Shesoonresolved,equallyasadutyandapleasure,toemployhalfanhourofthisholidayofspiritsincallingonMissFairfax-Sheoughttogo-andshewaslongingtoseeher;theresemblanceoftheirpresentsituationsincreasingeveryothermotiveofgoodwill.Itwouldbeasecretsatisfaction;buttheconsciousnessofasimilarityofprospectwouldcertainlyaddtotheinterestwithwhichsheshouldattendtoanythingJanemightcommunicate.
Shewent-shehaddrivenonceunsuccessfullytothedoor,buthadnotbeenintothehousesincethemorningafterBoxHill,whenpoorJanehadbeeninsuchdistressashadfilledherwithcompassion,thoughalltheworstofhersufferingshadbeenunsuspected-Thefearofbeingstillunwelcome,determinedher,thoughassuredoftheirbeingathome,towaitinthepassage,andsenduphername-SheheardPattyannouncingit;butnosuchbustlesucceededaspoorMissBateshadbeforemadesohappilyintelligible-No;sheheardnothingbuttheinstantreplyof,`Beghertowalkup;\'-andamomentafterwardsshewasmetonthestairsbyJaneherself,comingeagerlyforward,asifnootherreceptionofherwerefeltsufficient-Emmahadneverseenherlooksowell,solovely,soengaging.Therewasconsciousness,animation,andwarmth;therewaseverythingwhichhercountenanceormannercouldeverhavewanted-Shecameforwardwithanofferedhand;andsaid,inalow,butveryfeelingtone,
`Thisismostkind,indeed!-MissWoodhouse,itisimpossibleformetoexpress-Ihopeyouwillbelieve-Excusemeforbeingsoentirelywithoutwords.\'
Emmawasgratified,andwouldsoonhaveshewnnowantofwords,ifthesoundofMrs.Elton\'svoicefromthesitting-roomhadnotcheckedher,andmadeitexpedienttocompressallherfriendlyandallhercongratulatorysensationsintoavery,veryearnestshakeofthehand.
Mrs.BatesandMrs.Eltonweretogether.MissBateswasout,whichaccountedfortheprevioustranquillity.EmmacouldhavewishedMrs.Eltonelsewhere;butshewasinahumourtohavepatiencewitheverybody;andasMrs.Eltonmetherwithunusualgraciousness,shehopedtherencontrewoulddothemnoharm.
ShesoonbelievedherselftopenetrateMrs.Elton\'sthoughts,andunderstandwhyshewas,likeherself,inhappyspirits;itwasbeinginMissFairfax\'sconfidence,andfancyingherselfacquaintedwithwhatwasstillasecrettootherpeople.Emmasawsymptomsofitimmediatelyintheexpressionofherface;andwhilepayingherowncomplimentstoMrs.Bates,andappearingtoattendtothegoodoldlady\'sreplies,shesawherwithasortofanxiousparadeofmysteryfoldupaletterwhichshehadapparentlybeenreadingaloudtoMissFairfax,andreturnitintothepurpleandgoldreticulebyherside,saying,withsignificantnods,
`Wecanfinishthissomeothertime,youknow.YouandIshallnotwantopportunities.And,infact,youhaveheardalltheessentialalready.IonlywantedtoprovetoyouthatMrs.S.admitsourapology,andisnotoffended.Youseehowdelightfullyshewrites.Oh!sheisasweetcreature!Youwouldhavedoatedonher,hadyougone-Butnotawordmore.Letusbediscreet-quiteonourgoodbehaviour-Hush!-Yourememberthoselines-Iforgetthepoematthismoment:
`Forwhenalady\'sinthecase,`Youknowallotherthingsgiveplace.\'
NowIsay,mydear,inourcase,forlady,read——mum!awordtothewise-Iaminafineflowofspirits,an\'tI?ButIwanttosetyourheartateaseastoMrs.S-Myrepresentation,yousee,hasquiteappeasedher.\'
Andagain,onEmma\'smerelyturningherheadtolookatMrs.Bates\'sknitting,sheadded,inahalfwhisper,
`Imentionednonames,youwillobserve-Oh!no;cautiousasaministerofstate.Imanageditextremelywell.\'
Emmacouldnotdoubt.Itwasapalpabledisplay,repeatedoneverypossibleoccasion.WhentheyhadalltalkedalittlewhileinharmonyoftheweatherandMrs.Weston,shefoundherselfabruptlyaddressedwith,
