`Andsoyouabsolutelyopenedwhatwasdirectedtoher!Oh!Mr.Weston-laughingaffectedlyImustprotestagainstthat-Amostdangerousprecedentindeed!-Ibegyouwillnotletyourneighboursfollowyourexample-Uponmyword,ifthisiswhatIamtoexpect,wemarriedwomenmustbegintoexertourselves!-Oh!Mr.Weston,Icouldnothavebelieveditofyou!\'
`Aye,wemenaresadfellows.Youmusttakecareofyourself,Mrs.Elton-Thislettertellsus-itisashortletter-writteninahurry,merelytogiveusnotice-ittellsusthattheyareallcominguptotowndirectly,onMrs.Churchill\'saccount-shehasnotbeenwellthewholewinter,andthinksEnscombetoocoldforher-sotheyarealltomovesouthwardwithoutlossoftime.\'
`Indeed!-fromYorkshire,Ithink.EnscombeisinYorkshire?\'
`Yes,theyareaboutonehundredandninetymilesfromLondon.aconsiderablejourney.\'
`Yes,uponmyword,veryconsiderable.Sixty-fivemilesfartherthanfromMapleGrovetoLondon.Butwhatisdistance,Mr.Weston,topeopleoflargefortune?-Youwouldbeamazedtohearhowmybrother,Mr.Suckling,sometimesfliesabout.Youwillhardlybelieveme-buttwiceinoneweekheandMr.BraggewenttoLondonandbackagainwithfourhorses.\'
`TheevilofthedistancefromEnscombe,\'saidMr.Weston,`is,thatMrs.Churchill,asweunderstand,hasnotbeenabletoleavethesofaforaweektogether.InFrank\'slastlettershecomplained,hesaid,ofbeingtooweaktogetintoherconservatorywithouthavingbothhisarmandhisuncle\'s!This,youknow,speaksagreatdegreeofweakness-butnowsheissoimpatienttobeintown,thatshemeanstosleeponlytwonightsontheroad-SoFrankwritesword.Certainly,delicateladieshaveveryextraordinaryconstitutions,Mrs.Elton.Youmustgrantmethat.\'
`No,indeed,Ishallgrantyounothing.IAlwaystakethepartofmyownsex.Idoindeed.Igiveyounotice-Youwillfindmeaformidableantagonistonthatpoint.Ialwaysstandupforwomen-andIassureyou,ifyouknewhowSelinafeelswithrespecttosleepingataninn,youwouldnotwonderatMrs.Churchill\'smakingincredibleexertionstoavoidit.Selinasaysitisquitehorrortoher-andIbelieveIhavecaughtalittleofhernicety.Shealwaystravelswithherownsheets;anexcellentprecaution.DoesMrs.Churchilldothesame?\'
`Dependuponit,Mrs.Churchilldoeseverythingthatanyotherfineladyeverdid.Mrs.Churchillwillnotbesecondtoanyladyinthelandfor\'-
Mrs.Eltoneagerlyinterposedwith,
`Oh!Mr.Weston,donotmistakeme.Selinaisnofinelady,Iassureyou.Donotrunawaywithsuchanidea.\'
`Isnotshe?ThensheisnoruleforMrs.Churchill,whoisasthoroughafineladyasanybodyeverbeheld.\'
Mrs.Eltonbegantothinkshehadbeenwrongindisclaimingsowarmly.Itwasbynomeansherobjecttohaveitbelievedthathersisterwasnotafinelady;perhapstherewaswantofspiritinthepretenceofit;-andshewasconsideringinwhatwayshehadbestretract,whenMr.Westonwenton.
`Mrs.Churchillisnotmuchinmygoodgraces,asyoumaysuspect-butthisisquitebetweenourselves.SheisveryfondofFrank,andthereforeIwouldnotspeakillofher.Besides,sheisoutofhealthnow;butthatindeed,byherownaccount,shehasalwaysbeen.Iwouldnotsaysotoeverybody,Mrs.Elton,butIhavenotmuchfaithinMrs.Churchill\'sillness.\'
`Ifsheisreallyill,whynotgotoBath,Mr.Weston?-ToBath,ortoClifton?\'`ShehastakenitintoherheadthatEnscombeistoocoldforher.Thefactis,Isuppose,thatsheistiredofEnscombe.Shehasnowbeenalongertimestationarythere,thansheeverwasbefore,andshebeginstowantchange.Itisaretiredplace.Afineplace,butveryretired.\'
`Aye-likeMapleGrove,Idaresay.NothingcanstandmoreretiredfromtheroadthanMapleGrove.Suchanimmenseplantationallroundit!Youseemshutoutfromeverything-inthemostcompleteretirement-AndMrs.ChurchillprobablyhasnothealthorspiritslikeSelinatoenjoythatsortofseclusion.Or,perhapsshemaynothaveresourcesenoughinherselftobequalifiedforacountrylife.Ialwayssayawomancannothavetoomanyresources-andIfeelverythankfulthatIhavesomanymyselfastobequiteindependentofsociety.\'
`FrankwashereinFebruaryforafortnight.\'
`SoIremembertohaveheard.HewillfindanadditiontothesocietyofHighburywhenhecomesagain;thatis,ifImaypresumetocallmyselfanaddition.Butperhapshemayneverhaveheardoftherebeingsuchacreatureintheworld.\'
Thiswastooloudacallforacomplimenttobepassedby,andMr.Weston,withaverygoodgrace,immediatelyexclaimed,
`Mydearmadam!Nobodybutyourselfcouldimaginesuchathingpossible.Notheardofyou!-IbelieveMrs.Weston\'sletterslatelyhavebeenfullofverylittleelsethanMrs.Elton.\'
Hehaddonehisdutyandcouldreturntohisson.
