Itistobeasecret,Iconclude,\'saidhe.`Thesemattersarealwaysasecret,tillitisfoundoutthateverybodyknowsthem.OnlyletmebetoldwhenImayspeakout-IwonderwhetherJanehasanysuspicion.\'
HewenttoHighburythenextmorning,andsatisfiedhimselfonthatpoint.Hetoldherthenews.Wasnotshelikeadaughter,hiseldestdaughter?-hemusttellher;andMissBatesbeingpresent,itpassed,ofcourse,toMrs.Cole,Mrs.Perry,andMrs.Elton,immediatelyafterwards.Itwasnomorethantheprincipalswerepreparedfor;theyhadcalculatedfromthetimeofitsbeingknownatRandalls,howsoonitwouldbeoverHighbury;andwerethinkingofthemselves,astheeveningwonderinmanyafamilycircle,withgreatsagacity.
Ingeneral,itwasaverywellapprovedmatch.Somemightthinkhim,andothersmightthinkher,themostinluck.OnesetmightrecommendtheirallremovingtoDonwell,andleavingHartfieldfortheJohnKnightleys;andanothermightpredictdisagreementsamongtheirservants;butyet,uponthewhole,therewasnoseriousobjectionraised,exceptinonehabitation,theVicarage-There,thesurprizewasnotsoftenedbyanysatisfaction.Mr.Eltoncaredlittleaboutit,comparedwithhiswife;heonlyhoped`theyounglady\'spridewouldnowbecontented;\'andsupposed`shehadalwaysmeanttocatchKnightleyifshecould;\'and,onthepointoflivingatHartfield,coulddaringlyexclaim,`RatherhethanI!\'-ButMrs.Eltonwasverymuchdiscomposedindeed-`PoorKnightley!poorfellow!-sadbusinessforhim-Shewasextremelyconcerned;for,thoughveryeccentric,hehadathousandgoodqualities-Howcouldhebesotakenin?-Didnotthinkhimatallinlove-notintheleast-PoorKnightley!-Therewouldbeanendofallpleasantintercoursewithhim-Howhappyhehadbeentocomeanddinewiththemwhenevertheyaskedhim!Butthatwouldbeallovernow-Poorfellow!-NomoreexploringpartiestoDonwellmadeforher.Oh!no;therewouldbeaMrs.Knightleytothrowcoldwateroneverything-Extremelydisagreeable!Butshewasnotatallsorrythatshehadabusedthehousekeepertheotherday-Shockingplan,livingtogether.Itwouldneverdo.SheknewafamilynearMapleGrovewhohadtriedit,andbeenobligedtoseparatebeforetheendofthefirstquarter.
CHAPTERXVIII
Timepassedon.Afewmoreto-morrows,andthepartyfromLondonwouldbearriving.Itwasanalarmingchange;andEmmawasthinkingofitonemorning,aswhatmustbringagreatdealtoagitateandgrieveher,whenMr.Knightleycamein,anddistressingthoughtswereputby.Afterthefirstchatofpleasurehewassilent;andthen,inagravertone,beganwith,
`Ihavesomethingtotellyou,Emma;somenews.\'
`Goodorbad?\'saidshe,quickly,lookingupinhisface.
`Idonotknowwhichitoughttobecalled.\'
`Oh!goodIamsure-Iseeitinyourcountenance.Youaretryingnottosmile.\'
`Iamafraid,\'saidhe,composinghisfeatures,`Iamverymuchafraid,mydearEmma,thatyouwillnotsmilewhenyouhearit.\'
`Indeed!butwhyso?-Icanhardlyimaginethatanythingwhichpleasesoramusesyou,shouldnotpleaseandamusemetoo.\'
`Thereisonesubject,\'hereplied,`Ihopebutone,onwhichwedonotthinkalike.\'Hepausedamoment,againsmiling,withhiseyesfixedonherface.`Doesnothingoccurtoyou?-Donotyourecollect?-HarrietSmith.\'
Hercheeksflushedatthename,andshefeltafraidofsomething,thoughsheknewnotwhat.