`Donotyouthink,MissWoodhouse,oursaucylittlefriendhereischarminglyrecovered?-DonotyouthinkhercuredoesPerrythehighestcredit?-herewasaside-glanceofgreatmeaningatJane.Uponmyword,Perryhasrestoredherinawonderfulshorttime!-Oh!ifyouhadseenher,asIdid,whenshewasattheworst!\'-AndwhenMrs.BateswassayingsomethingtoEmma,whisperedfarther,`WedonotsayawordofanyassistancethatPerrymighthave;notawordofacertainyoungphysicianfromWindsor-Oh!no;Perryshallhaveallthecredit.\'
`Ihavescarcehadthepleasureofseeingyou,MissWoodhouse,\'sheshortlyafterwardsbegan,`sincethepartytoBoxHill.Verypleasantparty.ButyetIthinktherewassomethingwanting.Thingsdidnotseem-thatis,thereseemedalittleclouduponthespiritsofsome-Soitappearedtomeatleast,butImightbemistaken.However,Ithinkitansweredsofarastotemptonetogoagain.Whatsayyoubothtoourcollectingthesameparty,andexploringtoBoxHillagain,whilethefineweatherlasts?-Itmustbethesameparty,youknow,quitethesameparty,notoneexception.\'
SoonafterthisMissBatescamein,andEmmacouldnothelpbeingdivertedbytheperplexityofherfirstanswertoherself,resulting,shesupposed,fromdoubtofwhatmightbesaid,andimpatiencetosayeverything.
`Thankyou,dearMissWoodhouse,youareallkindness-Itisimpossibletosay-Yes,indeed,Iquiteunderstand-dearestJane\'sprospects-thatis,Idonotmean-Butsheischarminglyrecovered-HowisMr.Woodhouse?-Iamsoglad-Quiteoutofmypower-Suchahappylittlecircleasyoufindushere-Yes,indeed-Charmingyoungman!-thatis-soveryfriendly;ImeangoodMr.Perry!-suchattentiontoJane!\'-Andfromhergreat,hermorethancommonlythankfuldelighttowardsMrs.Eltonforbeingthere,EmmaguessedthattherehadbeenalittleshowofresentmenttowardsJane,fromthevicaragequarter,whichwasnowgraciouslyovercome-Afterafewwhispers,indeed,whichplaceditbeyondaguess,Mrs.Elton,speakinglouder,said,
`Yes,hereIam,mygoodfriend;andhereIhavebeensolong,thatanywhereelseIshouldthinkitnecessarytoapologise;but,thetruthis,thatIamwaitingformylordandmaster.Hepromisedtojoinmehere,andpayhisrespectstoyou.\'
`What!arewetohavethepleasureofacallfromMr.Elton?-Thatwillbeafavourindeed!forIknowgentlemendonotlikemorningvisits,andMr.Elton\'stimeissoengaged.\'
`Uponmyworditis,MissBates-Hereallyisengagedfrommorningtonight-Thereisnoendofpeople\'scomingtohim,onsomepretenceorother-Themagistrates,andoverseers,andchurchwardens,arealwayswantinghisopinion.Theyseemnotabletodoanythingwithouthim-``Uponmyword,Mr.E.,\'\'Ioftensay,``ratheryouthanI-Idonotknowwhatwouldbecomeofmycrayonsandmyinstrument,ifIhadhalfsomanyapplicants.\'\'-Badenoughasitis,forIabsolutelyneglectthembothtoanunpardonabledegree-IbelieveIhavenotplayedabarthisfortnight-However,heiscoming,Iassureyou:yes,indeed,onpurposetowaitonyouall.\'AndputtingupherhandtoscreenherwordsfromEmma-`Acongratulatoryvisit,youknow-Oh!yes,quiteindispensable.\'
MissBateslookedabouther,sohappily!-
`HepromisedtocometomeassoonashecoulddisengagehimselffromKnightley;butheandKnightleyareshutuptogetherindeepconsultation-Mr.E.isKnightley\'srighthand.\'
Emmawouldnothavesmiledfortheworld,andonlysaid,`IsMr.EltongoneonfoottoDonwell?-Hewillhaveahotwalk.\'
`Oh!no,itisameetingattheCrown,aregularmeeting.WestonandColewillbetheretoo;butoneisapttospeakonlyofthosewholead-IfancyMr.E.andKnightleyhaveeverythingtheirownway.\'
`Havenotyoumistakentheday?\'saidEmma.`IamalmostcertainthatthemeetingattheCrownisnottillto-morrow-Mr.KnightleywasatHartfieldyesterday,andspokeofitasforSaturday.\'
`Oh!no,themeetingiscertainlyto-day,\'wastheabruptanswer,whichdenotedtheimpossibilityofanyblunderonMrs.Elton\'sside-`Idobelieve,\'shecontinued,`thisisthemosttroublesomeparishthateverwas.WeneverheardofsuchthingsatMapleGrove.\'
`Yourparishtherewassmall,\'saidJane.
