Bothfeltratheranxioustohearhimspeakagain;andafterafewminutessilence,hesaid,
`Anotherthingmustbetakenintoconsiderationtoo-Mrs.EltondoesnottalktoMissFairfaxasshespeaksofher.Weallknowthedifferencebetweenthepronounsheorsheandthou,theplainestspokenamongstus;weallfeeltheinfluenceofasomethingbeyondcommoncivilityinourpersonalintercoursewitheachother-asomethingmoreearlyimplanted.Wecannotgiveanybodythedisagreeablehintsthatwemayhavebeenveryfullofthehourbefore.Wefeelthingsdifferently.Andbesidestheoperationofthis,asageneralprinciple,youmaybesurethatMissFairfaxawesMrs.Eltonbyhersuperioritybothofmindandmanner;andthat,facetoface,Mrs.Eltontreatsherwithalltherespectwhichshehasaclaimto.SuchawomanasJaneFairfaxprobablyneverfellinMrs.Elton\'swaybefore-andnodegreeofvanitycanpreventheracknowledgingherowncomparativelittlenessinaction,ifnotinconsciousness.\'
`IknowhowhighlyyouthinkofJaneFairfax,\'saidEmma.LittleHenrywasinherthoughts,andamixtureofalarmanddelicacymadeherirresolutewhatelsetosay.
`Yes,\'hereplied,`anybodymayknowhowhighlyIthinkofher.\'
`Andyet,\'saidEmma,beginninghastilyandwithanarchlook,butsoonstopping-itwasbetter,however,toknowtheworstatonce-shehurriedon-`Andyet,perhaps,youmayhardlybeawareyourselfhowhighlyitis.Theextentofyouradmirationmaytakeyoubysurprizesomedayorother.\'
Mr.Knightleywashardatworkuponthelowerbuttonsofhisthickleathergaiters,andeithertheexertionofgettingthemtogether,orsomeothercause,broughtthecolourintohisface,asheanswered,
`Oh!areyouthere?-Butyouaremiserablybehindhand.Mr.Colegavemeahintofitsixweeksago.\'
Hestopped-EmmafeltherfootpressedbyMrs.Weston,anddidnotherselfknowwhattothink.Inamomenthewenton-
`Thatwillneverbe,however,Icanassureyou.MissFairfax,Idaresay,wouldnothavemeifIweretoaskher-andIamverysureIshallneveraskher.\'
Emmareturnedherfriend\'spressurewithinterest;andwaspleasedenoughtoexclaim,
`Youarenotvain,Mr.Knightley.Iwillsaythatforyou.\'
Heseemedhardlytohearher;hewasthoughtful-andinamannerwhichshewedhimnotpleased,soonafterwardssaid,
`SoyouhavebeensettlingthatIshouldmarryJaneFairfax?\'
`NoindeedIhavenot.Youhavescoldedmetoomuchformatch-making,formetopresumetotakesuchalibertywithyou.WhatIsaidjustnow,meantnothing.Onesaysthosesortofthings,ofcourse,withoutanyideaofaseriousmeaning.Oh!no,uponmywordIhavenotthesmallestwishforyourmarryingJaneFairfaxorJaneanybody.Youwouldnotcomeinandsitwithusinthiscomfortableway,ifyouweremarried.\'
Mr.Knightleywasthoughtfulagain.Theresultofhisreveriewas,`No,Emma,Idonotthinktheextentofmyadmirationforherwillevertakemebysurprize-Ineverhadathoughtofherinthatway,Iassureyou.\'Andsoonafterwards,`JaneFairfaxisaverycharmingyoungwoman-butnotevenJaneFairfaxisperfect.Shehasafault.Shehasnottheopentemperwhichamanwouldwishforinawife.\'
Emmacouldnotbutrejoicetohearthatshehadafault.`Well,\'saidshe,`andyousoonsilencedMr.Cole,Isuppose?\'
`Yes,verysoon.Hegavemeaquiethint;Itoldhimhewasmistaken;heaskedmypardonandsaidnomore.Coledoesnotwanttobewiserorwittierthanhisneighbours.\'
`InthatrespecthowunlikedearMrs.Elton,whowantstobewiserandwittierthanalltheworld!IwonderhowshespeaksoftheColes-whatshecallsthem!Howcanshefindanyappellationforthem,deepenoughinfamiliarvulgarity?Shecallsyou,Knightley-whatcanshedoforMr.Cole?AndsoIamnottobesurprizedthatJaneFairfaxacceptshercivilitiesandconsentstobewithher.Mrs.Weston,yourargumentweighsmostwithme.IcanmuchmorereadilyenterintothetemptationofgettingawayfromMissBates,thanIcanbelieveinthetriumphofMissFairfax\'smindoverMrs.Elton.IhavenofaithinMrs.Elton\'sacknowledgingherselftheinferiorinthought,word,ordeed;orinherbeingunderanyrestraintbeyondherownscantyruleofgood-breeding.Icannotimaginethatshewillnotbecontinuallyinsultinghervisitorwithpraise,encouragement,andoffersofservice;thatshewillnotbecontinuallydetailinghermagnificentintentions,fromtheprocuringherapermanentsituationtotheincludingherinthosedelightfulexploringpartieswhicharetotakeplaceinthebarouche-landau.\'