`WhenFrankleftus,\'continuedhe,`itwasquiteuncertainwhenwemightseehimagain,whichmakesthisday\'snewsdoublywelcome.Ithasbeencompletelyunexpected.Thatis,Ialwayshadastrongpersuasionhewouldbehereagainsoon,Iwassuresomethingfavourablewouldturnup-butnobodybelievedme.HeandMrs.Westonwerebothdreadfullydesponding.``Howcouldhecontrivetocome?Andhowcoulditbesupposedthathisuncleandauntwouldsparehimagain?\'\'andsoforth-Ialwaysfeltthatsomethingwouldhappeninourfavour;andsoithas,yousee.Ihaveobserved,Mrs.Elton,inthecourseofmylife,thatifthingsaregoinguntowardlyonemonth,theyaresuretomendthenext.\'
`Verytrue,Mr.Weston,perfectlytrue.ItisjustwhatIusedtosaytoacertaingentlemanincompanyinthedaysofcourtship,when,becausethingsdidnotgoquiteright,didnotproceedwithalltherapiditywhichsuitedhisfeelings,hewasapttobeindespair,andexclaimthathewassureatthisrateitwouldbeMaybeforeHymen\'ssaffronrobewouldbeputonforus.Oh!thepainsIhavebeenattodispelthosegloomyideasandgivehimcheerfullerviews!Thecarriage-wehaddisappointmentsaboutthecarriage;-onemorning,Iremember,hecametomequiteindespair.\'
Shewasstoppedbyaslightfitofcoughing,andMr.Westoninstantlyseizedtheopportunityofgoingon.
`YouwerementioningMay.MayistheverymonthwhichMrs.Churchillisordered,orhasorderedherself,tospendinsomewarmerplacethanEnscombe-inshort,tospendinLondon;sothatwehavetheagreeableprospectoffrequentvisitsfromFrankthewholespring-preciselytheseasonoftheyearwhichoneshouldhavechosenforit:daysalmostatthelongest;weathergenialandpleasant,alwaysinvitingoneout,andnevertoohotforexercise.Whenhewasherebefore,wemadethebestofit;buttherewasagooddealofwet,damp,cheerlessweather;therealwaysisinFebruary,youknow,andwecouldnotdohalfthatweintended.Nowwillbethetime.Thiswillbecompleteenjoyment;andIdonotknow,Mrs.Elton,whethertheuncertaintyofourmeetings,thesortofconstantexpectationtherewillbeofhiscominginto-dayorto-morrow,andatanyhour,maynotbemorefriendlytohappinessthanhavinghimactuallyinthehouse.Ithinkitisso.Ithinkitisthestateofmindwhichgivesmostspiritanddelight.Ihopeyouwillbepleasedwithmyson;butyoumustnotexpectaprodigy.Heisgenerallythoughtafineyoungman,butdonotexpectaprodigy.Mrs.Weston\'spartialityforhimisverygreat,and,asyoumaysuppose,mostgratifyingtome.Shethinksnobodyequaltohim.\'
`AndIassureyou,Mr.Weston,Ihaveverylittledoubtthatmyopinionwillbedecidedlyinhisfavour.IhaveheardsomuchinpraiseofMr.FrankChurchill-Atthesametimeitisfairtoobserve,thatIamoneofthosewhoalwaysjudgeforthemselves,andarebynomeansimplicitlyguidedbyothers.IgiveyounoticethatasIfindyourson,soIshalljudgeofhim-Iamnoflatterer.\'
Mr.Westonwasmusing.
`Ihope,\'saidhepresently,`IhavenotbeensevereuponpoorMrs.Churchill.IfsheisillIshouldbesorrytodoherinjustice;buttherearesometraitsinhercharacterwhichmakeitdifficultformetospeakofherwiththeforbearanceIcouldwish.Youcannotbeignorant,Mrs.Elton,ofmyconnexionwiththefamily,norofthetreatmentIhavemetwith;and,betweenourselves,thewholeblameofitistobelaidtoher.Shewastheinstigator.Frank\'smotherwouldneverhavebeenslightedasshewasbutforher.Mr.Churchillhaspride;buthisprideisnothingtohiswife\'s:hisisaquiet,indolent,gentlemanlikesortofpridethatwouldharmnobody,andonlymakehimselfalittlehelplessandtiresome;butherprideisarroganceandinsolence!Andwhatinclinesonelesstobear,shehasnofairpretenceoffamilyorblood.Shewasnobodywhenhemarriedher,barelythedaughterofagentleman;buteversinceherbeingturnedintoaChurchillshehasout-Churchill\'dthemallinhighandmightyclaims:butinherself,Iassureyou,sheisanupstart.\'
`Onlythink!well,thatmustbeinfinitelyprovoking!Ihavequiteahorrorofupstarts.MapleGrovehasgivenmeathoroughdisgusttopeopleofthatsort;forthereisafamilyinthatneighbourhoodwhoaresuchanannoyancetomybrotherandsisterfromtheairstheygivethemselves!YourdescriptionofMrs.Churchillmademethinkofthemdirectly.PeopleofthenameofTupman,verylatelysettledthere,andencumberedwithmanylowconnexions,butgivingthemselvesimmenseairs,andexpectingtobeonafootingwiththeoldestablishedfamilies.AyearandahalfistheveryutmostthattheycanhavelivedatWestHall;andhowtheygottheirfortunenobodyknows.TheycamefromBirmingham,whichisnotaplacetopromisemuch,youknow,Mr.Weston.OnehasnotgreathopesfromBirmingham.Ialwayssaythereissomethingdirefulinthesound:butnothingmoreispositivelyknownoftheTupmans,thoughagoodmanythingsIassureyouaresuspected;andyetbytheirmannerstheyevidentlythinkthemselvesequaleventomybrother,Mr.Suckling,whohappenstobeoneoftheirnearestneighbours.Itisinfinitelytoobad.Mr.Suckling,whohasbeenelevenyearsaresidentatMapleGrove,andwhosefatherhaditbeforehim-Ibelieve,atleast-IamalmostsurethatoldMr.Sucklinghadcompletedthepurchasebeforehisdeath.\'
Theywereinterrupted.Teawascarryinground,andMr.Weston,havingsaidallthathewanted,soontooktheopportunityofwalkingaway.