`Uponmyword,mydear,Idonotknow,forIneverheardthesubjecttalkedof.\'
`Butitisprovedbythesmallnessoftheschool,whichIhaveheardyouspeakof,asunderthepatronageofyoursisterandMrs.Bragge;theonlyschool,andnotmorethanfive-and-twentychildren.\'
`Ah!youclevercreature,that\'sverytrue.Whatathinkingbrainyouhave!Isay,Jane,whataperfectcharacteryouandIshouldmake,ifwecouldbeshakentogether.Mylivelinessandyoursoliditywouldproduceperfection-NotthatIpresumetoinsinuate,however,thatsomepeoplemaynotthinkyouperfectionalready-Buthush!-notaword,ifyouplease.\'
Itseemedanunnecessarycaution;Janewaswantingtogiveherwords,nottoMrs.Elton,buttoMissWoodhouse,asthelatterplainlysaw.Thewishofdistinguishingher,asfarascivilitypermitted,wasveryevident,thoughitcouldnotoftenproceedbeyondalook.
Mr.Eltonmadehisappearance.Hisladygreetedhimwithsomeofhersparklingvivacity.
`Verypretty,sir,uponmyword;tosendmeonhere,tobeanencumbrancetomyfriends,solongbeforeyouvouchsafetocome!-Butyouknewwhatadutifulcreatureyouhadtodealwith.YouknewIshouldnotstirtillmylordandmasterappeared-HerehaveIbeensittingthishour,givingtheseyoungladiesasampleoftrueconjugalobedience-forwhocansay,youknow,howsoonitmaybewanted?\'
Mr.Eltonwassohotandtired,thatallthiswitseemedthrownaway.Hiscivilitiestotheotherladiesmustbepaid;buthissubsequentobjectwastolamentoverhimselffortheheathewassuffering,andthewalkhehadhadfornothing.
`WhenIgottoDonwell,\'saidhe,`Knightleycouldnotbefound.Veryodd!veryunaccountable!afterthenoteIsenthimthismorning,andthemessagehereturned,thatheshouldcertainlybeathometillone.\'
`Donwell!\'criedhiswife-`MydearMr.E.,youhavenotbeentoDonwell!-YoumeantheCrown;youcomefromthemeetingattheCrown.\'
`No,no,that\'sto-morrow;andIparticularlywantedtoseeKnightleyto-dayonthatveryaccount-Suchadreadfulbroilingmorning!-Iwentoverthefieldstoo-speakinginatoneofgreatill-usage,whichmadeitsomuchtheworse.Andthennottofindhimathome!IassureyouIamnotatallpleased.Andnoapologyleft,nomessageforme.Thehousekeeperdeclaredsheknewnothingofmybeingexpected-Veryextraordinary!-Andnobodyknewatallwhichwayhewasgone.PerhapstoHartfield,perhapstotheAbbeyMill,perhapsintohiswoods-MissWoodhouse,thisisnotlikeourfriendKnightley!-Canyouexplainit?\'
Emmaamusedherselfbyprotestingthatitwasveryextraordinary,indeed,andthatshehadnotasyllabletosayforhim.
