whenJanefirstheardofit,shewasquitedecidedagainstacceptingtheoffer,andforthereasonsyoumention;exactlyasyousay,shehadmadeuphermindtoclosewithnothingtillColonelCampbell\'sreturn,andnothingshouldinducehertoenterintoanyengagementatpresent-andsoshetoldMrs.Eltonoverandoveragain-andIamsureIhadnomoreideathatshewouldchangehermind!-butthatgoodMrs.Elton,whosejudgmentneverfailsher,sawfartherthanIdid.Itisnoteverybodythatwouldhavestoodoutinsuchakindwayasshedid,andrefusetotakeJane\'sanswer;butshepositivelydeclaredshewouldnotwriteanysuchdenialyesterday,asJanewishedher;shewouldwait-and,sureenough,yesterdayeveningitwasallsettledthatJaneshouldgo.Quiteasurprizetome!Ihadnottheleastidea!-JanetookMrs.Eltonaside,andtoldheratonce,thatuponthinkingovertheadvantagesofMrs.Smallridge\'ssituation,shehadcometotheresolutionofacceptingit-Ididnotknowawordofittillitwasallsettled.\'
`YouspenttheeveningwithMrs.Elton?\'
`Yes,allofus;Mrs.Eltonwouldhaveuscome.Itwassettledso,uponthehill,whilewewerewalkingaboutwithMr.Knightley.``Youmustallspendyoureveningwithus,\'\'saidshe-``Ipositivelymusthaveyouallcome.\'\'\'
`Mr.Knightleywastheretoo,washe?\'
`No,notMr.Knightley;hedeclineditfromthefirst;andthoughIthoughthewouldcome,becauseMrs.Eltondeclaredshewouldnotlethimoff,hedidnot;-butmymother,andJane,andI,wereallthere,andaveryagreeableeveningwehad.Suchkindfriends,youknow,MissWoodhouse,onemustalwaysfindagreeable,thougheverybodyseemedratherfaggedafterthemorning\'sparty.Evenpleasure,youknow,isfatiguing-andIcannotsaythatanyofthemseemedverymuchtohaveenjoyedit.However,Ishallalwaysthinkitaverypleasantparty,andfeelextremelyobligedtothekindfriendswhoincludedmeinit.\'
`MissFairfax,Isuppose,thoughyouwerenotawareofit,hadbeenmakinguphermindthewholeday?\'
`Idaresayshehad.\'
`Wheneverthetimemaycome,itmustbeunwelcometoherandallherfriends-butIhopeherengagementwillhaveeveryalleviationthatispossible-Imean,astothecharacterandmannersofthefamily.\'
`Thankyou,dearMissWoodhouse.Yes,indeed,thereiseverythingintheworldthatcanmakeherhappyinit.ExcepttheSucklingsandBragges,thereisnotsuchanothernurseryestablishment,soliberalandelegant,inallMrs.Elton\'sacquaintance.Mrs.Smallridge,amostdelightfulwoman!-AstyleoflivingalmostequaltoMapleGrove-andastothechildren,exceptthelittleSucklingsandlittleBragges,therearenotsuchelegantsweetchildrenanywhere.Janewillbetreatedwithsuchregardandkindness!-Itwillbenothingbutpleasure,alifeofpleasure-Andhersalary!-Ireallycannotventuretonamehersalarytoyou,MissWoodhouse.Evenyou,usedasyouaretogreatsums,wouldhardlybelievethatsomuchcouldbegiventoayoungpersonlikeJane.\'
`Ah!madam,\'criedEmma,`ifotherchildrenareatalllikewhatIremembertohavebeenmyself,IshouldthinkfivetimestheamountofwhatIhaveeveryetheardnamedasasalaryonsuchoccasions,dearlyearned.\'
`Youaresonobleinyourideas!\'
`AndwhenisMissFairfaxtoleaveyou?\'
`Verysoon,verysoon,indeed;that\'stheworstofit.Withinafortnight.Mrs.Smallridgeisinagreathurry.Mypoormotherdoesnotknowhowtobearit.Sothen,Itrytoputitoutofherthoughts,andsay,Comema\'am,donotletusthinkaboutitanymore.\'
`Herfriendsmustallbesorrytoloseher;andwillnotColonelandMrs.Campbellbesorrytofindthatshehasengagedherselfbeforetheirreturn?\'