`Haveyouheardfromheryourselfthismorning?\'criedhe.`Youhave,Ibelieve,andknowthewhole.\'
`No,Ihavenot;Iknownothing;praytellme.\'
`Youarepreparedfortheworst,Isee-andverybaditis.HarrietSmithmarriesRobertMartin.\'
Emmagaveastart,whichdidnotseemlikebeingprepared-andhereyes,ineagergaze,said,`No,thisisimpossible!\'butherlipswereclosed.
`Itisso,indeed,\'continuedMr.Knightley;`IhaveitfromRobertMartinhimself.Heleftmenothalfanhourago.\'
Shewasstilllookingathimwiththemostspeakingamazement.
`Youlikeit,myEmma,aslittleasIfeared-Iwishouropinionswerethesame.Butintimetheywill.Time,youmaybesure,willmakeoneortheotherofusthinkdifferently;and,inthemeanwhile,weneednottalkmuchonthesubject.\'
`Youmistakeme,youquitemistakeme,\'shereplied,exertingherself.`Itisnotthatsuchacircumstancewouldnowmakemeunhappy,butIcannotbelieveit.Itseemsanimpossibility!-Youcannotmeantosay,thatHarrietSmithhasacceptedRobertMartin.Youcannotmeanthathehasevenproposedtoheragain-yet.Youonlymean,thatheintendsit.\'
`Imeanthathehasdoneit,\'answeredMr.Knightley,withsmilingbutdetermineddecision,`andbeenaccepted.\'
`GoodGod!\'shecried-`Well!\'-Thenhavingrecoursetoherworkbasket,inexcuseforleaningdownherface,andconcealingalltheexquisitefeelingsofdelightandentertainmentwhichsheknewshemustbeexpressing,sheadded,`Well,nowtellmeeverything;makethisintelligibletome.How,where,when?-Letmeknowitall.Ineverwasmoresurprized-butitdoesnotmakemeunhappy,Iassureyou-How-howhasitbeenpossible?\'
`Itisaverysimplestory.Hewenttotownonbusinessthreedaysago,andIgothimtotakechargeofsomepaperswhichIwaswantingtosendtoJohn-HedeliveredthesepaperstoJohn,athischambers,andwasaskedbyhimtojointheirpartythesameeveningtoAstley\'s.TheyweregoingtotakethetwoeldestboystoAstley\'s.Thepartywastobeourbrotherandsister,Henry,John-andMissSmith.MyfriendRobertcouldnotresist.Theycalledforhimintheirway;wereallextremelyamused;andmybrotheraskedhimtodinewiththemthenextday-whichhedid-andinthecourseofthatvisitasIunderstandhefoundanopportunityofspeakingtoHarriet;andcertainlydidnotspeakinvain-Shemadehim,byheracceptance,ashappyevenasheisdeserving.Hecamedownbyyesterday\'scoach,andwaswithmethismorningimmediatelyafterbreakfast,toreporthisproceedings,firstonmyaffairs,andthenonhisown.ThisisallthatIcanrelateofthehow,where,andwhen.YourfriendHarrietwillmakeamuchlongerhistorywhenyouseeher-Shewillgiveyoualltheminuteparticulars,whichonlywoman\'slanguagecanmakeinteresting-Inourcommunicationswedealonlyinthegreat-However,Imustsay,thatRobertMartin\'sheartseemedforhim,andtome,veryoverflowing;andthathedidmention,withoutitsbeingmuchtothepurpose,thatonquittingtheirboxatAstley\'s,mybrothertookchargeofMrs.JohnKnightleyandlittleJohn,andhefollowedwithMissSmithandHenry;andthatatonetimetheywereinsuchacrowd,astomakeMissSmithratheruneasy.\'
Hestopped-Emmadarednotattemptanyimmediatereply.Tospeak,shewassurewouldbetobetrayamostunreasonabledegreeofhappiness.Shemustwaitamoment,orhewouldthinkhermad.Hersilencedisturbedhim;andafterobservingheralittlewhile,headded,
`Emma,mylove,yousaidthatthiscircumstancewouldnotnowmakeyouunhappy;butIamafraiditgivesyoumorepainthanyouexpected.Hissituationisanevil-butyoumustconsideritaswhatsatisfiesyourfriend;andIwillanswerforyourthinkingbetterandbetterofhimasyouknowhimmore.Hisgoodsenseandgoodprincipleswoulddelightyou-Asfarasthemanisconcerned,youcouldnotwishyourfriendinbetterhands.HisrankinsocietyIwouldalterifIcould,whichissayingagreatdealIassureyou,Emma-YoulaughatmeaboutWilliamLarkins;butIcouldquiteasillspareRobertMartin.\'