`Icannotimagine,\'saidMrs.Elton,feelingtheindignityasawifeoughttodo,`Icannotimaginehowhecoulddosuchathingbyyou,ofallpeopleintheworld!Theverylastpersonwhomoneshouldexpecttobeforgotten!-MydearMr.E.,hemusthaveleftamessageforyou,Iamsurehemust-NotevenKnightleycouldbesoveryeccentric;-andhisservantsforgotit.Dependuponit,thatwasthecase:andverylikelytohappenwiththeDonwellservants,whoareall,Ihaveoftenobserved,extremelyawkwardandremiss-IamsureIwouldnothavesuchacreatureashisHarrystandatoursideboardforanyconsideration.AndasforMrs.Hodges,Wrightholdsherverycheapindeed-ShepromisedWrightareceipt,andneversentit.\'
`ImetWilliamLarkins,\'continuedMr.Elton,`asIgotnearthehouse,andhetoldmeIshouldnotfindhismasterathome,butIdidnotbelievehim-Williamseemedratheroutofhumour.Hedidnotknowwhatwascometohismasterlately,hesaid,buthecouldhardlyevergetthespeechofhim.IhavenothingtodowithWilliam\'swants,butitreallyisofverygreatimportancethatIshouldseeKnightleyto-day;anditbecomesamatter,therefore,ofveryseriousinconveniencethatIshouldhavehadthishotwalktonopurpose.\'
Emmafeltthatshecouldnotdobetterthangohomedirectly.Inallprobabilityshewasatthisverytimewaitedforthere;andMr.KnightleymightbepreservedfromsinkingdeeperinaggressiontowardsMr.Elton,ifnottowardsWilliamLarkins.
Shewaspleased,ontakingleave,tofindMissFairfaxdeterminedtoattendheroutoftheroom,togowithherevendownstairs;itgaveheranopportunitywhichsheimmediatelymadeuseof,tosay,
`Itisaswell,perhaps,thatIhavenothadthepossibility.Hadyounotbeensurroundedbyotherfriends,Imighthavebeentemptedtointroduceasubject,toaskquestions,tospeakmoreopenlythanmighthavebeenstrictlycorrect-IfeelthatIshouldcertainlyhavebeenimpertinent.\'
`Oh!\'criedJane,withablushandanhesitationwhichEmmathoughtinfinitelymorebecomingtoherthanalltheeleganceofallherusualcomposure-`therewouldhavebeennodanger.Thedangerwouldhavebeenofmywearyingyou.Youcouldnothavegratifiedmemorethanbyexpressinganinterest.Indeed,MissWoodhouse,speakingmorecollectedly,withtheconsciousnesswhichIhaveofmisconduct,verygreatmisconduct,itisparticularlyconsolingtometoknowthatthoseofmyfriends,whosegoodopinionismostworthpreserving,arenotdisgustedtosuchadegreeasto-IhavenottimeforhalfthatIcouldwishtosay.Ilongtomakeapologies,excuses,tourgesomethingformyself.Ifeelitsoverydue.But,unfortunately-inshort,ifyourcompassiondoesnotstandmyfriend-\'
`Oh!youaretooscrupulous,indeedyouare,\'criedEmmawarmly,andtakingherhand.`Youowemenoapologies;andeverybodytowhomyoumightbesupposedtoowethem,issoperfectlysatisfied,sodelightedeven-\'
`Youareverykind,butIknowwhatmymannersweretoyou-Socoldandartificial!-Ihadalwaysaparttoact-Itwasalifeofdeceit!-IknowthatImusthavedisgustedyou.\'
`Praysaynomore.Ifeelthatalltheapologiesshouldbeonmyside.Letusforgiveeachotheratonce.Wemustdowhateveristobedonequickest,andIthinkourfeelingswilllosenotimethere.IhopeyouhavepleasantaccountsfromWindsor?\'
`Very.\'