`JaneFairfaxhasfeeling,\'saidMr.Knightley-`Idonotaccuseherofwantoffeeling.Hersensibilities,Isuspect,arestrong-andhertemperexcellentinitspowerofforbearance,patience,self-controul;butitwantsopenness.Sheisreserved,morereserved,Ithink,thansheusedtobe-AndIloveanopentemper.No-tillColealludedtomysupposedattachment,ithadneverenteredmyhead.IsawJaneFairfaxandconversedwithher,withadmirationandpleasurealways-butwithnothoughtbeyond.\'
`Well,Mrs.Weston,\'saidEmmatriumphantlywhenheleftthem,`whatdoyousaynowtoMr.Knightley\'smarryingJaneFairfax?\'
`Why,really,dearEmma,Isaythatheissoverymuchoccupiedbytheideaofnotbeinginlovewithher,thatIshouldnotwonderifitweretoendinhisbeingsoatlast.Donotbeatme.\'
CHAPTERXVI
EverybodyinandaboutHighburywhohadevervisitedMr.Elton,wasdisposedtopayhimattentiononhismarriage.Dinner-partiesandevening-partiesweremadeforhimandhislady;andinvitationsflowedinsofastthatshehadsoonthepleasureofapprehendingtheywerenevertohaveadisengagedday.
`Iseehowitis,\'saidshe.`IseewhatalifeIamtoleadamongyou.Uponmywordweshallbeabsolutelydissipated.Wereallyseemquitethefashion.Ifthisislivinginthecountry,itisnothingveryformidable.FromMondaynexttoSaturday,Iassureyouwehavenotadisengagedday!-AwomanwithfewerresourcesthanIhave,neednothavebeenataloss.\'
Noinvitationcameamisstoher.HerBathhabitsmadeevening-partiesperfectlynaturaltoher,andMapleGrovehadgivenheratastefordinners.Shewasalittleshockedatthewantoftwodrawingrooms,atthepoorattemptatrout-cakes,andtherebeingnoiceintheHighburycard-parties.Mrs.Bates,Mrs.Perry,Mrs.Goddardandothers,wereagooddealbehind-handinknowledgeoftheworld,butshewouldsoonshewthemhoweverythingoughttobearranged.Inthecourseofthespringshemustreturntheircivilitiesbyoneverysuperiorparty-inwhichhercard-tablesshouldbesetoutwiththeirseparatecandlesandunbrokenpacksinthetruestyle-andmorewaitersengagedfortheeveningthantheirownestablishmentcouldfurnish,tocarryroundtherefreshmentsatexactlytheproperhour,andintheproperorder.
Emma,inthemeanwhile,couldnotbesatisfiedwithoutadinneratHartfieldfortheEltons.Theymustnotdolessthanothers,orsheshouldbeexposedtoodioussuspicions,andimaginedcapableofpitifulresentment.Adinnertheremustbe.AfterEmmahadtalkedaboutitfortenminutes,Mr.Woodhousefeltnounwillingness,andonlymadetheusualstipulationofnotsittingatthebottomofthetablehimself,withtheusualregulardifficultyofdecidingwhoshoulddoitforhim.
Thepersonstobeinvited,requiredlittlethought.BesidestheEltons,itmustbetheWestonsandMr.Knightley;sofaritwasallofcourse-anditwashardlylessinevitablethatpoorlittleHarrietmustbeaskedtomaketheeighth:-butthisinvitationwasnotgivenwithequalsatisfaction,andonmanyaccountsEmmawasparticularlypleasedbyHarriet\'sbeggingtobeallowedtodeclineit.`Shewouldrathernotbeinhiscompanymorethanshecouldhelp.Shewasnotyetquiteabletoseehimandhischarminghappywifetogether,withoutfeelinguncomfortable.IfMissWoodhousewouldnotbedispleased,shewouldratherstayathome.\'ItwaspreciselywhatEmmawouldhavewished,hadshedeemeditpossibleenoughforwishing.Shewasdelightedwiththefortitudeofherlittlefriend-forfortitudesheknewitwasinhertogiveupbeingincompanyandstayathome;andshecouldnowinvitetheverypersonwhomshereallywantedtomaketheeighth,JaneFairfax-SinceherlastconversationwithMrs.WestonandMr.Knightley,shewasmoreconscience-strickenaboutJaneFairfaxthanshehadoftenbeen-Mr.Knightley\'swordsdweltwithher.HehadsaidthatJaneFairfaxreceivedattentionsfromMrs.Eltonwhichnobodyelsepaidher.