`Yes;Janesayssheissuretheywill;butyet,thisissuchasituationasshecannotfeelherselfjustifiedindeclining.IwassoastonishedwhenshefirsttoldmewhatshehadbeensayingtoMrs.Elton,andwhenMrs.Eltonatthesamemomentcamecongratulatingmeuponit!Itwasbeforetea-stay-no,itcouldnotbebeforetea,becausewewerejustgoingtocards-andyetitwasbeforetea,becauseIrememberthinking-Oh!no,nowIrecollect,nowIhaveit;somethinghappenedbeforetea,butnotthat.Mr.Eltonwascalledoutoftheroombeforetea,oldJohnAbdy\'ssonwantedtospeakwithhim.PooroldJohn,Ihaveagreatregardforhim;hewasclerktomypoorfathertwenty-sevenyears;andnow,pooroldman,heisbed-ridden,andverypoorlywiththerheumaticgoutinhisjoints-Imustgoandseehimto-day;andsowillJane,Iamsure,ifshegetsoutatall.AndpoorJohn\'ssoncametotalktoMr.Eltonaboutrelieffromtheparish;heisverywelltodohimself,youknow,beingheadmanattheCrown,ostler,andeverythingofthatsort,butstillhecannotkeephisfatherwithoutsomehelp;andso,whenMr.Eltoncameback,hetolduswhatJohnostlerhadbeentellinghim,andthenitcameoutaboutthechaisehavingbeensenttoRandallstotakeMr.FrankChurchilltoRichmond.Thatwaswhathappenedbeforetea.ItwasafterteathatJanespoketoMrs.Elton.\'
MissBateswouldhardlygiveEmmatimetosayhowperfectlynewthiscircumstancewastoher;butaswithoutsupposingitpossiblethatshecouldbeignorantofanyoftheparticularsofMr.FrankChurchill\'sgoing,sheproceededtogivethemall,itwasofnoconsequence.
WhatMr.Eltonhadlearnedfromtheostleronthesubject,beingtheaccumulationoftheostler\'sownknowledge,andtheknowledgeoftheservantsatRandalls,was,thatamessengerhadcomeoverfromRichmondsoonafterthereturnofthepartyfromBoxHill-whichmessenger,however,hadbeennomorethanwasexpected;andthatMr.Churchillhadsenthisnephewafewlines,containing,uponthewhole,atolerableaccountofMrs.Churchill,andonlywishinghimnottodelaycomingbackbeyondthenextmorningearly;butthatMr.FrankChurchillhavingresolvedtogohomedirectly,withoutwaitingatall,andhishorseseemingtohavegotacold,TomhadbeensentoffimmediatelyfortheCrownchaise,andtheostlerhadstoodoutandseenitpassby,theboygoingagoodpace,anddrivingverysteady.
Therewasnothinginallthiseithertoastonishorinterest,anditcaughtEmma\'sattentiononlyasitunitedwiththesubjectwhichalreadyengagedhermind.ThecontrastbetweenMrs.Churchill\'simportanceintheworld,andJaneFairfax\'s,struckher;onewaseverything,theothernothing-andshesatmusingonthedifferenceofwoman\'sdestiny,andquiteunconsciousonwhathereyeswerefixed,tillrousedbyMissBates\'ssaying,
`Aye,Iseewhatyouarethinkingof,thepianoforte.Whatistobecomeofthat?-Verytrue.PoordearJanewastalkingofitjustnow-``Youmustgo,\'\'saidshe.``YouandImustpart.Youwillhavenobusinesshere-Letitstay,however,\'\'saidshe;``giveithouseroomtillColonelCampbellcomesback.Ishalltalkaboutittohim;hewillsettleforme;hewillhelpmeoutofallmydifficulties.\'\'-Andtothisday,Idobelieve,sheknowsnotwhetheritwashispresentorhisdaughter\'s.\'
NowEmmawasobligedtothinkofthepianoforte;andtheremembranceofallherformerfancifulandunfairconjectureswassolittlepleasing,thatshesoonallowedherselftobelievehervisithadbeenlongenough;and,witharepetitionofeverythingthatshecouldventuretosayofthegoodwisheswhichshereallyfelt,tookleave.
CHAPTERIX
Emma\'spensivemeditations,asshewalkedhome,werenotinterrupted;butonenteringtheparlour,shefoundthosewhomustrouseher.Mr.KnightleyandHarriethadarrivedduringherabsence,andweresittingwithherfather-Mr.Knightleyimmediatelygotup,andinamannerdecidedlygraverthanusual,said,
`Iwouldnotgoawaywithoutseeingyou,butIhavenotimetospare,andthereforemustnowbegonedirectly.IamgoingtoLondon,tospendafewdayswithJohnandIsabella.Haveyouanythingtosendorsay,besidesthe``love,\'\'whichnobodycarries?\'
`Nothingatall.Butisnotthisasuddenscheme?\'
`Yes-rather-Ihavebeenthinkingofitsomelittletime.\'
Emmawassurehehadnotforgivenher;helookedunlikehimself.Time,however,shethought,wouldtellhimthattheyoughttobefriendsagain.Whilehestood,asifmeaningtogo,butnotgoing-herfatherbeganhisinquiries.