`Andthenextnews,Isuppose,willbe,thatwearetoloseyou-justasIbegintoknowyou.\'
`Oh!astoallthat,ofcoursenothingcanbethoughtofyet.IamheretillclaimedbyColonelandMrs.Campbell.\'
`Nothingcanbeactuallysettledyet,perhaps,\'repliedEmma,smiling-`but,excuseme,itmustbethoughtof.\'
ThesmilewasreturnedasJaneanswered,
`Youareveryright;ithasbeenthoughtof.AndIwillowntoyou,Iamsureitwillbesafe,thatsofarasourlivingwithMr.ChurchillatEnscombe,itissettled.Theremustbethreemonths,atleast,ofdeepmourning;butwhentheyareover,Iimaginetherewillbenothingmoretowaitfor.\'
`Thankyou,thankyou-ThisisjustwhatIwantedtobeassuredof-Oh!ifyouknewhowmuchIloveeverythingthatisdecidedandopen!-Good-bye,good-bye.\'
CHAPTERXVII
Mrs.Weston\'sfriendswereallmadehappybyhersafety;andifthesatisfactionofherwell-doingcouldbeincreasedtoEmma,itwasbyknowinghertobethemotherofalittlegirl.ShehadbeendecidedinwishingforaMissWeston.Shewouldnotacknowledgethatitwaswithanyviewofmakingamatchforher,hereafter,witheitherofIsabella\'ssons;butshewasconvincedthatadaughterwouldsuitbothfatherandmotherbest.ItwouldbeagreatcomforttoMr.Weston,ashegrewolder-andevenMr.Westonmightbegrowingoldertenyearshence-tohavehisfiresideenlivenedbythesportsandthenonsense,thefreaksandthefanciesofachildneverbanishedfromhome;andMrs.Weston-noonecoulddoubtthatadaughterwouldbemosttoher;anditwouldbequiteapitythatanyonewhosowellknewhowtoteach,shouldnothavetheirpowersinexerciseagain.
`Shehashadtheadvantage,youknow,ofpractisingonme,\'shecontinued-`likeLaBaronned\'AlmaneonLaComtessed\'Ostalis,inMadamedeGenlis\'AdelaideandTheodore,andweshallnowseeherownlittleAdelaideeducatedonamoreperfectplan.\'
`Thatis,\'repliedMr.Knightley,`shewillindulgeherevenmorethanshedidyou,andbelievethatshedoesnotindulgeheratall.Itwillbetheonlydifference.\'
`Poorchild!\'criedEmma;`atthatrate,whatwillbecomeofher?\'
`Nothingverybad-Thefateofthousands.Shewillbedisagreeableininfancy,andcorrectherselfasshegrowsolder.Iamlosingallmybitternessagainstspoiltchildren,mydearestEmma.I,whoamowingallmyhappinesstoyou,wouldnotitbehorribleingratitudeinmetobesevereonthem?\'
Emmalaughed,andreplied:`ButIhadtheassistanceofallyourendeavourstocounteracttheindulgenceofotherpeople.Idoubtwhethermyownsensewouldhavecorrectedmewithoutit.\'
`Doyou?-Ihavenodoubt.Naturegaveyouunderstanding:-MissTaylorgaveyouprinciples.Youmusthavedonewell.Myinterferencewasquiteaslikelytodoharmasgood.Itwasverynaturalforyoutosay,whatrighthashetolectureme?-andIamafraidverynaturalforyoutofeelthatitwasdoneinadisagreeablemanner.IdonotbelieveIdidyouanygood.Thegoodwasalltomyself,bymakingyouanobjectofthetenderestaffectiontome.Icouldnotthinkaboutyousomuchwithoutdoatingonyou,faultsandall;andbydintoffancyingsomanyerrors,havebeeninlovewithyoueversinceyouwerethirteenatleast.\'