Hewantedhertolookupandsmile;andhavingnowbroughtherselfnottosmiletoobroadly-shedid-cheerfullyanswering,
`Youneednotbeatanypainstoreconcilemetothematch.IthinkHarrietisdoingextremelywell.Herconnexionsmaybeworsethanhis.Inrespectabilityofcharacter,therecanbenodoubtthattheyare.Ihavebeensilentfromsurprizemerely,excessivesurprize.Youcannotimaginehowsuddenlyithascomeonme!howpeculiarlyunpreparedIwas!-forIhadreasontobelieveherverylatelymoredeterminedagainsthim,muchmore,thanshewasbefore.\'
`Yououghttoknowyourfriendbest,\'repliedMr.Knightley;`butIshouldsayshewasagood-tempered,soft-heartedgirl,notlikelytobevery,verydeterminedagainstanyyoungmanwhotoldherhelovedher.\'
Emmacouldnothelplaughingassheanswered,`Uponmyword,IbelieveyouknowherquiteaswellasIdo-But,Mr.Knightley,areyouperfectlysurethatshehasabsolutelyanddownrightacceptedhim.Icouldsupposeshemightintime-butcanshealready?-Didnotyoumisunderstandhim?-Youwerebothtalkingofotherthings;ofbusiness,showsofcattle,ornewdrills-andmightnotyou,intheconfusionofsomanysubjects,mistakehim?-ItwasnotHarriet\'shandthathewascertainof-itwasthedimensionsofsomefamousox.\'
ThecontrastbetweenthecountenanceandairofMr.KnightleyandRobertMartinwas,atthismoment,sostrongtoEmma\'sfeelings,andsostrongwastherecollectionofallthathadsorecentlypassedonHarriet\'sside,sofreshthesoundofthosewords,spokenwithsuchemphasis,`No,IhopeIknowbetterthantothinkofRobertMartin,\'thatshewasreallyexpectingtheintelligencetoprove,insomemeasure,premature.Itcouldnotbeotherwise.
`Doyoudaresaythis?\'criedMr.Knightley.`Doyoudaretosupposemesogreatablockhead,asnottoknowwhatamanistalkingof?-Whatdoyoudeserve?\'
`Oh!Ialwaysdeservethebesttreatment,becauseIneverputupwithanyother;and,therefore,youmustgivemeaplain,directanswer.AreyouquitesurethatyouunderstandthetermsonwhichMr.MartinandHarrietnoware?\'
`Iamquitesure,\'hereplied,speakingverydistinctly,`thathetoldmeshehadacceptedhim;andthattherewasnoobscurity,nothingdoubtful,inthewordsheused;andIthinkIcangiveyouaproofthatitmustbeso.Heaskedmyopinionastowhathewasnowtodo.HeknewofnoonebutMrs.Goddardtowhomhecouldapplyforinformationofherrelationsorfriends.CouldImentionanythingmorefittobedone,thantogotoMrs.Goddard?IassuredhimthatIcouldnot.Then,hesaid,hewouldendeavourtoseeherinthecourseofthisday.\'
`Iamperfectlysatisfied,\'repliedEmma,withthebrightestsmiles,`andmostsincerelywishthemhappy.\'
`Youaremateriallychangedsincewetalkedonthissubjectbefore.\'
`Ihopeso-foratthattimeIwasafool.\'
`AndIamchangedalso;forIamnowverywillingtograntyouallHarriet\'sgoodqualities.Ihavetakensomepainsforyoursake,andforRobertMartin\'ssake,whomIhavealwayshadreasontobelieveasmuchinlovewithherasever,togetacquaintedwithher.Ihaveoftentalkedtoheragooddeal.YoumusthaveseenthatIdid.Sometimes,indeed,IhavethoughtyouwerehalfsuspectingmeofpleadingpoorMartin\'scause,whichwasneverthecase;but,fromallmyobservations,Iamconvincedofherbeinganartless,amiablegirl,withverygoodnotions,veryseriouslygoodprinciples,andplacingherhappinessintheaffectionsandutilityofdomesticlife-Muchofthis,Ihavenodoubt,shemaythankyoufor.\'
`Me!\'criedEmma,shakingherhead-`Ah!poorHarriet!\'
Shecheckedherself,however,andsubmittedquietlytoalittlemorepraisethanshedeserved.