`Well,mydear,anddidyougettheresafely?-Andhowdidyoufindmyworthyoldfriendandherdaughter?-Idaresaytheymusthavebeenverymuchobligedtoyouforcoming.DearEmmahasbeentocallonMrs.andMissBates,Mr.Knightley,asItoldyoubefore.Sheisalwayssoattentivetothem!\'
Emma\'scolourwasheightenedbythisunjustpraise;andwithasmile,andshakeofthehead,whichspokemuch,shelookedatMr.Knightley-Itseemedasiftherewereaninstantaneousimpressioninherfavour,asifhiseyesreceivedthetruthfromher\'s,andallthathadpassedofgoodinherfeelingswereatoncecaughtandhonoured-Helookedatherwithaglowofregard.Shewaswarmlygratified-andinanothermomentstillmoreso,byalittlemovementofmorethancommonfriendlinessonhispart-Hetookherhand;-whethershehadnotherselfmadethefirstmotion,shecouldnotsay-shemight,perhaps,haveratherofferedit-buthetookherhand,pressedit,andcertainlywasonthepointofcarryingittohislips-when,fromsomefancyorother,hesuddenlyletitgo-Whyheshouldfeelsuchascruple,whyheshouldchangehismindwhenitwasallbutdone,shecouldnotperceive-Hewouldhavejudgedbetter,shethought,ifhehadnotstopped-Theintention,however,wasindubitable;andwhetheritwasthathismannershadingeneralsolittlegallantry,orhoweverelseithappened,butshethoughtnothingbecamehimmore-Itwaswithhim,ofsosimple,yetsodignifiedanature-Shecouldnotbutrecalltheattemptwithgreatsatisfaction.Itspokesuchperfectamity-Heleftthemimmediatelyafterwards-goneinamoment.Healwaysmovedwiththealertnessofamindwhichcouldneitherbeundecidednordilatory,butnowheseemedmoresuddenthanusualinhisdisappearance.
EmmacouldnotregretherhavinggonetoMissBates,butshewishedshehadlefthertenminutesearlier;-itwouldhavebeenagreatpleasuretotalkoverJaneFairfax\'ssituationwithMr.Knightley-NeitherwouldsheregretthatheshouldbegoingtoBrunswickSquare,forsheknewhowmuchhisvisitwouldbeenjoyed-butitmighthavehappenedatabettertime-andtohavehadlongernoticeofit,wouldhavebeenpleasanter-Theypartedthoroughfriends,however;shecouldnotbedeceivedastothemeaningofhiscountenance,andhisunfinishedgallantry;-itwasalldonetoassureherthatshehadfullyrecoveredhisgoodopinion-Hehadbeensittingwiththemhalfanhour,shefound.Itwasapitythatshehadnotcomebackearlier!
Inthehopeofdivertingherfather\'sthoughtsfromthedisagreeablenessofMr.Knightley\'sgoingtoLondon;andgoingsosuddenly;andgoingonhorseback,whichsheknewwouldbeallverybad;EmmacommunicatedhernewsofJaneFairfax,andherdependenceontheeffectwasjustified;itsuppliedaveryusefulcheck,-interested,withoutdisturbinghim.HehadlongmadeuphismindtoJaneFairfax\'sgoingoutasgoverness,andcouldtalkofitcheerfully,butMr.Knightley\'sgoingtoLondonhadbeenanunexpectedblow.
`Iamveryglad,indeed,mydear,tohearsheistobesocomfortablysettled.Mrs.Eltonisverygood-naturedandagreeable,andIdaresayheracquaintancearejustwhattheyoughttobe.Ihopeitisadrysituation,andthatherhealthwillbetakengoodcareof.Itoughttobeafirstobject,asIamsurepoorMissTaylor\'salwayswaswithme.Youknow,mydear,sheisgoingtobetothisnewladywhatMissTaylorwastous.AndIhopeshewillbebetteroffinonerespect,andnotbeinducedtogoawayafterithasbeenherhomesolong.\'
ThefollowingdaybroughtnewsfromRichmondtothroweverythingelseintothebackground.AnexpressarrivedatRandallstoannouncethedeathofMrs.Churchill!Thoughhernephewhadhadnoparticularreasontohastenbackonheraccount,shehadnotlivedabovesix-and-thirtyhoursafterhisreturn.Asuddenseizureofadifferentnaturefromanythingforebodedbyhergeneralstate,hadcarriedheroffafterashortstruggle.ThegreatMrs.Churchillwasnomore.
