Thiswasastonishing!-ShecouldnothavebelieveditpossiblethatthetasteortheprideofMissFairfaxcouldenduresuchsocietyandfriendshipastheVicaragehadtooffer.
`Sheisariddle,quiteariddle!\'saidshe-`Tochusetoremainheremonthaftermonth,underprivationsofeverysort!AndnowtochusethemortificationofMrs.Elton\'snoticeandthepenuryofherconversation,ratherthanreturntothesuperiorcompanionswhohavealwayslovedherwithsuchreal,generousaffection.\'
JanehadcometoHighburyprofessedlyforthreemonths;theCampbellsweregonetoIrelandforthreemonths;butnowtheCampbellshadpromisedtheirdaughtertostayatleasttillMidsummer,andfreshinvitationshadarrivedforhertojointhemthere.AccordingtoMissBates-itallcamefromher-Mrs.Dixonhadwrittenmostpressingly.WouldJanebutgo,meansweretobefound,servantssent,friendscontrived-notravellingdifficultyallowedtoexist;butstillshehaddeclinedit!
`Shemusthavesomemotive,morepowerfulthanappears,forrefusingthisinvitation,\'wasEmma\'sconclusion.`Shemustbeundersomesortofpenance,inflictedeitherbytheCampbellsorherself.Thereisgreatfear,greatcaution,greatresolutionsomewhere-SheisnottobewiththeDixons.Thedecreeisissuedbysomebody.ButwhymustsheconsenttobewiththeEltons?-Hereisquiteaseparatepuzzle.\'
Uponherspeakingherwonderaloudonthatpartofthesubject,beforethefewwhoknewheropinionofMrs.Elton,Mrs.WestonventuredthisapologyforJane.
`WecannotsupposethatshehasanygreatenjoymentattheVicarage,mydearEmma-butitisbetterthanbeingalwaysathome.Herauntisagoodcreature,but,asaconstantcompanion,mustbeverytiresome.WemustconsiderwhatMissFairfaxquits,beforewecondemnhertasteforwhatshegoesto.\'
`Youareright,Mrs.Weston,\'saidMr.Knightleywarmly,`MissFairfaxisascapableasanyofusofformingajustopinionofMrs.Elton.Couldshehavechosenwithwhomtoassociate,shewouldnothavechosenher.ButwithareproachfulsmileatEmmashereceivesattentionsfromMrs.Elton,whichnobodyelsepaysher.\'
EmmafeltthatMrs.Westonwasgivingheramomentaryglance;andshewasherselfstruckbyhiswarmth.Withafaintblush,shepresentlyreplied,
`SuchattentionsasMrs.Elton\'s,Ishouldhaveimagined,wouldratherdisgustthangratifyMissFairfax.Mrs.Elton\'sinvitationsIshouldhaveimaginedanythingbutinviting.\'
`Ishouldnotwonder,\'saidMrs.Weston,`ifMissFairfaxweretohavebeendrawnonbeyondherowninclination,byheraunt\'seagernessinacceptingMrs.Elton\'scivilitiesforher.PoorMissBatesmayverylikelyhavecommittedhernieceandhurriedherintoagreaterappearanceofintimacythanherowngoodsensewouldhavedictated,inspiteoftheverynaturalwishofalittlechange.\'