Aftertea,Mr.andMrs.Weston,andMr.EltonsatdownwithMr.Woodhousetocards.Theremainingfivewerelefttotheirownpowers,andEmmadoubtedtheirgettingonverywell;forMr.Knightleyseemedlittledisposedforconversation;Mrs.Eltonwaswantingnotice,whichnobodyhadinclinationtopay,andshewasherselfinaworryofspiritswhichwouldhavemadeherpreferbeingsilent.
Mr.JohnKnightleyprovedmoretalkativethanhisbrother.Hewastoleavethemearlythenextday;andhesoonbeganwith-
`Well,Emma,IdonotbelieveIhaveanythingmoretosayabouttheboys;butyouhaveyoursister\'sletter,andeverythingisdownatfulllengththerewemaybesure.Mychargewouldbemuchmoreconcisethanher\'s,andprobablynotmuchinthesamespirit;allthatIhavetorecommendbeingcomprisedin,donotspoilthem,anddonotphysicthem.\'
`Iratherhopetosatisfyyouboth,\'saidEmma,`forIshalldoallinmypowertomakethemhappy,whichwillbeenoughforIsabella;andhappinessmustprecludefalseindulgenceandphysic.\'
`Andifyoufindthemtroublesome,youmustsendthemhomeagain.\'
`Thatisverylikely.Youthinkso,donotyou?\'
`IhopeIamawarethattheymaybetoonoisyforyourfather-orevenmaybesomeencumbrancetoyou,ifyourvisitingengagementscontinuetoincreaseasmuchastheyhavedonelately.\'
`Increase!\'
`Certainly;youmustbesensiblethatthelasthalf-yearhasmadeagreatdifferenceinyourwayoflife.\'
`Difference!NoindeedIamnot.\'
`Therecanbenodoubtofyourbeingmuchmoreengagedwithcompanythanyouusedtobe.Witnessthisverytime.HereamIcomedownforonlyoneday,andyouareengagedwithadinner-party!-Whendidithappenbefore,oranythinglikeit?Yourneighbourhoodisincreasing,andyoumixmorewithit.Alittlewhileago,everylettertoIsabellabroughtanaccountoffreshgaieties;dinnersatMr.Cole\'s,orballsattheCrown.ThedifferencewhichRandalls,Randallsalonemakesinyourgoings-on,isverygreat.\'
`Yes,\'saidhisbrotherquickly,`itisRandallsthatdoesitall.\'
`Verywell-andasRandalls,Isuppose,isnotlikelytohavelessinfluencethanheretofore,itstrikesmeasapossiblething,Emma,thatHenryandJohnmaybesometimesintheway.Andiftheyare,Ionlybegyoutosendthemhome.\'
`No,\'criedMr.Knightley,`thatneednotbetheconsequence.LetthembesenttoDonwell.Ishallcertainlybeatleisure.\'
`Uponmyword,\'exclaimedEmma,`youamuseme!Ishouldliketoknowhowmanyofallmynumerousengagementstakeplacewithoutyourbeingoftheparty;andwhyIamtobesupposedindangerofwantingleisuretoattendtothelittleboys.Theseamazingengagementsofmine-whathavetheybeen?DiningoncewiththeColes-andhavingaballtalkedof,whichnevertookplace.Icanunderstandyou-noddingatMr.JohnKnightley-yourgoodfortuneinmeetingwithsomanyofyourfriendsatoncehere,delightsyoutoomuchtopassunnoticed.Butyou,turningtoMr.Knightley,whoknowhowvery,veryseldomIamevertwohoursfromHartfield,whyyoushouldforeseesuchaseriesofdissipationforme,Icannotimagine.Andastomydearlittleboys,Imustsay,thatifAuntEmmahasnottimeforthem,IdonotthinktheywouldfaremuchbetterwithUncleKnightley,whoisabsentfromhomeaboutfivehourswheresheisabsentone-andwho,whenheisathome,iseitherreadingtohimselforsettlinghisaccounts.\'
Mr.Knightleyseemedtobetryingnottosmile;andsucceededwithoutdifficulty,uponMrs.Elton\'sbeginningtotalktohim.