Itwasfeltassuchthingsmustbefelt.Everybodyhadadegreeofgravityandsorrow;tendernesstowardsthedeparted,solicitudeforthesurvivingfriends;and,inareasonabletime,curiositytoknowwhereshewouldbeburied.Goldsmithtellsus,thatwhenlovelywomanstoopstofolly,shehasnothingtodobuttodie;andwhenshestoopstobedisagreeable,itisequallytoberecommendedasaclearerofill-fame.Mrs.Churchill,afterbeingdislikedatleasttwenty-fiveyears,wasnowspokenofwithcompassionateallowances.Inonepointshewasfullyjustified.Shehadneverbeenadmittedbeforetobeseriouslyill.Theeventacquittedherofallthefancifulness,andalltheselfishnessofimaginarycomplaints.
`PoorMrs.Churchill!nodoubtshehadbeensufferingagreatdeal:morethananybodyhadeversupposed-andcontinualpainwouldtrythetemper.Itwasasadevent-agreatshock-withallherfaults,whatwouldMr.Churchilldowithouther?Mr.Churchill\'slosswouldbedreadfulindeed.Mr.Churchillwouldnevergetoverit.\'-EvenMr.Westonshookhishead,andlookedsolemn,andsaid,`Ah!poorwoman,whowouldhavethoughtit!\'andresolved,thathismourningshouldbeashandsomeaspossible;andhiswifesatsighingandmoralisingoverherbroadhemswithacommiserationandgoodsense,trueandsteady.HowitwouldaffectFrankwasamongtheearliestthoughtsofboth.ItwasalsoaveryearlyspeculationwithEmma.ThecharacterofMrs.Churchill,thegriefofherhusband-hermindglancedoverthembothwithaweandcompassion-andthenrestedwithlightenedfeelingsonhowFrankmightbeaffectedbytheevent,howbenefited,howfreed.Shesawinamomentallthepossiblegood.Now,anattachmenttoHarrietSmithwouldhavenothingtoencounter.Mr.Churchill,independentofhiswife,wasfearedbynobody;aneasy,guidableman,tobepersuadedintoanythingbyhisnephew.Allthatremainedtobewishedwas,thatthenephewshouldformtheattachment,as,withallhergoodwillinthecause,Emmacouldfeelnocertaintyofitsbeingalreadyformed.
Harrietbehavedextremelywellontheoccasion,withgreatself-command.Whatevershemightfeelofbrighterhope,shebetrayednothing.Emmawasgratified,toobservesuchaproofinherofstrengthenedcharacter,andrefrainedfromanyallusionthatmightendangeritsmaintenance.Theyspoke,therefore,ofMrs.Churchill\'sdeathwithmutualforbearance.
ShortlettersfromFrankwerereceivedatRandalls,communicatingallthatwasimmediatelyimportantoftheirstateandplans.Mr.Churchillwasbetterthancouldbeexpected;andtheirfirstremoval,onthedepartureofthefuneralforYorkshire,wastobetothehouseofaveryoldfriendinWindsor,towhomMr.Churchillhadbeenpromisingavisitthelasttenyears.Atpresent,therewasnothingtobedoneforHarriet;goodwishesforthefuturewereallthatcouldyetbepossibleonEmma\'sside.
