CHAPTERI
EmmaWoodhouse，handsome，clever，andrich，withacomfortablehomeandhappydisposition，seemedtounitesomeofthebestblessingsofexistence；andhadlivednearlytwenty-oneyearsintheworldwithverylittletodistressorvexher。
Shewastheyoungestofthetwodaughtersofamostaffectionate，indulgentfather；andhad，inconsequenceofhersister’smarriage，beenmistressofhishousefromaveryearlyperiod。Hermotherhaddiedtoolongagoforhertohavemorethananindistinctremembranceofhercaresses；andherplacehadbeensuppliedbyanexcellentwomanasgoverness，whohadfallenlittleshortofamotherinaffection。
SixteenyearshadMissTaylorbeeninMr。Woodhouse’sfamily，lessasagovernessthanafriend，veryfondofbothdaughters，butparticularlyofEmma。Betweenthemitwasmoretheintimacyofsisters。EvenbeforeMissTaylorhadceasedtoholdthenominalofficeofgoverness，themildnessofhertemperhadhardlyallowedhertoimposeanyrestraint；andtheshadowofauthoritybeingnowlongpassedaway，theyhadbeenlivingtogetherasfriendandfriendverymutuallyattached，andEmmadoingjustwhatsheliked；
highlyesteemingMissTaylor’sjudgment，butdirectedchieflybyherown。
Therealevils，indeed，ofEmma’ssituationwerethepowerofhavingrathertoomuchherownway，andadispositiontothinkalittletoowellofherself；thesewerethedisadvantageswhichthreatenedalloytohermanyenjoyments。Thedanger，however，wasatpresentsounperceived，thattheydidnotbyanymeansrankasmisfortuneswithher。
Sorrowcame——agentlesorrow——butnotatallintheshapeofanydisagreeableconsciousness——MissTaylormarried。ItwasMissTaylor’slosswhichfirstbroughtgrief。Itwasonthewedding-dayofthisbelovedfriendthatEmmafirstsatinmournfulthoughtofanycontinuance。Theweddingover，andthebride-peoplegone，herfatherandherselfwerelefttodinetogether，withnoprospectofathirdtocheeralongevening。Herfathercomposedhimselftosleepafterdinner，asusual，andshehadthenonlytositandthinkofwhatshehadlost。
Theeventhadeverypromiseofhappinessforherfriend。Mr。Westonwasamanofunexceptionablecharacter，easyfortune，suitableage，andpleasantmanners；andtherewassomesatisfactioninconsideringwithwhatself-denying，generousfriendshipshehadalwayswishedandpromotedthematch；butitwasablackmorning’sworkforher。
ThewantofMissTaylorwouldbefelteveryhourofeveryday。
Sherecalledherpastkindness——thekindness，theaffectionofsixteenyears——howshehadtaughtandhowshehadplayedwithherfromfiveyearsold——howshehaddevotedallherpowerstoattachandamuseherinhealth——andhownursedherthroughthevariousillnessesofchildhood。Alargedebtofgratitudewasowinghere；buttheintercourseofthelastsevenyears，theequalfootingandperfectunreservewhichhadsoonfollowedIsabella’smarriage，ontheirbeinglefttoeachother，wasyetadearer，tendererrecollection。
Shehadbeenafriendandcompanionsuchasfewpossessed：intelligent，well-informed，useful，gentle，knowingallthewaysofthefamily，interestedinallitsconcerns，andpeculiarlyinterestedinherself，ineverypleasure，everyschemeofhers——onetowhomshecouldspeakeverythoughtasitarose，andwhohadsuchanaffectionforherascouldneverfindfault。
Howwasshetobearthechange？——Itwastruethatherfriendwasgoingonlyhalfamilefromthem；butEmmawasawarethatgreatmustbethedifferencebetweenaMrs。Weston，onlyhalfamilefromthem，andaMissTaylorinthehouse；andwithallheradvantages，naturalanddomestic，shewasnowingreatdangerofsufferingfromintellectualsolitude。Shedearlylovedherfather，buthewasnocompanionforher。Hecouldnotmeetherinconversation，rationalorplayful。
TheeviloftheactualdisparityintheiragesandMr。Woodhousehadnotmarriedearlywasmuchincreasedbyhisconstitutionandhabits；
forhavingbeenavaletudinarianallhislife，withoutactivityofmindorbody，hewasamucholdermaninwaysthaninyears；
andthougheverywherebelovedforthefriendlinessofhisheartandhisamiabletemper，histalentscouldnothaverecommendedhimatanytime。
Hersister，thoughcomparativelybutlittleremovedbymatrimony，beingsettledinLondon，onlysixteenmilesoff，wasmuchbeyondherdailyreach；andmanyalongOctoberandNovembereveningmustbestruggledthroughatHartfield，beforeChristmasbroughtthenextvisitfromIsabellaandherhusband，andtheirlittlechildren，tofillthehouse，andgiveherpleasantsocietyagain。
Highbury，thelargeandpopulousvillage，almostamountingtoatown，towhichHartfield，inspiteofitsseparatelawn，andshrubberies，andname，didreallybelong，affordedhernoequals。TheWoodhouseswerefirstinconsequencethere。Alllookeduptothem。
Shehadmanyacquaintanceintheplace，forherfatherwasuniversallycivil，butnotoneamongthemwhocouldbeacceptedinlieuofMissTaylorforevenhalfaday。Itwasamelancholychange；andEmmacouldnotbutsighoverit，andwishforimpossiblethings，tillherfatherawoke，andmadeitnecessarytobecheerful。