VOLUMEIII
CHAPTERI
AverylittlequietreflectionwasenoughtosatisfyEmmaastothenatureofheragitationonhearingthisnewsofFrankChurchill.Shewassoonconvincedthatitwasnotforherselfshewasfeelingatallapprehensiveorembarrassed;itwasforhim.Herownattachmenthadreallysubsidedintoamerenothing;itwasnotworththinkingof;-butifhe,whohadundoubtedlybeenalwayssomuchthemostinloveofthetwo,weretobereturningwiththesamewarmthofsentimentwhichhehadtakenaway,itwouldbeverydistressing.Ifaseparationoftwomonthsshouldnothavecooledhim,thereweredangersandevilsbeforeher:-cautionforhimandforherselfwouldbenecessary.Shedidnotmeantohaveherownaffectionsentangledagain,anditwouldbeincumbentonhertoavoidanyencouragementofhis.
Shewishedshemightbeabletokeephimfromanabsolutedeclaration.Thatwouldbesoverypainfulaconclusionoftheirpresentacquaintance!andyet,shecouldnothelpratheranticipatingsomethingdecisive.Shefeltasifthespringwouldnotpasswithoutbringingacrisis,anevent,asomethingtoalterherpresentcomposedandtranquilstate.
Itwasnotverylong,thoughratherlongerthanMr.Westonhadforeseen,beforeshehadthepowerofformingsomeopinionofFrankChurchill\'sfeelings.TheEnscombefamilywerenotintownquitesosoonashadbeenimagined,buthewasatHighburyverysoonafterwards.Herodedownforacoupleofhours;hecouldnotyetdomore;butashecamefromRandallsimmediatelytoHartfield,shecouldthenexerciseallherquickobservation,andspeedilydeterminehowhewasinfluenced,andhowshemustact.Theymetwiththeutmostfriendliness.Therecouldbenodoubtofhisgreatpleasureinseeingher.Butshehadanalmostinstantdoubtofhiscaringforherashehaddone,ofhisfeelingthesametendernessinthesamedegree.Shewatchedhimwell.Itwasaclearthinghewaslessinlovethanhehadbeen.Absence,withtheconvictionprobablyofherindifference,hadproducedthisverynaturalandverydesirableeffect.
Hewasinhighspirits;asreadytotalkandlaughasever,andseemeddelightedtospeakofhisformervisit,andrecurtooldstories:andhewasnotwithoutagitation.Itwasnotinhiscalmnessthatshereadhiscomparativedifference.Hewasnotcalm;hisspiritswereevidentlyfluttered;therewasrestlessnessabouthim.Livelyashewas,itseemedalivelinessthatdidnotsatisfyhimself;butwhatdecidedherbeliefonthesubject,washisstayingonlyaquarterofanhour,andhurryingawaytomakeothercallsinHighbury.`Hehadseenagroupofoldacquaintanceinthestreetashepassed-hehadnotstopped,hewouldnotstopformorethanaword-buthehadthevanitytothinktheywouldbedisappointedifhedidnotcall,andmuchashewishedtostaylongeratHartfield,hemusthurryoff.\'Shehadnodoubtastohisbeinglessinlove-butneitherhisagitatedspirits,norhishurryingaway,seemedlikeaperfectcure;andshewasratherinclinedtothinkitimpliedadreadofherreturningpower,andadiscreetresolutionofnottrustinghimselfwithherlong.
ThiswastheonlyvisitfromFrankChurchillinthecourseoftendays.Hewasoftenhoping,intendingtocome-butwasalwaysprevented.Hisauntcouldnotbeartohavehimleaveher.SuchwashisownaccountatRandall\'s.Ifhewerequitesincere,ifhereallytriedtocome,itwastobeinferredthatMrs.Churchill\'sremovaltoLondonhadbeenofnoservicetothewilfulornervouspartofherdisorder.Thatshewasreallyillwasverycertain;hehaddeclaredhimselfconvincedofit,atRandalls.Thoughmuchmightbefancy,hecouldnotdoubt,whenhelookedback,thatshewasinaweakerstateofhealththanshehadbeenhalfayearago.Hedidnotbelieveittoproceedfromanythingthatcareandmedicinemightnotremove,oratleastthatshemightnothavemanyyearsofexistencebeforeher;buthecouldnotbeprevailedon,byallhisfather\'sdoubts,tosaythathercomplaintsweremerelyimaginary,orthatshewasasstrongasever.
ItsoonappearedthatLondonwasnottheplaceforher.Shecouldnotendureitsnoise.Hernerveswereundercontinualirritationandsuffering;andbythetendays\'end,hernephew\'slettertoRandallscommunicatedachangeofplan.TheyweregoingtoremoveimmediatelytoRichmond.Mrs.Churchillhadbeenrecommendedtothemedicalskillofaneminentpersonthere,andhadotherwiseafancyfortheplace.Aready-furnishedhouseinafavouritespotwasengaged,andmuchbenefitexpectedfromthechange.
EmmaheardthatFrankwroteinthehighestspiritsofthisarrangement,andseemedmostfullytoappreciatetheblessingofhavingtwomonthsbeforehimofsuchnearneighbourhoodtomanydearfriends-forthehousewastakenforMayandJune.Shewastoldthatnowhewrotewiththegreatestconfidenceofbeingoftenwiththem,almostasoftenashecouldevenwish.
EmmasawhowMr.Westonunderstoodthesejoyousprospects.Hewasconsideringherasthesourceofallthehappinesstheyoffered.Shehopeditwasnotso.Twomonthsmustbringittotheproof.