Theirconversationwassoonafterwardsclosedbytheentranceofherfather.Shewasnotsorry.Shewantedtobealone.Hermindwasinastateofflutterandwonder,whichmadeitimpossibleforhertobecollected.Shewasindancing,singing,exclaimingspirits;andtillshehadmovedabout,andtalkedtoherself,andlaughedandreflected,shecouldbefitfornothingrational.
Herfather\'sbusinesswastoannounceJames\'sbeinggoneouttoputthehorsesto,preparatorytotheirnowdailydrivetoRandalls;andshehad,therefore,animmediateexcusefordisappearing.
Thejoy,thegratitude,theexquisitedelightofhersensationsmaybeimagined.ThesolegrievanceandalloythusremovedintheprospectofHarriet\'swelfare,shewasreallyindangerofbecomingtoohappyforsecurity-Whathadshetowishfor?Nothing,buttogrowmoreworthyofhim,whoseintentionsandjudgmenthadbeeneversosuperiortoherown.Nothing,butthatthelessonsofherpastfollymightteachherhumilityandcircumspectioninfuture.
Seriousshewas,veryseriousinherthankfulness,andinherresolutions;andyettherewasnopreventingalaugh,sometimesintheverymidstofthem.Shemustlaughatsuchaclose!Suchanendofthedolefuldisappointmentoffiveweeksback!Suchaheart-suchaHarriet!
Nowtherewouldbepleasureinherreturning-Everythingwouldbeapleasure.ItwouldbeagreatpleasuretoknowRobertMartin.
Highintherankofhermostseriousandheartfeltfelicities,wasthereflectionthatallnecessityofconcealmentfromMr.Knightleywouldsoonbeover.Thedisguise,equivocation,mystery,sohatefultohertopractise,mightsoonbeover.Shecouldnowlookforwardtogivinghimthatfullandperfectconfidencewhichherdispositionwasmostreadytowelcomeasaduty.
Inthegayestandhappiestspiritsshesetforwardwithherfather;notalwayslistening,butalwaysagreeingtowhathesaid;and,whetherinspeechorsilence,connivingatthecomfortablepersuasionofhisbeingobligedtogotoRandallseveryday,orpoorMrs.Westonwouldbedisappointed.
Theyarrived-Mrs.Westonwasaloneinthedrawing-room:-buthardlyhadtheybeentoldofthebaby,andMr.Woodhousereceivedthethanksforcoming,whichheaskedfor,whenaglimpsewascaughtthroughtheblind,oftwofigurespassingnearthewindow.