`Thisisverytrue,\'saidshe,`atleastasfarasrelatestome,whichwasallthatwasmeant-anditisveryshameful-Ofthesameage-andalwaysknowingher-Ioughttohavebeenmoreherfriend-Shewillneverlikemenow.Ihaveneglectedhertoolong.ButIwillshewhergreaterattentionthanIhavedone.\'
Everyinvitationwassuccessful.Theywerealldisengagedandallhappy-Thepreparatoryinterestofthisdinner,however,wasnotyetover.Acircumstanceratherunluckyoccurred.ThetwoeldestlittleKnightleyswereengagedtopaytheirgrandpapaandauntavisitofsomeweeksinthespring,andtheirpapanowproposedbringingthem,andstayingonewholedayatHartfield-whichonedaywouldbetheverydayofthisparty-Hisprofessionalengagementsdidnotallowofhisbeingputoff,butbothfatheranddaughterweredisturbedbyitshappeningso.Mr.Woodhouseconsideredeightpersonsatdinnertogetherastheutmostthathisnervescouldbear-andherewouldbeaninth-andEmmaapprehendedthatitwouldbeaninthverymuchoutofhumouratnotbeingabletocomeeventoHartfieldforforty-eighthourswithoutfallinginwithadinner-party.
Shecomfortedherfatherbetterthanshecouldcomfortherself,byrepresentingthatthoughhecertainlywouldmakethemnine,yethealwayssaidsolittle,thattheincreaseofnoisewouldbeveryimmaterial.Shethoughtitinrealityasadexchangeforherself,tohavehimwithhisgravelooksandreluctantconversationopposedtoherinsteadofhisbrother.
TheeventwasmorefavourabletoMr.WoodhousethantoEmma.JohnKnightleycame;butMr.Westonwasunexpectedlysummonedtotownandmustbeabsentontheveryday.Hemightbeabletojointhemintheevening,butcertainlynottodinner.Mr.Woodhousewasquiteatease;andtheseeinghimso,withthearrivalofthelittleboysandthephilosophiccomposureofherbrotheronhearinghisfate,removedthechiefofevenEmma\'svexation.
Thedaycame,thepartywerepunctuallyassembled,andMr.JohnKnightleyseemedearlytodevotehimselftothebusinessofbeingagreeable.Insteadofdrawinghisbrotherofftoawindowwhiletheywaitedfordinner,hewastalkingtoMissFairfax.Mrs.Elton,aselegantaslaceandpearlscouldmakeher,helookedatinsilence-wantingonlytoobserveenoughforIsabella\'sinformation-butMissFairfaxwasanoldacquaintanceandaquietgirl,andhecouldtalktoher.Hehadmetherbeforebreakfastashewasreturningfromawalkwithhislittleboys,whenithadbeenjustbeginningtorain.Itwasnaturaltohavesomecivilhopesonthesubject,andhesaid,
`Ihopeyoudidnotventurefar,MissFairfax,thismorning,orIamsureyoumusthavebeenwet-Wescarcelygothomeintime.Ihopeyouturneddirectly.\'
`Iwentonlytothepost-office,\'saidshe,`andreachedhomebeforetherainwasmuch.Itismydailyerrand.IalwaysfetchtheletterswhenIamhere.Itsavestrouble,andisasomethingtogetmeout.Awalkbeforebreakfastdoesmegood.\'
`Notawalkintherain,Ishouldimagine.\'
`No,butitdidnotabsolutelyrainwhenIsetout.\'
Mr.JohnKnightleysmiled,andreplied,
`Thatistosay,youchosetohaveyourwalk,foryouwerenotsixyardsfromyourowndoorwhenIhadthepleasureofmeetingyou;andHenryandJohnhadseenmoredropsthantheycouldcountlongbefore.Thepost-officehasagreatcharmatoneperiodofourlives.Whenyouhavelivedtomyage,youwillbegintothinklettersareneverworthgoingthroughtherainfor.\'
Therewasalittleblush,andthenthisanswer,
`Imustnothopetobeeversituatedasyouare,inthemidstofeverydearestconnexion,andthereforeIcannotexpectthatsimplygrowingoldershouldmakemeindifferentaboutletters.\'
`Indifferent!Oh!no-Ineverconceivedyoucouldbecomeindifferent.Lettersarenomatterofindifference;theyaregenerallyaverypositivecurse.\'
`Youarespeakingoflettersofbusiness;minearelettersoffriendship.\'
`Ihaveoftenthoughtthemtheworstofthetwo,\'repliedhecoolly.`Business,youknow,maybringmoney,butfriendshiphardlyeverdoes.\'
`Ah!youarenotseriousnow.IknowMr.JohnKnightleytoowell-Iamverysureheunderstandsthevalueoffriendshipaswellasanybody.Icaneasilybelievethatlettersareverylittletoyou,muchlessthantome,butitisnotyourbeingtenyearsolderthanmyselfwhichmakesthedifference,itisnotage,butsituation.Youhaveeverybodydearesttoyoualwaysathand,I,probably,nevershallagain;andthereforetillIhaveoutlivedallmyaffections,apost-office,Ithink,mustalwayshavepowertodrawmeout,inworseweatherthanto-day.\'