Mr.Weston\'sownhappinesswasindisputable.Hewasquitedelighted.Itwastheverycircumstancehecouldhavewishedfor.Now,itwouldbereallyhavingFrankintheirneighbourhood.Whatwereninemilestoayoungman?-Anhour\'sride.Hewouldbealwayscomingover.ThedifferenceinthatrespectofRichmondandLondonwasenoughtomakethewholedifferenceofseeinghimalwaysandseeinghimnever.Sixteenmiles-nay,eighteen-itmustbefulleighteentoManchester-street-wasaseriousobstacle.Wereheeverabletogetaway,thedaywouldbespentincomingandreturning.TherewasnocomfortinhavinghiminLondon;hemightaswellbeatEnscombe;butRichmondwastheverydistanceforeasyintercourse.Betterthannearer!
Onegoodthingwasimmediatelybroughttoacertaintybythisremoval,-theballattheCrown.Ithadnotbeenforgottenbefore,butithadbeensoonacknowledgedvaintoattempttofixaday.Now,however,itwasabsolutelytobe;everypreparationwasresumed,andverysoonaftertheChurchillshadremovedtoRichmond,afewlinesfromFrank,tosaythathisauntfeltalreadymuchbetterforthechange,andthathehadnodoubtofbeingabletojointhemfortwenty-fourhoursatanygiventime,inducedthemtonameasearlyadayaspossible.
Mr.Weston\'sballwastobearealthing.Averyfewto-morrowsstoodbetweentheyoungpeopleofHighburyandhappiness.
Mr.Woodhousewasresigned.Thetimeofyearlightenedtheeviltohim.MaywasbetterforeverythingthanFebruary.Mrs.BateswasengagedtospendtheeveningatHartfield,Jameshadduenotice,andhesanguinelyhopedthatneitherdearlittleHenrynordearlittleJohnwouldhaveanythingthematterwiththem,whiledearEmmaweregone.
CHAPTERII
Nomisfortuneoccurred,againtopreventtheball.Thedayapproached,thedayarrived;andafteramorningofsomeanxiouswatching,FrankChurchill,inallthecertaintyofhisownself,reachedRandallsbeforedinner,andeverythingwassafe.
NosecondmeetinghadthereyetbeenbetweenhimandEmma.TheroomattheCrownwastowitnessit;-butitwouldbebetterthanacommonmeetinginacrowd.Mr.Westonhadbeensoveryearnestinhisentreatiesforherarrivingthereassoonaspossibleafterthemselves,forthepurposeoftakingheropinionastotheproprietyandcomfortoftheroomsbeforeanyotherpersonscame,thatshecouldnotrefusehim,andmustthereforespendsomequietintervalintheyoungman\'scompany.ShewastoconveyHarriet,andtheydrovetotheCrowningoodtime,theRandallspartyjustsufficientlybeforethem.
FrankChurchillseemedtohavebeenonthewatch;andthoughhedidnotsaymuch,hiseyesdeclaredthathemeanttohaveadelightfulevening.Theyallwalkedabouttogether,toseethateverythingwasasitshouldbe;andwithinafewminuteswerejoinedbythecontentsofanothercarriage,whichEmmacouldnothearthesoundofatfirst,withoutgreatsurprize.`Sounreasonablyearly!\'shewasgoingtoexclaim;butshepresentlyfoundthatitwasafamilyofoldfriends,whowerecoming,likeherself,byparticulardesire,tohelpMr.Weston\'sjudgment;andtheyweresoverycloselyfollowedbyanothercarriageofcousins,whohadbeenentreatedtocomeearlywiththesamedistinguishingearnestness,onthesameerrand,thatitseemedasifhalfthecompanymightsoonbecollectedtogetherforthepurposeofpreparatoryinspection.
EmmaperceivedthathertastewasnottheonlytasteonwhichMr.Westondepended,andfelt,thattobethefavouriteandintimateofamanwhohadsomanyintimatesandconfidantes,wasnottheveryfirstdistinctioninthescaleofvanity.Shelikedhisopenmanners,butalittlelessofopen-heartednesswouldhavemadehimahighercharacter-Generalbenevolence,butnotgeneralfriendship,madeamanwhatheoughttobe-Shecouldfancysuchaman.Thewholepartywalkedabout,andlooked,andpraisedagain;andthen,havingnothingelsetodo,formedasortofhalf-circleroundthefire,toobserveintheirvariousmodes,tillothersubjectswerestarted,that,thoughMay,afireintheeveningwasstillverypleasant.
EmmafoundthatitwasnotMr.Weston\'sfaultthatthenumberofprivycouncillorswasnotyetlarger.TheyhadstoppedatMrs.Bates\'sdoortooffertheuseoftheircarriage,buttheauntandnieceweretobebroughtbytheEltons.
Frankwasstandingbyher,butnotsteadily;therewasarestlessness,whichshewedamindnotatease.Hewaslookingabout,hewasgoingtothedoor,hewaswatchingforthesoundofothercarriages,-impatienttobegin,orafraidofbeingalwaysnearher.