`Iamsureyouwereofusetome,\'criedEmma.`Iwasveryofteninfluencedrightlybyyou-oftenerthanIwouldownatthetime.Iamverysureyoudidmegood.AndifpoorlittleAnnaWestonistobespoiled,itwillbethegreatesthumanityinyoutodoasmuchforherasyouhavedoneforme,exceptfallinginlovewithherwhensheisthirteen.\'
`Howoften,whenyouwereagirl,haveyousaidtome,withoneofyoursaucylooks-``Mr.Knightley,Iamgoingtodoso-and-so;papasaysImay,orIhaveMissTaylor\'sleave\'\'-somethingwhich,youknew,Ididnotapprove.Insuchcasesmyinterferencewasgivingyoutwobadfeelingsinsteadofone.\'
`WhatanamiablecreatureIwas!-Nowonderyoushouldholdmyspeechesinsuchaffectionateremembrance.\'
```Mr.Knightley.\'\'-Youalwayscalledme,``Mr.Knightley;\'\'and,fromhabit,ithasnotsoveryformalasound-Andyetitisformal.Iwantyoutocallmesomethingelse,butIdonotknowwhat.\'
`Irememberoncecallingyou``George,\'\'inoneofmyamiablefits,abouttenyearsago.IdiditbecauseIthoughtitwouldoffendyou;but,asyoumadenoobjection,Ineverdiditagain.\'
`Andcannotyoucallme``George\'\'now?\'
`Impossible!-Inevercancallyouanythingbut``Mr.Knightley.\'\'IwillnotpromiseeventoequaltheeleganttersenessofMrs.Elton,bycallingyouMr.K-ButIwillpromise,\'sheaddedpresently,laughingandblushing-`IwillpromisetocallyouoncebyyourChristianname.Idonotsaywhen,butperhapsyoumayguesswhere;-inthebuildinginwhichN.takesM.forbetter,forworse.\'
Emmagrievedthatshecouldnotbemoreopenlyjusttooneimportantservicewhichhisbettersensewouldhaverenderedher,totheadvicewhichwouldhavesavedherfromtheworstofallherwomanlyfollies-herwilfulintimacywithHarrietSmith;butitwastootenderasubject-Shecouldnotenteronit-Harrietwasveryseldommentionedbetweenthem.This,onhisside,mightmerelyproceedfromhernotbeingthoughtof;butEmmawasratherinclinedtoattributeittodelicacy,andasuspicion,fromsomeappearances,thattheirfriendshipweredeclining.Shewasawareherself,that,partingunderanyothercircumstances,theycertainlyshouldhavecorrespondedmore,andthatherintelligencewouldnothaverested,asitnowalmostwhollydid,onIsabella\'sletters.Hemightobservethatitwasso.Thepainofbeingobligedtopractiseconcealmenttowardshim,wasverylittleinferiortothepainofhavingmadeHarrietunhappy.
Isabellasentquiteasgoodanaccountofhervisitorascouldbeexpected;onherfirstarrivalshehadthoughtheroutofspirits,whichappearedperfectlynatural,astherewasadentisttobeconsulted;but,sincethatbusinesshadbeenover,shedidnotappeartofindHarrietdifferentfromwhatshehadknownherbefore-Isabella,tobesure,wasnoveryquickobserver;yetifHarriethadnotbeenequaltoplayingwiththechildren,itwouldnothaveescapedher.Emma\'scomfortsandhopesweremostagreeablycarriedon,byHarriet\'sbeingtostaylonger;herfortnightwaslikelytobeamonthatleast.Mr.andMrs.JohnKnightleyweretocomedowninAugust,andshewasinvitedtoremaintilltheycouldbringherback.
`Johndoesnotevenmentionyourfriend,\'saidMr.Knightley.`Hereishisanswer,ifyouliketoseeit.\'
Itwastheanswertothecommunicationofhisintendedmarriage.Emmaaccepteditwithaveryeagerhand,withanimpatienceallalivetoknowwhathewouldsayaboutit,andnotatallcheckedbyhearingthatherfriendwasunmentioned.