`WhenItalkedofyourbeingalteredbytime,bytheprogressofyears,\'saidJohnKnightley,`Imeanttoimplythechangeofsituationwhichtimeusuallybrings.Iconsideroneasincludingtheother.Timewillgenerallylessentheinterestofeveryattachmentnotwithinthedailycircle-butthatisnotthechangeIhadinviewforyou.Asanoldfriend,youwillallowmetohope,MissFairfax,thattenyearshenceyoumayhaveasmanyconcentratedobjectsasIhave.\'
Itwaskindlysaid,andveryfarfromgivingoffence.Apleasant`thankyou\'seemedmeanttolaughitoff,butablush,aquiveringlip,atearintheeye,shewedthatitwasfeltbeyondalaugh.HerattentionwasnowclaimedbyMr.Woodhouse,whobeing,accordingtohiscustomonsuchoccasions,makingthecircleofhisguests,andpayinghisparticularcomplimentstotheladies,wasendingwithher-andwithallhismildesturbanity,said,
`Iamverysorrytohear,MissFairfax,ofyourbeingoutthismorningintherain.Youngladiesshouldtakecareofthemselves-Youngladiesaredelicateplants.Theyshouldtakecareoftheirhealthandtheircomplexion.Mydear,didyouchangeyourstockings?\'
`Yes,sir,Ididindeed;andIamverymuchobligedbyyourkindsolicitudeaboutme.\'
`MydearMissFairfax,youngladiesareverysuretobecaredfor-Ihopeyourgoodgrand-mamaandauntarewell.Theyaresomeofmyveryoldfriends.Iwishmyhealthallowedmetobeabetterneighbour.Youdousagreatdealofhonourto-day,Iamsure.MydaughterandIarebothhighlysensibleofyourgoodness,andhavethegreatestsatisfactioninseeingyouatHartfield.\'
Thekind-hearted,politeoldmanmightthensitdownandfeelthathehaddonehisduty,andmadeeveryfairladywelcomeandeasy.
Bythistime,thewalkintherainhadreachedMrs.Elton,andherremonstrancesnowopeneduponJane.
`MydearJane,whatisthisIhear?-Goingtothepost-officeintherain!-Thismustnotbe,Iassureyou-Yousadgirl,howcouldyoudosuchathing?-ItisasignIwasnottheretotakecareofyou.\'
Janeverypatientlyassuredherthatshehadnotcaughtanycold.
`Oh!donottellme.Youreallyareaverysadgirl,anddonotknowhowtotakecareofyourself-Tothepost-officeindeed!Mrs.Weston,didyoueverhearthelike?YouandImustpositivelyexertourauthority.\'
`Myadvice,\'saidMrs.Westonkindlyandpersuasively,`Icertainlydofeeltemptedtogive.MissFairfax,youmustnotrunsuchrisks-Liableasyouhavebeentoseverecolds,indeedyououghttobeparticularlycareful,especiallyatthistimeofyear.ThespringIalwaysthinkrequiresmorethancommoncare.Betterwaitanhourortwo,orevenhalfadayforyourletters,thanruntheriskofbringingonyourcoughagain.Nowdonotyoufeelthatyouhad?Yes,Iamsureyouaremuchtooreasonable.Youlookasifyouwouldnotdosuchathingagain.\'
`Oh!sheshallnotdosuchathingagain,\'eagerlyrejoinedMrs.Elton.`Wewillnotallowhertodosuchathingagain:\'-andnoddingsignificantly-`theremustbesomearrangementmade,theremustindeed.IshallspeaktoMr.E.Themanwhofetchesourletterseverymorningoneofourmen,Iforgethisnameshallinquireforyourstooandbringthemtoyou.Thatwillobviatealldifficultiesyouknow;andfromusIreallythink,mydearJane,youcanhavenoscrupletoacceptsuchanaccommodation.\'
`Youareextremelykind,\'saidJane;`butIcannotgiveupmyearlywalk.IamadvisedtobeoutofdoorsasmuchasIcan,Imustwalksomewhere,andthepost-officeisanobject;anduponmyword,Ihavescarcelyeverhadabadmorningbefore.\'
`MydearJane,saynomoreaboutit.Thethingisdetermined,thatislaughingaffectedlyasfarasIcanpresumetodetermineanythingwithouttheconcurrenceofmylordandmaster.Youknow,Mrs.Weston,youandImustbecautioushowweexpressourselves.ButIdoflattermyself,mydearJane,thatmyinfluenceisnotentirelywornout.IfImeetwithnoinsuperabledifficultiestherefore,considerthatpointassettled.\'
`Excuseme,\'saidJaneearnestly,`Icannotbyanymeansconsenttosuchanarrangement,soneedlesslytroublesometoyourservant.Iftheerrandwerenotapleasuretome,itcouldbedone,asitalwaysiswhenIamnothere,bymygrandmama\'s.\'
`Oh!mydear;butsomuchasPattyhastodo!-Anditisakindnesstoemployourmen.\'
Janelookedasifshedidnotmeantobeconquered;butinsteadofanswering,shebeganspeakingagaintoMr.JohnKnightley.