`ItisFrankandMissFairfax,\'saidMrs.Weston.`Iwasjustgoingtotellyouofouragreeablesurprizeinseeinghimarrivethismorning.Hestaystillto-morrow,andMissFairfaxhasbeenpersuadedtospendthedaywithus-Theyarecomingin,Ihope.\'
Inhalfaminutetheywereintheroom.Emmawasextremelygladtoseehim-buttherewasadegreeofconfusion-anumberofembarrassingrecollectionsoneachside.Theymetreadilyandsmiling,butwithaconsciousnesswhichatfirstallowedlittletobesaid;andhavingallsatdownagain,therewasforsometimesuchablankinthecircle,thatEmmabegantodoubtwhetherthewishnowindulged,whichshehadlongfelt,ofseeingFrankChurchilloncemore,andofseeinghimwithJane,wouldyielditsproportionofpleasure.WhenMr.Westonjoinedtheparty,however,andwhenthebabywasfetched,therewasnolongerawantofsubjectoranimation-orofcourageandopportunityforFrankChurchilltodrawnearherandsay,
`Ihavetothankyou,MissWoodhouse,foraverykindforgivingmessageinoneofMrs.Weston\'sletters.Ihopetimehasnotmadeyoulesswillingtopardon.Ihopeyoudonotretractwhatyouthensaid.\'
`No,indeed,\'criedEmma,mosthappytobegin,`notintheleast.Iamparticularlygladtoseeandshakehandswithyou-andtogiveyoujoyinperson.\'
Hethankedherwithallhisheart,andcontinuedsometimetospeakwithseriousfeelingofhisgratitudeandhappiness.
`Isnotshelookingwell?\'saidhe,turninghiseyestowardsJane.`Betterthansheeverusedtodo?-YouseehowmyfatherandMrs.Westondoatuponher.\'
Buthisspiritsweresoonrisingagain,andwithlaughingeyes,aftermentioningtheexpectedreturnoftheCampbells,henamedthenameofDixon-Emmablushed,andforbadeitsbeingpronouncedinherhearing.
`Icanneverthinkofit,\'shecried,`withoutextremeshame.\'
`Theshame,\'heanswered,`isallmine,oroughttobe.Butisitpossiblethatyouhadnosuspicion?-Imeanoflate.Early,Iknow,youhadnone.\'
`Ineverhadthesmallest,Iassureyou.\'
`Thatappearsquitewonderful.Iwasonceverynear-andIwishIhad-itwouldhavebeenbetter.ButthoughIwasalwaysdoingwrongthings,theywereverybadwrongthings,andsuchasdidmenoservice-ItwouldhavebeenamuchbettertransgressionhadIbrokenthebondofsecrecyandtoldyoueverything.\'
`Itisnotnowwortharegret,\'saidEmma.
`Ihavesomehope,\'resumedhe,`ofmyuncle\'sbeingpersuadedtopayavisitatRandalls;hewantstobeintroducedtoher.WhentheCampbellsarereturned,weshallmeettheminLondon,andcontinuethere,Itrust,tillwemaycarryhernorthward-Butnow,Iamatsuchadistancefromher-isnotithard,MissWoodhouse?-Tillthismorning,wehavenotoncemetsincethedayofreconciliation.Donotyoupityme?\'
Emmaspokeherpitysoverykindly,thatwithasuddenaccessionofgaythought,hecried,
`Ah!bythebye,\'thensinkinghisvoice,andlookingdemureforthemoment-`IhopeMr.Knightleyiswell?\'Hepaused-Shecolouredandlaughed-`Iknowyousawmyletter,andthinkyoumayremembermywishinyourfavour.Letmereturnyourcongratulations-IassureyouthatIhaveheardthenewswiththewarmestinterestandsatisfaction-HeisamanwhomIcannotpresumetopraise.\'
Emmawasdelighted,andonlywantedhimtogooninthesamestyle;buthismindwasthenextmomentinhisownconcernsandwithhisownJane,andhisnextwordswere,
`Didyoueverseesuchaskin?-suchsmoothness!suchdelicacy!-andyetwithoutbeingactuallyfair-Onecannotcallherfair.Itisamostuncommoncomplexion,withherdarkeye-lashesandhair-amostdistinguishingcomplexion!Sopeculiarlytheladyinit-Justcolourenoughforbeauty.\'
`Ihavealwaysadmiredhercomplexion,\'repliedEmma,archly;`butdonotIrememberthetimewhenyoufoundfaultwithherforbeingsopale?-Whenwefirstbegantotalkofher-Haveyouquiteforgotten?\'
`Oh!no-whatanimpudentdogIwas!-HowcouldIdare-\'
Buthelaughedsoheartilyattherecollection,thatEmmacouldnothelpsaying,
`Idosuspectthatinthemidstofyourperplexitiesatthattime,youhadverygreatamusementintrickingusall-Iamsureyouhad-Iamsureitwasaconsolationtoyou.\'
`Oh!no,no,no-howcanyoususpectmeofsuchathing?Iwasthemostmiserablewretch!\'
`Notquitesomiserableastobeinsensibletomirth.Iamsureitwasasourceofhighentertainmenttoyou,tofeelthatyouweretakingusallin-PerhapsIamthereadiertosuspect,because,totellyouthetruth,Ithinkitmighthavebeensomeamusementtomyselfinthesamesituation.Ithinkthereisalittlelikenessbetweenus.\'
Hebowed.