`Johnenterslikeabrotherintomyhappiness,\'continuedMr.Knightley,`butheisnocomplimenter;andthoughIwellknowhimtohave,likewise,amostbrotherlyaffectionforyou,heissofarfrommakingflourishes,thatanyotheryoungwomanmightthinkhimrathercoolinherpraise.ButIamnotafraidofyourseeingwhathewrites.\'
`Hewriteslikeasensibleman,\'repliedEmma,whenshehadreadtheletter.`Ihonourhissincerity.Itisveryplainthatheconsidersthegoodfortuneoftheengagementasallonmyside,butthatheisnotwithouthopeofmygrowing,intime,asworthyofyouraffection,asyouthinkmealready.Hadhesaidanythingtobearadifferentconstruction,Ishouldnothavebelievedhim.\'
`MyEmma,hemeansnosuchthing.Heonlymeans-\'
`HeandIshoulddifferverylittleinourestimationofthetwo,\'interruptedshe,withasortofserioussmile-`muchless,perhaps,thanheisawareof,ifwecouldenterwithoutceremonyorreserveonthesubject.\'
`Emma,mydearEmma-\'
`Oh!\'shecriedwithmorethoroughgaiety,`ifyoufancyyourbrotherdoesnotdomejustice,onlywaittillmydearfatherisinthesecret,andhearhisopinion.Dependuponit,hewillbemuchfartherfromdoingyoujustice.Hewillthinkallthehappiness,alltheadvantage,onyoursideofthequestion;allthemeritonmine.IwishImaynotsinkinto``poorEmma\'\'withhimatonce-Histendercompassiontowardsoppressedworthcangonofarther.\'
`Ah!\'hecried,`IwishyourfathermightbehalfaseasilyconvincedasJohnwillbe,ofourhavingeveryrightthatequalworthcangive,tobehappytogether.IamamusedbyonepartofJohn\'sletter-didyounoticeit?-wherehesays,thatmyinformationdidnottakehimwhollybysurprize,thathewasratherinexpectationofhearingsomethingofthekind.\'
`IfIunderstandyourbrother,heonlymeanssofarasyourhavingsomethoughtsofmarrying.Hehadnoideaofme.Heseemsperfectlyunpreparedforthat.\'
`Yes,yes-butIamamusedthatheshouldhaveseensofarintomyfeelings.Whathashebeenjudgingby?-Iamnotconsciousofanydifferenceinmyspiritsorconversationthatcouldpreparehimatthistimeformymarryinganymorethanatanother-Butitwasso,Isuppose.IdaresaytherewasadifferencewhenIwasstayingwiththemtheotherday.IbelieveIdidnotplaywiththechildrenquitesomuchasusual.Irememberoneeveningthepoorboyssaying,``Uncleseemsalwaystirednow.\'\'\'
Thetimewascomingwhenthenewsmustspreadfarther,andotherpersons\'receptionofittried.AssoonasMrs.WestonwassufficientlyrecoveredtoadmitMr.Woodhouse\'svisits,Emmahavingitinviewthathergentlereasoningsshouldbeemployedinthecause,resolvedfirsttoannounceitathome,andthenatRandalls-Buthowtobreakittoherfatheratlast!-Shehadboundherselftodoit,insuchanhourofMr.Knightley\'sabsence,orwhenitcametothepointherheartwouldhavefailedher,andshemusthaveputitoff;butMr.Knightleywastocomeatsuchatime,andfollowupthebeginningshewastomake-Shewasforcedtospeak,andtospeakcheerfullytoo.Shemustnotmakeitamoredecidedsubjectofmiserytohim,byamelancholytoneherself.Shemustnotappeartothinkitamisfortune-Withallthespiritsshecouldcommand,shepreparedhimfirstforsomethingstrange,andthen,inafewwords,said,thatifhisconsentandapprobationcouldbeobtained-which,shetrusted,wouldbeattendedwithnodifficulty,sinceitwasaplantopromotethehappinessofall-sheandMr.Knightleymeanttomarry;bywhichmeansHartfieldwouldreceivetheconstantadditionofthatperson\'scompanywhomsheknewheloved,nexttohisdaughtersandMrs.Weston,bestintheworld.
Poorman!-itwasatfirstaconsiderableshocktohim,andhetriedearnestlytodissuadeherfromit.Shewasreminded,morethanonce,ofhavingalwayssaidshewouldnevermarry,andassuredthatitwouldbeagreatdealbetterforhertoremainsingle;andtoldofpoorIsabella,andpoorMissTaylor-Butitwouldnotdo.Emmahungabouthimaffectionately,andsmiled,andsaiditmustbeso;andthathemustnotclassherwithIsabellaandMrs.Weston,whosemarriagestakingthemfromHartfield,had,indeed,madeamelancholychange:butshewasnotgoingfromHartfield;sheshouldbealwaysthere;shewasintroducingnochangeintheirnumbersortheircomfortsbutforthebetter;andshewasverysurethathewouldbeagreatdealthehappierforhavingMr.Knightleyalwaysathand,whenhewereoncegotusedtotheidea-DidhenotloveMr.Knightleyverymuch?-Hewouldnotdenythathedid,shewassure-WhomdidheeverwanttoconsultonbusinessbutMr.Knightley?-Whowassousefultohim,whosoreadytowritehisletters,whosogladtoassisthim?-Whosocheerful,soattentive,soattachedtohim?-Wouldnotheliketohavehimalwaysonthespot?-Yes.Thatwasallverytrue.Mr.Knightleycouldnotbetheretoooften;heshouldbegladtoseehimeveryday;-buttheydidseehimeverydayasitwas-Whycouldnottheygoonastheyhaddone?