`Thepost-officeisawonderfulestablishment!\'saidshe-`Theregularityanddespatchofit!Ifonethinksofallthatithastodo,andallthatitdoessowell,itisreallyastonishing!\'
`Itiscertainlyverywellregulated.\'
`Soseldomthatanynegligenceorblunderappears!Soseldomthataletter,amongthethousandsthatareconstantlypassingaboutthekingdom,isevencarriedwrong-andnotoneinamillion,Isuppose,actuallylost!Andwhenoneconsidersthevarietyofhands,andofbadhandstoo,thataretobedeciphered,itincreasesthewonder.\'
`Theclerksgrowexpertfromhabit-Theymustbeginwithsomequicknessofsightandhand,andexerciseimprovesthem.Ifyouwantanyfartherexplanation,\'continuedhe,smiling,`theyarepaidforit.Thatisthekeytoagreatdealofcapacity.Thepublicpaysandmustbeservedwell.\'
Thevarietiesofhandwritingwerefarthertalkedof,andtheusualobservationsmade.
`Ihavehearditasserted,\'saidJohnKnightley,`thatthesamesortofhandwritingoftenprevailsinafamily;andwherethesamemasterteaches,itisnaturalenough.Butforthatreason,Ishouldimaginethelikenessmustbechieflyconfinedtothefemales,forboyshaveverylittleteachingafteranearlyage,andscrambleintoanyhandtheycanget.IsabellaandEmma,Ithink,dowriteverymuchalike.Ihavenotalwaysknowntheirwritingapart.\'
`Yes,\'saidhisbrotherhesitatingly,`thereisalikeness.Iknowwhatyoumean-butEmma\'shandisthestrongest.\'
`IsabellaandEmmabothwritebeautifully,\'saidMr.Woodhouse;`andalwaysdid.AndsodoespoorMrs.Weston\'-withhalfasighandhalfasmileather.
`Ineversawanygentleman\'shandwriting\'-Emmabegan,lookingalsoatMrs.Weston;butstopped,onperceivingthatMrs.Westonwasattendingtosomeoneelse-andthepausegavehertimetoreflect,`Now,howamIgoingtointroducehim?-AmIunequaltospeakinghisnameatoncebeforeallthesepeople?Isitnecessaryformetouseanyroundaboutphrase?-YourYorkshirefriend-yourcorrespondentinYorkshire;-thatwouldbetheway,Isuppose,ifIwereverybad-No,Icanpronouncehisnamewithoutthesmallestdistress.Icertainlygetbetterandbetter-Nowforit.\'
Mrs.WestonwasdisengagedandEmmabeganagain-`Mr.FrankChurchillwritesoneofthebestgentleman\'shandsIeversaw.\'
`Idonotadmireit,\'saidMr.Knightley.`Itistoosmall-wantsstrength.Itislikeawoman\'swriting.\'
Thiswasnotsubmittedtobyeitherlady.Theyvindicatedhimagainstthebaseaspersion.`No,itbynomeanswantedstrength-itwasnotalargehand,butveryclearandcertainlystrong.HadnotMrs.Westonanyletterabouthertoproduce?\'No,shehadheardfromhimverylately,buthavingansweredtheletter,hadputitaway.
`Ifwewereintheotherroom,\'saidEmma,`ifIhadmywriting-desk,IamsureIcouldproduceaspecimen.Ihaveanoteofhis-Donotyouremember,Mrs.Weston,employinghimtowriteforyouoneday?\'
`Hechosetosayhewasemployed\'-
`Well,well,Ihavethatnote;andcanshewitafterdinnertoconvinceMr.Knightley.\'
`Oh!whenagallantyoungman,likeMr.FrankChurchill,\'saidMr.Knightleydryly,`writestoafairladylikeMissWoodhouse,hewill,ofcourse,putforthhisbest.\'
Dinnerwasontable-Mrs.Elton,beforeshecouldbespokento,wasready;andbeforeMr.Woodhousehadreachedherwithhisrequesttobeallowedtohandherintothedining-parlour,wassaying-
`MustIgofirst?Ireallyamashamedofalwaysleadingtheway.\'
Jane\'ssolicitudeaboutfetchingherownlettershadnotescapedEmma.Shehadheardandseenitall;andfeltsomecuriositytoknowwhetherthewetwalkofthismorninghadproducedany.Shesuspectedthatithad;thatitwouldnothavebeensoresolutelyencounteredbutinfullexpectationofhearingfromsomeoneverydear,andthatithadnotbeeninvain.Shethoughttherewasanairofgreaterhappinessthanusual-aglowbothofcomplexionandspirits.