`Ifnotinourdispositions,\'shepresentlyadded,withalookoftruesensibility,`thereisalikenessinourdestiny;thedestinywhichbidsfairtoconnectuswithtwocharacterssomuchsuperiortoourown.\'
`True,true,\'heanswered,warmly.`No,nottrueonyourside.Youcanhavenosuperior,butmosttrueonmine-Sheisacompleteangel.Lookather.Isnotsheanangelineverygesture?Observetheturnofherthroat.Observehereyes,assheislookingupatmyfather-Youwillbegladtohearinclininghishead,andwhisperingseriouslythatmyunclemeanstogiveherallmyaunt\'sjewels.Theyaretobenewset.Iamresolvedtohavesomeinanornamentforthehead.Willnotitbebeautifulinherdarkhair?\'
`Verybeautiful,indeed,\'repliedEmma;andshespokesokindly,thathegratefullyburstout,
`HowdelightedIamtoseeyouagain!andtoseeyouinsuchexcellentlooks!-Iwouldnothavemissedthismeetingfortheworld.IshouldcertainlyhavecalledatHartfield,hadyoufailedtocome.\'
Theothershadbeentalkingofthechild,Mrs.Westongivinganaccountofalittlealarmshehadbeenunder,theeveningbefore,fromtheinfant\'sappearingnotquitewell.Shebelievedshehadbeenfoolish,butithadalarmedher,andshehadbeenwithinhalfaminuteofsendingforMr.Perry.Perhapssheoughttobeashamed,butMr.Westonhadbeenalmostasuneasyasherself-Intenminutes,however,thechildhadbeenperfectlywellagain.Thiswasherhistory;andparticularlyinterestingitwastoMr.Woodhouse,whocommendedherverymuchforthinkingofsendingforPerry,andonlyregrettedthatshehadnotdoneit.`SheshouldalwayssendforPerry,ifthechildappearedintheslightestdegreedisordered,wereitonlyforamoment.Shecouldnotbetoosoonalarmed,norsendforPerrytoooften.Itwasapity,perhaps,thathehadnotcomelastnight;for,thoughthechildseemedwellnow,verywellconsidering,itwouldprobablyhavebeenbetterifPerryhadseenit.\'
FrankChurchillcaughtthename.
`Perry!\'saidhetoEmma,andtrying,ashespoke,tocatchMissFairfax\'seye.`MyfriendMr.Perry!WhataretheysayingaboutMr.Perry?-Hashebeenherethismorning?-Andhowdoeshetravelnow?-Hashesetuphiscarriage?\'
Emmasoonrecollected,andunderstoodhim;andwhileshejoinedinthelaugh,itwasevidentfromJane\'scountenancethatshetoowasreallyhearinghim,thoughtryingtoseemdeaf.
`Suchanextraordinarydreamofmine!\'hecried.`Icanneverthinkofitwithoutlaughing-Shehearsus,shehearsus,MissWoodhouse.Iseeitinhercheek,hersmile,hervainattempttofrown.Lookather.Donotyouseethat,atthisinstant,theverypassageofherownletter,whichsentmethereport,ispassingunderhereye-thatthewholeblunderisspreadbeforeher-thatshecanattendtonothingelse,thoughpretendingtolistentotheothers?\'
Janewasforcedtosmilecompletely,foramoment;andthesmilepartlyremainedassheturnedtowardshim,andsaidinaconscious,low,yetsteadyvoice,
`Howyoucanbearsuchrecollections,isastonishingtome!-Theywillsometimesobtrude-buthowyoucancourtthem!\'
Hehadagreatdealtosayinreturn,andveryentertainingly;butEmma\'sfeelingswerechieflywithJane,intheargument;andonleavingRandalls,andfallingnaturallyintoacomparisonofthetwomen,shefelt,thatpleasedasshehadbeentoseeFrankChurchill,andreallyregardinghimasshedidwithfriendship,shehadneverbeenmoresensibleofMr.Knightley\'shighsuperiorityofcharacter.Thehappinessofthismosthappyday,receiveditscompletion,intheanimatedcontemplationofhisworthwhichthiscomparisonproduced.