Mr.Woodhousecouldnotbesoonreconciled;buttheworstwasovercome,theideawasgiven;timeandcontinualrepetitionmustdotherest-ToEmma\'sentreatiesandassurancessucceededMr.Knightley\'s,whosefondpraiseofhergavethesubjectevenakindofwelcome;andhewassoonusedtobetalkedtobyeach,oneveryfairoccasion-TheyhadalltheassistancewhichIsabellacouldgive,bylettersofthestrongestapprobation;andMrs.Westonwasready,onthefirstmeeting,toconsiderthesubjectinthemostserviceablelight-first,asasettled,and,secondly,asagoodone-wellawareofthenearlyequalimportanceofthetworecommendationstoMr.Woodhouse\'smind-Itwasagreedupon,aswhatwastobe;andeverybodybywhomhewasusedtobeguidedassuringhimthatitwouldbeforhishappiness;andhavingsomefeelingshimselfwhichalmostadmittedit,hebegantothinkthatsometimeorother-inanotheryearortwo,perhaps-itmightnotbesoverybadifthemarriagedidtakeplace.
Mrs.Westonwasactingnopart,feigningnofeelingsinallthatshesaidtohiminfavouroftheevent-Shehadbeenextremelysurprized,nevermoreso,thanwhenEmmafirstopenedtheaffairtoher;butshesawinitonlyincreaseofhappinesstoall,andhadnoscrupleinurginghimtotheutmost-ShehadsucharegardforMr.Knightley,astothinkhedeservedevenherdearestEmma;anditwasineveryrespectsoproper,suitable,andunexceptionableaconnexion,andinonerespect,onepointofthehighestimportance,sopeculiarlyeligible,sosingularlyfortunate,thatnowitseemedasifEmmacouldnotsafelyhaveattachedherselftoanyothercreature,andthatshehadherselfbeenthestupidestofbeingsinnothavingthoughtofit,andwisheditlongago-HowveryfewofthosemeninarankoflifetoaddressEmmawouldhaverenouncedtheirownhomeforHartfield!AndwhobutMr.KnightleycouldknowandbearwithMr.Woodhouse,soastomakesuchanarrangementdesirable!-ThedifficultyofdisposingofpoorMr.Woodhousehadbeenalwaysfeltinherhusband\'splansandherown,foramarriagebetweenFrankandEmma.HowtosettletheclaimsofEnscombeandHartfieldhadbeenacontinualimpediment-lessacknowledgedbyMr.Westonthanbyherself-butevenhehadneverbeenabletofinishthesubjectbetterthanbysaying-`Thosematterswilltakecareofthemselves;theyoungpeoplewillfindaway.\'Butheretherewasnothingtobeshiftedoffinawildspeculationonthefuture.Itwasallright,allopen,allequal.Nosacrificeonanysideworththename.Itwasaunionofthehighestpromiseoffelicityinitself,andwithoutonereal,rationaldifficultytoopposeordelayit.
Mrs.Weston,withherbabyonherknee,indulginginsuchreflectionsasthese,wasoneofthehappiestwomenintheworld.Ifanythingcouldincreaseherdelight,itwasperceivingthatthebabywouldsoonhaveoutgrownitsfirstsetofcaps.
Thenewswasuniversallyasurprizewhereveritspread;andMr.Westonhadhisfiveminutesshareofit;butfiveminuteswereenoughtofamiliarisetheideatohisquicknessofmind-Hesawtheadvantagesofthematch,andrejoicedinthemwithalltheconstancyofhiswife;butthewonderofitwasverysoonnothing;andbytheendofanhourhewasnotfarfrombelievingthathehadalwaysforeseenit.