Shecouldhavemadeaninquiryortwo,astotheexpeditionandtheexpenseoftheIrishmails;-itwasathertongue\'send-butsheabstained.ShewasquitedeterminednottoutterawordthatshouldhurtJaneFairfax\'sfeelings;andtheyfollowedtheotherladiesoutoftheroom,arminarm,withanappearanceofgood-willhighlybecomingtothebeautyandgraceofeach.
CHAPTERXVII
Whentheladiesreturnedtothedrawing-roomafterdinner,Emmafoundithardlypossibletopreventtheirmakingtwodistinctparties;-withsomuchperseveranceinjudgingandbehavingilldidMrs.EltonengrossJaneFairfaxandslightherself.SheandMrs.Westonwereobligedtobealmostalwayseithertalkingtogetherorsilenttogether.Mrs.Eltonleftthemnochoice.IfJanerepressedherforalittletime,shesoonbeganagain;andthoughmuchthatpassedbetweenthemwasinahalf-whisper,especiallyonMrs.Elton\'sside,therewasnoavoidingaknowledgeoftheirprincipalsubjects:Thepost-office-catchingcold-fetchingletters-andfriendship,werelongunderdiscussion;andtothemsucceededone,whichmustbeatleastequallyunpleasanttoJane-inquirieswhethershehadyetheardofanysituationlikelytosuither,andprofessionsofMrs.Elton\'smeditatedactivity.
`HereisAprilcome!\'saidshe,`Igetquiteanxiousaboutyou.Junewillsoonbehere.\'
`ButIhaveneverfixedonJuneoranyothermonth-merelylookedforwardtothesummeringeneral.\'
`Buthaveyoureallyheardofnothing?\'
`Ihavenotevenmadeanyinquiry;Idonotwishtomakeanyyet.\'
`Oh!mydear,wecannotbegintooearly;youarenotawareofthedifficultyofprocuringexactlythedesirablething.\'
`Inotaware!\'saidJane,shakingherhead;`dearMrs.Elton,whocanhavethoughtofitasIhavedone?\'
`ButyouhavenotseensomuchoftheworldasIhave.Youdonotknowhowmanycandidatestherealwaysareforthefirstsituations.IsawavastdealofthatintheneighbourhoodroundMapleGrove.AcousinofMr.Suckling,Mrs.Bragge,hadsuchaninfinityofapplications;everybodywasanxioustobeinherfamily,forshemovesinthefirstcircle.Wax-candlesintheschoolroom!Youmayimaginehowdesirable!OfallhousesinthekingdomMrs.Bragge\'sistheoneIwouldmostwishtoseeyouin.\'
`ColonelandMrs.Campbellaretobeintownagainbymidsummer,\'saidJane.`Imustspendsometimewiththem;Iamsuretheywillwantit;-afterwardsImayprobablybegladtodisposeofmyself.ButIwouldnotwishyoutotakethetroubleofmakinganyinquiriesatpresent.\'
`Trouble!aye,Iknowyourscruples.Youareafraidofgivingmetrouble;butIassureyou,mydearJane,theCampbellscanhardlybemoreinterestedaboutyouthanIam.IshallwritetoMrs.Partridgeinadayortwo,andshallgiveherastrictchargetobeonthelook-outforanythingeligible.\'
`Thankyou,butIwouldratheryoudidnotmentionthesubjecttoher;tillthetimedrawsnearer,Idonotwishtobegivinganybodytrouble.\'
`But,mydearchild,thetimeisdrawingnear;hereisApril,andJune,orsayevenJuly,isverynear,withsuchbusinesstoaccomplishbeforeus.Yourinexperiencereallyamusesme!Asituationsuchasyoudeserve,andyourfriendswouldrequireforyou,isnoeverydayoccurrence,isnotobtainedatamoment\'snotice;indeed,indeed,wemustbegininquiringdirectly.\'
`Excuseme,ma\'am,butthisisbynomeansmyintention;Imakenoinquirymyself,andshouldbesorrytohaveanymadebymyfriends.WhenIamquitedeterminedastothetime,Iamnotatallafraidofbeinglongunemployed.Thereareplacesintown,offices,whereinquirywouldsoonproducesomething-Officesforthesale-notquiteofhumanflesh-butofhumanintellect.\'
`Oh!mydear,humanflesh!Youquiteshockme;ifyoumeanaflingattheslave-trade,IassureyouMr.Sucklingwasalwaysratherafriendtotheabolition.\'
`Ididnotmean,Iwasnotthinkingoftheslave-trade,\'repliedJane;`governess-trade,Iassureyou,wasallthatIhadinview;widelydifferentcertainlyastotheguiltofthosewhocarryiton;butastothegreatermiseryofthevictims,Idonotknowwhereitlies.ButIonlymeantosaythatthereareadvertisingoffices,andthatbyapplyingtothemIshouldhavenodoubtofverysoonmeetingwithsomethingthatwoulddo.\'
`Somethingthatwoulddo!\'repeatedMrs.Elton.`Aye,thatmaysuityourhumbleideasofyourself;-Iknowwhatamodestcreatureyouare;butitwillnotsatisfyyourfriendstohaveyoutakingupwithanythingthatmayoffer,anyinferior,commonplacesituation,inafamilynotmovinginacertaincircle,orabletocommandtheeleganciesoflife.\'
`Youareveryobliging;butastoallthat,Iamveryindifferent;itwouldbenoobjecttometobewiththerich;mymortifications,Ithink,wouldonlybethegreater;Ishouldsuffermorefromcomparison.Agentleman\'sfamilyisallthatIshouldconditionfor.\'