ItwasamorepressingconcerntoshewattentiontoJaneFairfax,whoseprospectswereclosing,whileHarriet\'sopened,andwhoseengagementsnowallowedofnodelayinanyoneatHighbury,whowishedtoshewherkindness-andwithEmmaitwasgrownintoafirstwish.Shehadscarcelyastrongerregretthanforherpastcoldness;andtheperson,whomshehadbeensomanymonthsneglecting,wasnowtheveryoneonwhomshewouldhavelavishedeverydistinctionofregardorsympathy.Shewantedtobeofusetoher;wantedtoshewavalueforhersociety,andtestifyrespectandconsideration.SheresolvedtoprevailonhertospendadayatHartfield.Anotewaswrittentourgeit.Theinvitationwasrefused,andbyaverbalmessage.`MissFairfaxwasnotwellenoughtowrite;\'andwhenMr.PerrycalledatHartfield,thesamemorning,itappearedthatshewassomuchindisposedastohavebeenvisited,thoughagainstherownconsent,byhimself,andthatshewassufferingundersevereheadaches,andanervousfevertoadegree,whichmadehimdoubtthepossibilityofhergoingtoMrs.Smallridge\'satthetimeproposed.Herhealthseemedforthemomentcompletelyderanged-appetitequitegone-andthoughtherewerenoabsolutelyalarmingsymptoms,nothingtouchingthepulmonarycomplaint,whichwasthestandingapprehensionofthefamily,Mr.Perrywasuneasyabouther.Hethoughtshehadundertakenmorethanshewasequalto,andthatshefeltitsoherself,thoughshewouldnotownit.Herspiritsseemedovercome.Herpresenthome,hecouldnotbutobserve,wasunfavourabletoanervousdisorder:-confinedalwaystooneroom;-hecouldhavewisheditotherwise-andhergoodaunt,thoughhisveryoldfriend,hemustacknowledgetobenotthebestcompanionforaninvalidofthatdescription.Hercareandattentioncouldnotbequestioned;theywere,infact,onlytoogreat.HeverymuchfearedthatMissFairfaxderivedmoreevilthangoodfromthem.Emmalistenedwiththewarmestconcern;grievedforhermoreandmore,andlookedaroundeagertodiscoversomewayofbeinguseful.Totakeher-beitonlyanhourortwo-fromheraunt,togiveherchangeofairandscene,andquietrationalconversation,evenforanhourortwo,mightdohergood;andthefollowingmorningshewroteagaintosay,inthemostfeelinglanguageshecouldcommand,thatshewouldcallforherinthecarriageatanyhourthatJanewouldname-mentioningthatshehadMr.Perry\'sdecidedopinion,infavourofsuchexerciseforhispatient.Theanswerwasonlyinthisshortnote:
`MissFairfax\'scomplimentsandthanks,butisquiteunequaltoanyexercise.\'
Emmafeltthatherownnotehaddeservedsomethingbetter;butitwasimpossibletoquarrelwithwords,whosetremulousinequalityshewedindispositionsoplainly,andshethoughtonlyofhowshemightbestcounteractthisunwillingnesstobeseenorassisted.Inspiteoftheanswer,therefore,sheorderedthecarriage,anddrovetoMrs.Bates\'s,inthehopethatJanewouldbeinducedtojoinher-butitwouldnotdo;-MissBatescametothecarriagedoor,allgratitude,andagreeingwithhermostearnestlyinthinkinganairingmightbeofthegreatestservice-andeverythingthatmessagecoulddowastried-butallinvain.MissBateswasobligedtoreturnwithoutsuccess;Janewasquiteunpersuadable;themereproposalofgoingoutseemedtomakeherworse-Emmawishedshecouldhaveseenher,andtriedherownpowers;but,almostbeforeshecouldhintthewish,MissBatesmadeitappearthatshehadpromisedhernieceonnoaccounttoletMissWoodhousein.`Indeed,thetruthwas,thatpoordearJanecouldnotbeartoseeanybody-anybodyatall-Mrs.Elton,indeed,couldnotbedenied-andMrs.Colehadmadesuchapoint-andMrs.Perryhadsaidsomuch-but,exceptthem,Janewouldreallyseenobody.\'
EmmadidnotwanttobeclassedwiththeMrs.Eltons,theMrs.Perrys,andtheMrs.Coles,whowouldforcethemselvesanywhere;neithercouldshefeelanyrightofpreferenceherself-shesubmitted,therefore,andonlyquestionedMissBatesfartherastoherniece\'sappetiteanddiet,whichshelongedtobeabletoassist.OnthatsubjectpoorMissBateswasveryunhappy,andverycommunicative;Janewouldhardlyeatanything:-Mr.Perryrecommendednourishingfood;buteverythingtheycouldcommandandneverhadanybodysuchgoodneighbourswasdistasteful.
Emma,onreachinghome,calledthehousekeeperdirectly,toanexaminationofherstores;andsomearrowrootofverysuperiorqualitywasspeedilydespatchedtoMissBateswithamostfriendlynote.Inhalfanhourthearrowrootwasreturned,withathousandthanksfromMissBates,but`dearJanewouldnotbesatisfiedwithoutitsbeingsentback;itwasathingshecouldnottake-and,moreover,sheinsistedonhersaying,thatshewasnotatallinwantofanything.\'
WhenEmmaafterwardsheardthatJaneFairfaxhadbeenseenwanderingaboutthemeadows,atsomedistancefromHighbury,ontheafternoonoftheverydayonwhichshehad,underthepleaofbeingunequaltoanyexercise,soperemptorilyrefusedtogooutwithherinthecarriage,shecouldhavenodoubt-puttingeverythingtogether-thatJanewasresolvedtoreceivenokindnessfromher.Shewassorry,verysorry.Herheartwasgrievedforastatewhichseemedbutthemorepitiablefromthissortofirritationofspirits,inconsistencyofaction,andinequalityofpowers;anditmortifiedherthatshewasgivensolittlecreditforproperfeeling,oresteemedsolittleworthyasafriend:butshehadtheconsolationofknowingthatherintentionsweregood,andofbeingabletosaytoherself,thatcouldMr.KnightleyhavebeenprivytoallherattemptsofassistingJaneFairfax,couldheevenhaveseenintoherheart,hewouldnot,onthisoccasion,havefoundanythingtoreprove.