CHAPTERXIX
IfEmmahadstill,atintervals,ananxiousfeelingforHarriet,amomentarydoubtofitsbeingpossibleforhertobereallycuredofherattachmenttoMr.Knightley,andreallyabletoacceptanothermanfromunbiasedinclination,itwasnotlongthatshehadtosufferfromtherecurrenceofanysuchuncertainty.AveryfewdaysbroughtthepartyfromLondon,andshehadnosooneranopportunityofbeingonehouralonewithHarriet,thanshebecameperfectlysatisfied-unaccountableasitwas!-thatRobertMartinhadthoroughlysupplantedMr.Knightley,andwasnowformingallherviewsofhappiness.
Harrietwasalittledistressed-didlookalittlefoolishatfirst:buthavingonceownedthatshehadbeenpresumptuousandsilly,andself-deceived,before,herpainandconfusionseemedtodieawaywiththewords,andleaveherwithoutacareforthepast,andwiththefullestexultationinthepresentandfuture;for,astoherfriend\'sapprobation,Emmahadinstantlyremovedeveryfearofthatnature,bymeetingherwiththemostunqualifiedcongratulations-HarrietwasmosthappytogiveeveryparticularoftheeveningatAstley\'s,andthedinnerthenextday;shecoulddwellonitallwiththeutmostdelight.Butwhatdidsuchparticularsexplain?-Thefactwas,asEmmacouldnowacknowledge,thatHarriethadalwayslikedRobertMartin;andthathiscontinuingtoloveherhadbeenirresistible-Beyondthis,itmusteverbeunintelligibletoEmma.
Theevent,however,wasmostjoyful;andeverydaywasgivingherfreshreasonforthinkingso-Harriet\'sparentagebecameknown.Sheprovedtobethedaughterofatradesman,richenoughtoaffordherthecomfortablemaintenancewhichhadeverbeenhers,anddecentenoughtohavealwayswishedforconcealment-SuchwasthebloodofgentilitywhichEmmahadformerlybeensoreadytovouchfor!-Itwaslikelytobeasuntainted,perhaps,asthebloodofmanyagentleman:butwhataconnexionhadshebeenpreparingforMr.Knightley-orfortheChurchills-orevenforMr.Elton!-Thestainofillegitimacy,unbleachedbynobilityorwealth,wouldhavebeenastainindeed.
Noobjectionwasraisedonthefather\'sside;theyoungmanwastreatedliberally;itwasallasitshouldbe:andasEmmabecameacquaintedwithRobertMartin,whowasnowintroducedatHartfield,shefullyacknowledgedinhimalltheappearanceofsenseandworthwhichcouldbidfairestforherlittlefriend.ShehadnodoubtofHarriet\'shappinesswithanygood-temperedman;butwithhim,andinthehomeheoffered,therewouldbethehopeofmore,ofsecurity,stability,andimprovement.Shewouldbeplacedinthemidstofthosewholovedher,andwhohadbettersensethanherself;retiredenoughforsafety,andoccupiedenoughforcheerfulness.Shewouldbeneverledintotemptation,norleftforittofindherout.Shewouldberespectableandhappy;andEmmaadmittedhertobetheluckiestcreatureintheworld,tohavecreatedsosteadyandperseveringanaffectioninsuchaman;-or,ifnotquitetheluckiest,toyieldonlytoherself.
Harriet,necessarilydrawnawaybyherengagementswiththeMartins,waslessandlessatHartfield;whichwasnottoberegretted.