`Iknowyou,Iknowyou;youwouldtakeupwithanything;butIshallbealittlemorenice,andIamsurethegoodCampbellswillbequiteonmyside;withyoursuperiortalents,youhavearighttomoveinthefirstcircle.Yourmusicalknowledgealonewouldentitleyoutonameyourownterms,haveasmanyroomsasyoulike,andmixinthefamilyasmuchasyouchose;-thatis-Idonotknow-ifyouknewtheharp,youmightdoallthat,Iamverysure;butyousingaswellasplay;-yes,Ireallybelieveyoumight,evenwithouttheharp,stipulateforwhatyouchose;-andyoumustandshallbedelightfully,honourablyandcomfortablysettledbeforetheCampbellsorIhaveanyrest.\'
`Youmaywellclassthedelight,thehonour,andthecomfortofsuchasituationtogether,\'saidJane,`theyareprettysuretobeequal;however,Iamveryseriousinnotwishinganythingtobeattemptedatpresentforme.Iamexceedinglyobligedtoyou,Mrs.Elton,Iamobligedtoanybodywhofeelsforme,butIamquiteseriousinwishingnothingtobedonetillthesummer.FortwoorthreemonthslongerIshallremainwhereIam,andasIam.\'
`AndIamquiteserioustoo,Iassureyou,\'repliedMrs.Eltongaily,`inresolvingtobealwaysonthewatch,andemployingmyfriendstowatchalso,thatnothingreallyunexceptionablemaypassus.\'
Inthisstylesheranon;neverthoroughlystoppedbyanythingtillMr.Woodhousecameintotheroom;hervanityhadthenachangeofobject,andEmmaheardhersayinginthesamehalf-whispertoJane,
`Herecomesthisdearoldbeauofmine,Iprotest!-Onlythinkofhisgallantryincomingawaybeforetheothermen!-whatadearcreatureheis;-IassureyouIlikehimexcessively.Iadmireallthatquaint,old-fashionedpoliteness;itismuchmoretomytastethanmodernease;moderneaseoftendisgustsme.ButthisgoodoldMr.Woodhouse,Iwishyouhadheardhisgallantspeechestomeatdinner.Oh!IassureyouIbegantothinkmycarosposowouldbeabsolutelyjealous.IfancyIamratherafavourite;hetooknoticeofmygown.Howdoyoulikeit?-Selina\'schoice-handsome,Ithink,butIdonotknowwhetheritisnotover-trimmed;Ihavethegreatestdisliketotheideaofbeingover-trimmed-quiteahorroroffinery.Imustputonafewornamentsnow,becauseitisexpectedofme.Abride,youknow,mustappearlikeabride,butmynaturaltasteisallforsimplicity;asimplestyleofdressissoinfinitelypreferabletofinery.ButIamquiteintheminority,Ibelieve;fewpeopleseemtovaluesimplicityofdress,-showandfineryareeverything.Ihavesomenotionofputtingsuchatrimmingasthistomywhiteandsilverpoplin.Doyouthinkitwilllookwell?\'
Thewholepartywerebutjustreassembledinthedrawing-roomwhenMr.Westonmadehisappearanceamongthem.Hehadreturnedtoalatedinner,andwalkedtoHartfieldassoonasitwasover.Hehadbeentoomuchexpectedbythebestjudges,forsurprize-buttherewasgreatjoy.Mr.Woodhousewasalmostasgladtoseehimnow,ashewouldhavebeensorrytoseehimbefore.JohnKnightleyonlywasinmuteastonishment-ThatamanwhomighthavespenthiseveningquietlyathomeafteradayofbusinessinLondon,shouldsetoffagain,andwalkhalfamiletoanotherman\'shouse,forthesakeofbeinginmixedcompanytillbed-time,offinishinghisdayintheeffortsofcivilityandthenoiseofnumbers,wasacircumstancetostrikehimdeeply.Amanwhohadbeeninmotionsinceeighto\'clockinthemorning,andmightnowhavebeenstill,whohadbeenlongtalking,andmighthavebeensilent,whohadbeeninmorethanonecrowd,andmighthavebeenalone!-Suchaman,toquitthetranquillityandindependenceofhisownfireside,andontheeveningofacoldsleetyAprildayrushoutagainintotheworld!-Couldhebyatouchofhisfingerhaveinstantlytakenbackhiswife,therewouldhavebeenamotive;buthiscomingwouldprobablyprolongratherthanbreakuptheparty.JohnKnightleylookedathimwithamazement,thenshruggedhisshoulders,andsaid,`Icouldnothavebelieveditevenofhim.\'
Mr.Westonmeanwhile,perfectlyunsuspiciousoftheindignationhewasexciting,happyandcheerfulasusual,andwithalltherightofbeingprincipaltalker,whichadayspentanywherefromhomeconfers,wasmakinghimselfagreeableamongtherest;andhavingsatisfiedtheinquiriesofhiswifeastohisdinner,convincingherthatnoneofallhercarefuldirectionstotheservantshadbeenforgotten,andspreadabroadwhatpublicnewshehadheard,wasproceedingtoafamilycommunication,which,thoughprincipallyaddressedtoMrs.Weston,hehadnotthesmallestdoubtofbeinghighlyinterestingtoeverybodyintheroom.Hegaveheraletter,itwasfromFrank,andtoherself;hehadmetwithitinhisway,andhadtakenthelibertyofopeningit.