CHAPTERX
Onemorning,abouttendaysafterMrs.Churchill\'sdecease,EmmawascalleddownstairstoMr.Weston,who`couldnotstayfiveminutes,andwantedparticularlytospeakwithher.\'-Hemetherattheparlour-door,andhardlyaskingherhowshedid,inthenaturalkeyofhisvoice,sunkitimmediately,tosay,unheardbyherfather,
`CanyoucometoRandallsatanytimethismorning?-Do,ifitbepossible.Mrs.Westonwantstoseeyou.Shemustseeyou.\'
`Issheunwell?\'
`No,no,notatall-onlyalittleagitated.Shewouldhaveorderedthecarriage,andcometoyou,butshemustseeyoualone,andthatyouknow-noddingtowardsherfather-Humph!-Canyoucome?\'
`Certainly.Thismoment,ifyouplease.Itisimpossibletorefusewhatyouaskinsuchaway.Butwhatcanbethematter?-Isshereallynotill?\'
`Dependuponme-butasknomorequestions.Youwillknowitallintime.Themostunaccountablebusiness!Buthush,hush!\'
Toguesswhatallthismeant,wasimpossibleevenforEmma.Somethingreallyimportantseemedannouncedbyhislooks;but,asherfriendwaswell,sheendeavourednottobeuneasy,andsettlingitwithherfather,thatshewouldtakeherwalknow,sheandMr.WestonweresoonoutofthehousetogetherandontheirwayataquickpaceforRandalls.
`Now,\'-saidEmma,whentheywerefairlybeyondthesweepgates,-`nowMr.Weston,doletmeknowwhathashappened.\'
`No,no,\'-hegravelyreplied-`Don\'taskme.Ipromisedmywifetoleaveitalltoher.ShewillbreakittoyoubetterthanIcan.Donotbeimpatient,Emma;itwillallcomeouttoosoon.\'
`Breakittome,\'criedEmma,standingstillwithterror-`GoodGod!-Mr.Weston,tellmeatonce-SomethinghashappenedinBrunswickSquare.Iknowithas.Tellme,Ichargeyoutellmethismomentwhatitis.\'
`No,indeedyouaremistaken.\'-
`Mr.Westondonottriflewithme-ConsiderhowmanyofmydearestfriendsarenowinBrunswickSquare.Whichofthemisit?-Ichargeyoubyallthatissacred,nottoattemptconcealment.\'
`Uponmyword,Emma.\'-
`Yourword!-whynotyourhonour!-whynotsayuponyourhonour,thatithasnothingtodowithanyofthem?GoodHeavens!-Whatcanbetobebroketome,thatdoesnotrelatetooneofthatfamily?\'
`Uponmyhonour,\'saidheveryseriously,`itdoesnot.ItisnotinthesmallestdegreeconnectedwithanyhumanbeingofthenameofKnightley.\'
Emma\'scouragereturned,andshewalkedon.
`Iwaswrong,\'hecontinued,`intalkingofitsbeingbroketoyou.Ishouldnothaveusedtheexpression.Infact,itdoesnotconcernyou-itconcernsonlymyself,-thatis,wehope-Humph!-Inshort,mydearEmma,thereisnooccasiontobesouneasyaboutit.Idon\'tsaythatitisnotadisagreeablebusiness-butthingsmightbemuchworse-Ifwewalkfast,weshallsoonbeatRandalls.\'
Emmafoundthatshemustwait;andnowitrequiredlittleeffort.Sheaskednomorequestionstherefore,merelyemployedherownfancy,andthatsoonpointedouttohertheprobabilityofitsbeingsomemoneyconcern-somethingjustcometolight,ofadisagreeablenatureinthecircumstancesofthefamily,-somethingwhichthelateeventatRichmondhadbroughtforward.Herfancywasveryactive.Halfadozennaturalchildren,perhaps-andpoorFrankcutoff!-This,thoughveryundesirable,wouldbenomatterofagonytoher.Itinspiredlittlemorethanananimatingcuriosity.
`Whoisthatgentlemanonhorseback?\'saidshe,astheyproceeded-speakingmoretoassistMr.Westoninkeepinghissecret,thanwithanyotherview.