Mrs.Eltonwasspokenof.`Ithinkshemustbeheresoon,\'saidhe.`IhaveagreatcuriositytoseeMrs.Elton,Ihaveheardsomuchofher.Itcannotbelong,Ithink,beforeshecomes.\'
Acarriagewasheard.Hewasonthemoveimmediately;butcomingback,said,
`IamforgettingthatIamnotacquaintedwithher.IhaveneverseeneitherMr.orMrs.Elton.Ihavenobusinesstoputmyselfforward.\'
Mr.andMrs.Eltonappeared;andallthesmilesandtheproprietiespassed.
`ButMissBatesandMissFairfax!\'saidMr.Weston,lookingabout.`Wethoughtyouweretobringthem.\'
Themistakehadbeenslight.Thecarriagewassentforthemnow.EmmalongedtoknowwhatFrank\'sfirstopinionofMrs.Eltonmightbe;howhewasaffectedbythestudiedeleganceofherdress,andhersmilesofgraciousness.Hewasimmediatelyqualifyinghimselftoformanopinion,bygivingherveryproperattention,aftertheintroductionhadpassed.
Inafewminutesthecarriagereturned-Somebodytalkedofrain-`Iwillseethatthereareumbrellas,sir,\'saidFranktohisfather:`MissBatesmustnotbeforgotten:\'andawayhewent.Mr.Westonwasfollowing;butMrs.Eltondetainedhim,togratifyhimbyheropinionofhisson;andsobrisklydidshebegin,thattheyoungmanhimself,thoughbynomeansmovingslowly,couldhardlybeoutofhearing.
`Averyfineyoungmanindeed,Mr.Weston.YouknowIcandidlytoldyouIshouldformmyownopinion;andIamhappytosaythatIamextremelypleasedwithhim-Youmaybelieveme.Inevercompliment.Ithinkhimaveryhandsomeyoungman,andhismannersarepreciselywhatIlikeandapprove-sotrulythegentleman,withouttheleastconceitorpuppyism.YoumustknowIhaveavastdisliketopuppies-quiteahorrorofthem.TheywerenevertoleratedatMapleGrove.NeitherMr.Sucklingnormehadeveranypatiencewiththem;andweusedsometimestosayverycuttingthings!Selina,whoismildalmosttoafault,borewiththemmuchbetter.\'
Whileshetalkedofhisson,Mr.Weston\'sattentionwaschained;butwhenshegottoMapleGrove,hecouldrecollectthattherewereladiesjustarrivingtobeattendedto,andwithhappysmilesmusthurryaway.
Mrs.EltonturnedtoMrs.Weston.`IhavenodoubtofitsbeingourcarriagewithMissBatesandJane.Ourcoachmanandhorsesaresoextremelyexpeditious!-Ibelievewedrivefasterthananybody-Whatapleasureitistosendone\'scarriageforafriend!-Iunderstandyouweresokindastooffer,butanothertimeitwillbequiteunnecessary.YoumaybeverysureIshallalwaystakecareofthem.\'
MissBatesandMissFairfax,escortedbythetwogentlemen,walkedintotheroom;andMrs.EltonseemedtothinkitasmuchherdutyasMrs.Weston\'storeceivethem.HergesturesandmovementsmightbeunderstoodbyanyonewholookedonlikeEmma;butherwords,everybody\'swords,weresoonlostundertheincessantflowofMissBates,whocameintalking,andhadnotfinishedherspeechundermanyminutesafterherbeingadmittedintothecircleatthefire.Asthedooropenedshewasheard,
`Soveryobligingofyou!-Norainatall.Nothingtosignify.Idonotcareformyself.Quitethickshoes.AndJanedeclares-Well!-assoonasshewaswithinthedoorWell!Thisisbrilliantindeed!-Thisisadmirable!-Excellentlycontrived,uponmyword.Nothingwanting.Couldnothaveimaginedit-Sowelllightedup!-Jane,Jane,look!-didyoueverseeanything?Oh!Mr.Weston,youmustreallyhavehadAladdin\'slamp.GoodMrs.Stokeswouldnotknowherownroomagain.IsawherasIcamein;shewasstandingintheentrance.``Oh!Mrs.Stokes,\'\'saidI-butIhadnottimeformore.\'ShewasnowmetbyMrs.Weston-`Verywell,Ithankyou,ma\'am.Ihopeyouarequitewell.Veryhappytohearit.Soafraidyoumighthaveaheadach!-seeingyoupassbysooften,andknowinghowmuchtroubleyoumusthave.Delightedtohearitindeed.Ah!dearMrs.Elton,soobligedtoyouforthecarriage!-excellenttime.JaneandIquiteready.Didnotkeepthehorsesamoment.Mostcomfortablecarriage-Oh!andIamsureourthanksareduetoyou,Mrs.Weston,onthatscore.Mrs.EltonhadmostkindlysentJaneanote,orweshouldhavebeen-Buttwosuchoffersinoneday!-Neverweresuchneighbours.Isaidtomymother,``Uponmyword,ma\'am.\'\'