`Readit,readit,\'saidhe,`itwillgiveyoupleasure;onlyafewlines-willnottakeyoulong;readittoEmma.\'
Thetwoladieslookedoverittogether;andhesatsmilingandtalkingtothemthewholetime,inavoicealittlesubdued,butveryaudibletoeverybody.
`Well,heiscoming,yousee;goodnews,Ithink.Well,whatdoyousaytoit?-Ialwaystoldyouhewouldbehereagainsoon,didnotI?-Anne,mydear,didnotIalwaystellyouso,andyouwouldnotbelieveme?-Intownnextweek,yousee-atthelatest,Idaresay;forsheisasimpatientastheblackgentlemanwhenanythingistobedone;mostlikelytheywillbethereto-morroworSaturday.Astoherillness,allnothingofcourse.ButitisanexcellentthingtohaveFrankamongusagain,sonearastown.Theywillstayagoodwhilewhentheydocome,andhewillbehalfhistimewithus.ThisispreciselywhatIwanted.Well,prettygoodnews,isnotit?Haveyoufinishedit?HasEmmareaditall?Putitup,putitup;wewillhaveagoodtalkaboutitsomeothertime,butitwillnotdonow.Ishallonlyjustmentionthecircumstancetotheothersinacommonway.\'
Mrs.Westonwasmostcomfortablypleasedontheoccasion.Herlooksandwordshadnothingtorestrainthem.Shewashappy,sheknewshewashappy,andknewsheoughttobehappy.Hercongratulationswerewarmandopen;butEmmacouldnotspeaksofluently.Shewasalittleoccupiedinweighingherownfeelings,andtryingtounderstandthedegreeofheragitation,whichsheratherthoughtwasconsiderable.
Mr.Weston,however,tooeagertobeveryobservant,toocommunicativetowantotherstotalk,wasverywellsatisfiedwithwhatshedidsay,andsoonmovedawaytomaketherestofhisfriendshappybyapartialcommunicationofwhatthewholeroommusthaveoverheardalready.
Itwaswellthathetookeverybody\'sjoyforgranted,orhemightnothavethoughteitherMr.WoodhouseorMr.Knightleyparticularlydelighted.Theywerethefirstentitled,afterMrs.WestonandEmma,tobemadehappy;-fromthemhewouldhaveproceededtoMissFairfax,butshewassodeepinconversationwithJohnKnightley,thatitwouldhavebeentoopositiveaninterruption;andfindinghimselfclosetoMrs.Elton,andherattentiondisengaged,henecessarilybeganonthesubjectwithher.
CHAPTERXVIII
`IhopeIshallsoonhavethepleasureofintroducingmysontoyou,\'saidMr.Weston.
Mrs.Elton,verywillingtosupposeaparticularcomplimentintendedherbysuchahope,smiledmostgraciously.
`YouhaveheardofacertainFrankChurchill,Ipresume,\'hecontinued-`andknowhimtobemyson,thoughhedoesnotbearmyname.\'
`Oh!yes,andIshallbeveryhappyinhisacquaintance.IamsureMr.Eltonwilllosenotimeincallingonhim;andweshallbothhavegreatpleasureinseeinghimattheVicarage.\'
`Youareveryobliging-Frankwillbeextremelyhappy,Iamsure-Heistobeintownnextweek,ifnotsooner.Wehavenoticeofitinaletterto-day.Imetthelettersinmywaythismorning,andseeingmyson\'shand,presumedtoopenit-thoughitwasnotdirectedtome-itwastoMrs.Weston.Sheishisprincipalcorrespondent,Iassureyou.Ihardlyevergetaletter.\'