`Idonotknow-OneoftheOtways-NotFrank;-itisnotFrank,Iassureyou.Youwillnotseehim.HeishalfwaytoWindsorbythistime.\'
`Hasyoursonbeenwithyou,then?\'
`Oh!yes-didnotyouknow?-Well,well,nevermind.\'
Foramomenthewassilent;andthenadded,inatonemuchmoreguardedanddemure,
`Yes,Frankcameoverthismorning,justtoaskushowwedid.\'
Theyhurriedon,andwerespeedilyatRandalls-`Well,mydear,\'saidhe,astheyenteredtheroom-`Ihavebroughther,andnowIhopeyouwillsoonbebetter.Ishallleaveyoutogether.Thereisnouseindelay.Ishallnotbefaroff,ifyouwantme.\'-AndEmmadistinctlyheardhimadd,inalowertone,beforehequittedtheroom,-`Ihavebeenasgoodasmyword.Shehasnottheleastidea.\'
Mrs.Westonwaslookingsoill,andhadanairofsomuchperturbation,thatEmma\'suneasinessincreased;andthemomenttheywerealone,sheeagerlysaid,
`Whatisitmydearfriend?Somethingofaveryunpleasantnature,Ifind,hasoccurred;-doletmeknowdirectlywhatitis.Ihavebeenwalkingallthiswayincompletesuspense.Webothabhorsuspense.Donotletminecontinuelonger.Itwilldoyougoodtospeakofyourdistress,whateveritmaybe.\'
`Haveyouindeednoidea?\'saidMrs.Westoninatremblingvoice.`Cannotyou,mydearEmma-cannotyouformaguessastowhatyouaretohear?\'
`SofarasthatitrelatestoMr.FrankChurchill,Idoguess.\'
`Youareright.Itdoesrelatetohim,andIwilltellyoudirectly;\'resumingherwork,andseemingresolvedagainstlookingup.`Hehasbeenherethisverymorning,onamostextraordinaryerrand.Itisimpossibletoexpressoursurprize.Hecametospeaktohisfatheronasubject,-toannounceanattachment-\'
Shestoppedtobreathe.Emmathoughtfirstofherself,andthenofHarriet.
`Morethananattachment,indeed,\'resumedMrs.Weston;`anengagement-apositiveengagement-Whatwillyousay,Emma-whatwillanybodysay,whenitisknownthatFrankChurchillandMissFairfaxareengaged;-nay,thattheyhavebeenlongengaged!\'
Emmaevenjumpedwithsurprize;-and,horror-struck,exclaimed,
`JaneFairfax!-GoodGod!Youarenotserious?Youdonotmeanit?\'
`Youmaywellbeamazed,\'returnedMrs.Weston,stillavertinghereyes,andtalkingonwitheagerness,thatEmmamighthavetimetorecover-`Youmaywellbeamazed.Butitisevenso.TherehasbeenasolemnengagementbetweenthemeversinceOctober-formedatWeymouth,andkeptasecretfromeverybody.Notacreatureknowingitbutthemselves-neithertheCampbells,norherfamily,norhis-Itissowonderful,thatthoughperfectlyconvincedofthefact,itisyetalmostincredibletomyself.Icanhardlybelieveit-IthoughtIknewhim.\'
Emmascarcelyheardwhatwassaid-Hermindwasdividedbetweentwoideas-herownformerconversationswithhimaboutMissFairfax;andpoorHarriet;-andforsometimeshecouldonlyexclaim,andrequireconfirmation,repeatedconfirmation.
`Well,\'saidsheatlast,tryingtorecoverherself;`thisisacircumstancewhichImustthinkofatleasthalfaday,beforeIcanatallcomprehendit.What!-engagedtoherallthewinter-beforeeitherofthemcametoHighbury?\'
`EngagedsinceOctober,-secretlyengaged-Ithashurtme,Emma,verymuch.Ithashurthisfatherequally.Somepartofhisconductwecannotexcuse.\'
Emmaponderedamoment,andthenreplied,`Iwillnotpretendnottounderstandyou;andtogiveyouallthereliefinmypower,beassuredthatnosucheffecthasfollowedhisattentionstome,asyouareapprehensiveof.\'
Mrs.Westonlookedup,afraidtobelieve;butEmma\'scountenancewasassteadyasherwords.