Thankyou,mymotherisremarkablywell.GonetoMr.Woodhouse\'s.Imadehertakehershawl-fortheeveningsarenotwarm-herlargenewshawl-Mrs.Dixon\'swedding-present-Sokindofhertothinkofmymother!BoughtatWeymouth,youknow-Mr.Dixon\'schoice.Therewerethreeothers,Janesays,whichtheyhesitatedaboutsometime.ColonelCampbellratherpreferredanolive.MydearJane,areyousureyoudidnotwetyourfeet?-Itwasbutadroportwo,butIamsoafraid:-butMr.FrankChurchillwassoextremely-andtherewasamattostepupon-Ishallneverforgethisextremepoliteness-Oh!Mr.FrankChurchill,Imusttellyoumymother\'sspectacleshaveneverbeeninfaultsince;therivetnevercameoutagain.Mymotheroftentalksofyourgood-nature.Doesnotshe,Jane?-DonotweoftentalkofMr.FrankChurchill?-Ah!here\'sMissWoodhouse-DearMissWoodhouse,howdoyoudo?-VerywellIthankyou,quitewell.Thisismeetingquiteinfairy-land!-Suchatransformation!-Mustnotcompliment,IknoweyeingEmmamostcomplacently-thatwouldberude-butuponmyword,MissWoodhouse,youdolook-howdoyoulikeJane\'shair?-Youareajudge-Shediditallherself.Quitewonderfulhowshedoesherhair!-NohairdresserfromLondonIthinkcould-Ah!Dr.HughesIdeclare-andMrs.Hughes.MustgoandspeaktoDr.andMrs.Hughesforamoment-Howdoyoudo?Howdoyoudo?-Verywell,Ithankyou.Thisisdelightful,isnotit?-Where\'sdearMr.Richard?-Oh!thereheis.Don\'tdisturbhim.Muchbetteremployedtalkingtotheyoungladies.Howdoyoudo,Mr.Richard?-Isawyoutheotherdayasyourodethroughthetown-Mrs.Otway,Iprotest!-andgoodMr.Otway,andMissOtwayandMissCaroline-Suchahostoffriends!-andMr.GeorgeandMr.Arthur!-Howdoyoudo?Howdoyoualldo?-Quitewell,Iammuchobligedtoyou.Neverbetter-Don\'tIhearanothercarriage?-Whocanthisbe?-verylikelytheworthyColes-Uponmyword,thisischarmingtobestandingaboutamongsuchfriends!Andsuchanoblefire!-Iamquiteroasted.Nocoffee,Ithankyou,forme-nevertakecoffee-Alittleteaifyouplease,sir,byandbye,-nohurry-Oh!hereitcomes.Everythingsogood!\'
FrankChurchillreturnedtohisstationbyEmma;andassoonasMissBateswasquiet,shefoundherselfnecessarilyoverhearingthediscourseofMrs.EltonandMissFairfax,whowerestandingalittlewaybehindher-Hewasthoughtful.Whetherhewereoverhearingtoo,shecouldnotdetermine.AfteragoodmanycomplimentstoJaneonherdressandlook,complimentsveryquietlyandproperlytaken,Mrs.Eltonwasevidentlywantingtobecomplimentedherself-anditwas,`Howdoyoulikemygown?-Howdoyoulikemytrimming?-HowhasWrightdonemyhair?\'-withmanyotherrelativequestions,allansweredwithpatientpoliteness.Mrs.Eltonthensaid,`NobodycanthinklessofdressingeneralthanIdo-butuponsuchanoccasionasthis,wheneverybody\'seyesaresomuchuponme,andincomplimenttotheWestons-whoIhavenodoubtaregivingthisballchieflytodomehonour-Iwouldnotwishtobeinferiortoothers.AndIseeveryfewpearlsintheroomexceptmine-SoFrankChurchillisacapitaldancer,Iunderstand-Weshallseeifourstylessuit-AfineyoungmancertainlyisFrankChurchill.Ilikehimverywell.\'
AtthismomentFrankbegantalkingsovigorously,thatEmmacouldnotbutimaginehehadoverheardhisownpraises,anddidnotwanttohearmore;-andthevoicesoftheladiesweredrownedforawhile,tillanothersuspensionbroughtMrs.Elton\'stonesagaindistinctlyforward-Mr.Eltonhadjustjoinedthem,andhiswifewasexclaiming,
`Oh!youhavefoundusoutatlast,haveyou,inourseclusion?-IwasthismomenttellingJane,Ithoughtyouwouldbegintobeimpatientfortidingsofus.\'
`Jane!\'-repeatedFrankChurchill,withalookofsurprizeanddispleasure-`Thatiseasy-butMissFairfaxdoesnotdisapproveit,Isuppose.\'
`HowdoyoulikeMrs.Elton?\'saidEmmainawhisper.
`Notatall.\'
`Youareungrateful.\'
`Ungrateful!-Whatdoyoumean?\'Thenchangingfromafrowntoasmile-`No,donottellme-Idonotwanttoknowwhatyoumean-Whereismyfather?-Whenarewetobegindancing?\'
Emmacouldhardlyunderstandhim;heseemedinanoddhumour.Hewalkedofftofindhisfather,butwasquicklybackagainwithbothMr.andMrs.Weston.Hehadmetwiththeminalittleperplexity,whichmustbelaidbeforeEmma.IthadjustoccurredtoMrs.WestonthatMrs.Eltonmustbeaskedtobegintheball;thatshewouldexpectit;whichinterferedwithalltheirwishesofgivingEmmathatdistinction-Emmaheardthesadtruthwithfortitude.