TheintimacybetweenherandEmmamustsink;theirfriendshipmustchangeintoacalmersortofgoodwill;and,fortunately,whatoughttobe,andmustbe,seemedalreadybeginning,andinthemostgradual,naturalmanner.
BeforetheendofSeptember,EmmaattendedHarriettochurch,andsawherhandbestowedonRobertMartinwithsocompleteasatisfaction,asnoremembrances,evenconnectedwithMr.Eltonashestoodbeforethem,couldimpair-Perhaps,indeed,atthattimeshescarcelysawMr.Elton,butastheclergymanwhoseblessingatthealtarmightnextfallonherself-RobertMartinandHarrietSmith,thelatestcoupleengagedofthethree,werethefirsttobemarried.
JaneFairfaxhadalreadyquittedHighbury,andwasrestoredtothecomfortsofherbelovedhomewiththeCampbells-TheMr.Churchillswerealsointown;andtheywereonlywaitingforNovember.
Theintermediatemonthwastheonefixedon,asfarastheydared,byEmmaandMr.Knightley-TheyhaddeterminedthattheirmarriageoughttobeconcludedwhileJohnandIsabellawerestillatHartfield,toallowthemthefortnight\'sabsenceinatourtotheseaside,whichwastheplan-JohnandIsabella,andeveryotherfriend,wereagreedinapprovingit.ButMr.Woodhouse-howwasMr.Woodhousetobeinducedtoconsent?-he,whohadneveryetalludedtotheirmarriagebutasadistantevent.
Whenfirstsoundedonthesubject,hewassomiserable,thattheywerealmosthopeless-Asecondallusion,indeed,gavelesspain-Hebegantothinkitwastobe,andthathecouldnotpreventit-averypromisingstepofthemindonitswaytoresignation.Still,however,hewasnothappy.Nay,heappearedsomuchotherwise,thathisdaughter\'scouragefailed.Shecouldnotbeartoseehimsuffering,toknowhimfancyinghimselfneglected;andthoughherunderstandingalmostacquiescedintheassuranceofboththeMr.Knightleys,thatwhenoncetheeventwereover,hisdistresswouldbesoonovertoo,shehesitated-shecouldnotproceed.
Inthisstateofsuspensetheywerebefriended,notbyanysuddenilluminationofMr.Woodhouse\'smind,oranywonderfulchangeofhisnervoussystem,butbytheoperationofthesamesysteminanotherway-Mrs.Weston\'spoultry-housewasrobbedonenightofallherturkeys-evidentlybytheingenuityofman.Otherpoultry-yardsintheneighbourhoodalsosuffered-PilferingwashousebreakingtoMr.Woodhouse\'sfears-Hewasveryuneasy;andbutforthesenseofhisson-in-law\'sprotection,wouldhavebeenunderwretchedalarmeverynightofhislife.Thestrength,resolution,andpresenceofmindoftheMr.Knightleys,commandedhisfullestdependence.Whileeitherofthemprotectedhimandhis,Hartfieldwassafe-ButMr.JohnKnightleymustbeinLondonagainbytheendofthefirstweekinNovember.
Theresultofthisdistresswas,that,withamuchmorevoluntary,cheerfulconsentthanhisdaughterhadeverpresumedtohopeforatthemoment,shewasabletofixherwedding-day-andMr.Eltonwascalledon,withinamonthfromthemarriageofMr.andMrs.RobertMartin,tojointhehandsofMr.KnightleyandMissWoodhouse.
Theweddingwasverymuchlikeotherweddings,wherethepartieshavenotasteforfineryorparade;andMrs.Elton,fromtheparticularsdetailedbyherhusband,thoughtitallextremelyshabby,andveryinferiortoherown-`Verylittlewhitesatin,veryfewlaceveils;amostpitifulbusiness!-Selinawouldstarewhensheheardofit.\'-But,inspiteofthesedeficiencies,thewishes,thehopes,theconfidence,thepredictionsofthesmallbandoftruefriendswhowitnessedtheceremony,werefullyansweredintheperfecthappinessoftheunion.