`Thatyoumayhavelessdifficultyinbelievingthisboast,ofmypresentperfectindifference,\'shecontinued,`Iwillfarthertellyou,thattherewasaperiodintheearlypartofouracquaintance,whenIdidlikehim,whenIwasverymuchdisposedtobeattachedtohim-nay,wasattached-andhowitcametocease,isperhapsthewonder.Fortunately,however,itdidcease.Ihavereallyforsometimepast,foratleastthesethreemonths,carednothingabouthim.Youmaybelieveme,Mrs.Weston.Thisisthesimpletruth.\'
Mrs.Westonkissedherwithtearsofjoy;andwhenshecouldfindutterance,assuredher,thatthisprotestationhaddonehermoregoodthananythingelseintheworldcoulddo.
`Mr.Westonwillbealmostasmuchrelievedasmyself,\'saidshe.`Onthispointwehavebeenwretched.Itwasourdarlingwishthatyoumightbeattachedtoeachother-andwewerepersuadedthatitwasso-Imaginewhatwehavebeenfeelingonyouraccount.\'
`Ihaveescaped;andthatIshouldescape,maybeamatterofgratefulwondertoyouandmyself.Butthisdoesnotacquithim,Mrs.Weston;andImustsay,thatIthinkhimgreatlytoblame.Whatrighthadhetocomeamonguswithaffectionandfaithengaged,andwithmannerssoverydisengaged?Whatrighthadhetoendeavourtoplease,ashecertainlydid-todistinguishanyoneyoungwomanwithperseveringattention,ashecertainlydid-whilehereallybelongedtoanother?-Howcouldhetellwhatmischiefhemightbedoing?-Howcouldhetellthathemightnotbemakingmeinlovewithhim?-verywrong,verywrongindeed.\'
`Fromsomethingthathesaid,mydearEmma,Iratherimagine-\'
`Andhowcouldshebearsuchbehaviour!Composurewithawitness!tolookon,whilerepeatedattentionswereofferingtoanotherwoman,beforeherface,andnotresentit-Thatisadegreeofplacidity,whichIcanneithercomprehendnorrespect.\'
`Thereweremisunderstandingsbetweenthem,Emma;hesaidsoexpressly.Hehadnottimetoenterintomuchexplanation.Hewashereonlyaquarterofanhour,andinastateofagitationwhichdidnotallowthefulluseevenofthetimehecouldstay-butthattherehadbeenmisunderstandingshedecidedlysaid.Thepresentcrisis,indeed,seemedtobebroughtonbythem;andthosemisunderstandingsmightverypossiblyarisefromtheimproprietyofhisconduct.\'
`Impropriety!Oh!Mrs.Weston-itistoocalmacensure.Much,muchbeyondimpropriety!-Ithassunkhim,Icannotsayhowithassunkhiminmyopinion.Sounlikewhatamanshouldbe!-Noneofthatuprightintegrity,thatstrictadherencetotruthandprinciple,thatdisdainoftrickandlittleness,whichamanshoulddisplayineverytransactionofhislife.\'
`Nay,dearEmma,nowImusttakehispart;forthoughhehasbeenwronginthisinstance,Ihaveknownhimlongenoughtoanswerforhishavingmany,verymany,goodqualities;and-\'
`GoodGod!\'criedEmma,notattendingtoher-`Mrs.Smallridge,too!Janeactuallyonthepointofgoingasgoverness!Whatcouldhemeanbysuchhorribleindelicacy?Tosufferhertoengageherself-tosufferhereventothinkofsuchameasure!\'
`Heknewnothingaboutit,Emma.OnthisarticleIcanfullyacquithim.Itwasaprivateresolutionofhers,notcommunicatedtohim-oratleastnotcommunicatedinawaytocarryconviction-Tillyesterday,Iknowhesaidhewasinthedarkastoherplans.Theyburstonhim,Idonotknowhow,butbysomeletterormessage-anditwasthediscoveryofwhatshewasdoing,ofthisveryprojectofhers,whichdeterminedhimtocomeforwardatonce,ownitalltohisuncle,throwhimselfonhiskindness,and,inshort,putanendtothemiserablestateofconcealmentthathadbeencarryingonsolong.\'
Emmabegantolistenbetter.
`Iamtohearfromhimsoon,\'continuedMrs.Weston.`Hetoldmeatparting,thatheshouldsoonwrite;andhespokeinamannerwhichseemedtopromisememanyparticularsthatcouldnotbegivennow.Letuswait,therefore,forthisletter.Itmaybringmanyextenuations.Itmaymakemanythingsintelligibleandexcusablewhichnowarenottobeunderstood.Don\'tletusbesevere,don\'tletusbeinahurrytocondemnhim.Letushavepatience.Imustlovehim;andnowthatIamsatisfiedononepoint,theonematerialpoint,Iamsincerelyanxiousforitsallturningoutwell,andreadytohopethatitmay.Theymustbothhavesufferedagreatdealundersuchasystemofsecresyandconcealment.\'