`Andwhatarewetodoforaproperpartnerforher?\'saidMr.Weston.`ShewillthinkFrankoughttoaskher.\'
FrankturnedinstantlytoEmma,toclaimherformerpromise;andboastedhimselfanengagedman,whichhisfatherlookedhismostperfectapprobationof-anditthenappearedthatMrs.WestonwaswantinghimtodancewithMrs.Eltonhimself,andthattheirbusinesswastohelptopersuadehimintoit,whichwasdoneprettysoon-Mr.WestonandMrs.Eltonledtheway,Mr.FrankChurchillandMissWoodhousefollowed.EmmamustsubmittostandsecondtoMrs.Elton,thoughshehadalwaysconsideredtheballaspeculiarlyforher.Itwasalmostenoughtomakeherthinkofmarrying.Mrs.Eltonhadundoubtedlytheadvantage,atthistime,invanitycompletelygratified;forthoughshehadintendedtobeginwithFrankChurchill,shecouldnotlosebythechange.Mr.Westonmightbehisson\'ssuperior-Inspiteofthislittlerub,however,Emmawassmilingwithenjoyment,delightedtoseetherespectablelengthofthesetasitwasforming,andtofeelthatshehadsomanyhoursofunusualfestivitybeforeher.###第18章
ShewasmoredisturbedbyMr.Knightley\'snotdancingthanbyanythingelse-Therehewas,amongthestanders-by,whereheoughtnottobe;heoughttobedancing,-notclassinghimselfwiththehusbands,andfathers,andwhist-players,whowerepretendingtofeelaninterestinthedancetilltheirrubbersweremadeup,-soyoungashelooked!-Hecouldnothaveappearedtogreateradvantageperhapsanywhere,thanwherehehadplacedhimself.Histall,firm,uprightfigure,amongthebulkyformsandstoopingshouldersoftheelderlymen,wassuchasEmmafeltmustdraweverybody\'seyes;and,exceptingherownpartner,therewasnotoneamongthewholerowofyoungmenwhocouldbecomparedwithhim-Hemovedafewstepsnearer,andthosefewstepswereenoughtoproveinhowgentlemanlikeamanner,withwhatnaturalgrace,hemusthavedanced,wouldhebuttakethetrouble-Whenevershecaughthiseye,sheforcedhimtosmile;butingeneralhewaslookinggrave.Shewishedhecouldloveaballroombetter,andcouldlikeFrankChurchillbetter-Heseemedoftenobservingher.Shemustnotflatterherselfthathethoughtofherdancing,butifhewerecriticisingherbehaviour,shedidnotfeelafraid.Therewasnothinglikeflirtationbetweenherandherpartner.Theyseemedmorelikecheerful,easyfriends,thanlovers.ThatFrankChurchillthoughtlessofherthanhehaddone,wasindubitable.
Theballproceededpleasantly.Theanxiouscares,theincessantattentionsofMrs.Weston,werenotthrownaway.Everybodyseemedhappy;andthepraiseofbeingadelightfulball,whichisseldombestowedtillafteraballhasceasedtobe,wasrepeatedlygivenintheverybeginningoftheexistenceofthis.Ofveryimportant,veryrecordableevents,itwasnotmoreproductivethansuchmeetingsusuallyare.Therewasone,however,whichEmmathoughtsomethingof-Thetwolastdancesbeforesupperwerebegun,andHarriethadnopartner;-theonlyyoungladysittingdown;-andsoequalhadbeenhithertothenumberofdancers,thathowtherecouldbeanyonedisengagedwasthewonder!-ButEmma\'swonderlessenedsoonafterwards,onseeingMr.Eltonsaunteringabout.HewouldnotaskHarriettodanceifitwerepossibletobeavoided:shewassurehewouldnot-andshewasexpectinghimeverymomenttoescapeintothecard-room.
Escape,however,wasnothisplan.Hecametothepartoftheroomwherethesitters-bywerecollected,spoketosome,andwalkedaboutinfrontofthem,asiftoshewhisliberty,andhisresolutionofmaintainingit.HedidnotomitbeingsometimesdirectlybeforeMissSmith,orspeakingtothosewhowereclosetoher-Emmasawit.Shewasnotyetdancing;shewasworkingherwayupfromthebottom,andhadthereforeleisuretolookaround,andbyonlyturningherheadalittleshesawitall.Whenshewashalf-wayuptheset,thewholegroupwereexactlybehindher,andshewouldnolongerallowhereyestowatch;butMr.Eltonwassonear,thatsheheardeverysyllableofadialoguewhichjustthentookplacebetweenhimandMrs.Weston;andsheperceivedthathiswife,whowasstandingimmediatelyaboveher,wasnotonlylisteningalso,butevenencouraginghimbysignificantglances-Thekind-hearted,gentleMrs.Westonhadleftherseattojoinhimandsay,`Donotyoudance,Mr.Elton?\'towhichhispromptreplywas,`Mostreadily,Mrs.Weston,ifyouwilldancewithme.\'
`Me!-oh!no-Iwouldgetyouabetterpartnerthanmyself.Iamnodancer.\'
`IfMrs.Gilbertwishestodance,\'saidhe,`Ishallhavegreatpleasure,Iamsure-for,thoughbeginningtofeelmyselfratheranoldmarriedman,andthatmydancingdaysareover,itwouldgivemeverygreatpleasureatanytimetostandupwithanoldfriendlikeMrs.Gilbert.\'
`Mrs.Gilbertdoesnotmeantodance,butthereisayoungladydisengagedwhomIshouldbeverygladtoseedancing-MissSmith.\'`MissSmith!-oh!-Ihadnotobserved-Youareextremelyobliging-andifIwerenotanoldmarriedman-Butmydancingdaysareover,Mrs.Weston.Youwillexcuseme.AnythingelseIshouldbemosthappytodo,atyourcommand-butmydancingdaysareover.\'