Hisspiritsrequiredsupport。Hewasanervousman，easilydepressed；
fondofeverybodythathewasusedto，andhatingtopartwiththem；
hatingchangeofeverykind。Matrimony，astheoriginofchange，wasalwaysdisagreeable；andhewasbynomeansyetreconciledtohisowndaughter’smarrying，norcouldeverspeakofherbutwithcompassion，thoughithadbeenentirelyamatchofaffection，whenhewasnowobligedtopartwithMissTaylortoo；andfromhishabitsofgentleselfishness，andofbeingneverabletosupposethatotherpeoplecouldfeeldifferentlyfromhimself，hewasverymuchdisposedtothinkMissTaylorhaddoneassadathingforherselfasforthem，andwouldhavebeenagreatdealhappierifshehadspentalltherestofherlifeatHartfield。
Emmasmiledandchattedascheerfullyasshecould，tokeephimfromsuchthoughts；butwhenteacame，itwasimpossibleforhimnottosayexactlyashehadsaidatdinner，“PoorMissTaylor！——Iwishshewerehereagain。WhatapityitisthatMr。Westoneverthoughtofher！“
“Icannotagreewithyou，papa；youknowIcannot。Mr。Westonissuchagood-humoured，pleasant，excellentman，thathethoroughlydeservesagoodwife；——andyouwouldnothavehadMissTaylorlivewithusforever，andbearallmyoddhumours，whenshemighthaveahouseofherown？“
“Ahouseofherown！——Butwhereistheadvantageofahouseofherown？
Thisisthreetimesaslarge——Andyouhaveneveranyoddhumours，mydear。”
“Howoftenweshallbegoingtoseethem，andtheycomingtoseeus！——Weshallbealwaysmeeting！Wemustbegin；wemustgoandpayweddingvisitverysoon。”
“Mydear，howamItogetsofar？Randallsissuchadistance。
Icouldnotwalkhalfsofar。”
“No，papa，nobodythoughtofyourwalking。Wemustgointhecarriage，tobesure。”
“Thecarriage！ButJameswillnotliketoputthehorsestoforsuchalittleway；——andwherearethepoorhorsestobewhilewearepayingourvisit？“
“TheyaretobeputintoMr。Weston’sstable，papa。Youknowwehavesettledallthatalready。WetalkeditalloverwithMr。
Westonlastnight。AndasforJames，youmaybeverysurehewillalwayslikegoingtoRandalls，becauseofhisdaughter’sbeinghousemaidthere。
Ionlydoubtwhetherhewillevertakeusanywhereelse。Thatwasyourdoing，papa。YougotHannahthatgoodplace。NobodythoughtofHannahtillyoumentionedher——Jamesissoobligedtoyou！“
“IamverygladIdidthinkofher。Itwasverylucky，forIwouldnothavehadpoorJamesthinkhimselfslighteduponanyaccount；
andIamsureshewillmakeaverygoodservant：sheisacivil，pretty-spokengirl；Ihaveagreatopinionofher。WheneverI
seeher，shealwayscurtseysandasksmehowIdo，inaveryprettymanner；
andwhenyouhavehadherheretodoneedlework，Iobserveshealwaysturnsthelockofthedoortherightwayandneverbangsit。
Iamsureshewillbeanexcellentservant；anditwillbeagreatcomforttopoorMissTaylortohavesomebodyaboutherthatsheisusedtosee。WheneverJamesgoesovertoseehisdaughter，youknow，shewillbehearingofus。Hewillbeabletotellherhowweallare。”
Emmasparednoexertionstomaintainthishappierflowofideas，andhoped，bythehelpofbackgammon，togetherfathertolerablythroughtheevening，andbeattackedbynoregretsbutherown。
Thebackgammon-tablewasplaced；butavisitorimmediatelyafterwardswalkedinandmadeitunnecessary。
Mr。Knightley，asensiblemanaboutsevenoreight-and-thirty，wasnotonlyaveryoldandintimatefriendofthefamily，butparticularlyconnectedwithit，astheelderbrotherofIsabella’shusband。
HelivedaboutamilefromHighbury，wasafrequentvisitor，andalwayswelcome，andatthistimemorewelcomethanusual，ascomingdirectlyfromtheirmutualconnexionsinLondon。Hehadreturnedtoalatedinner，aftersomedays’absence，andnowwalkeduptoHartfieldtosaythatallwerewellinBrunswickSquare。
Itwasahappycircumstance，andanimatedMr。Woodhouseforsometime。
Mr。Knightleyhadacheerfulmanner，whichalwaysdidhimgood；
andhismanyinquiriesafter“poorIsabella“andherchildrenwereansweredmostsatisfactorily。Whenthiswasover，Mr。Woodhousegratefullyobserved，“Itisverykindofyou，Mr。Knightley，tocomeoutatthislatehourtocalluponus。Iamafraidyoumusthavehadashockingwalk。”
“Notatall，sir。Itisabeautifulmoonlightnight；andsomildthatImustdrawbackfromyourgreatfire。”
“Butyoumusthavefounditverydampanddirty。Iwishyoumaynotcatchcold。”
“Dirty，sir！Lookatmyshoes。Notaspeckonthem。”
“Well！thatisquitesurprising，forwehavehadavastdealofrainhere。Itraineddreadfullyhardforhalfanhourwhilewewereatbreakfast。Iwantedthemtoputoffthewedding。”
“Bythebye——Ihavenotwishedyoujoy。Beingprettywellawareofwhatsortofjoyyoumustbothbefeeling，Ihavebeeninnohurrywithmycongratulations；butIhopeitallwentofftolerablywell。
Howdidyouallbehave？Whocriedmost？“
“Ah！poorMissTaylor！’Tisasadbusiness。”
“PoorMr。andMissWoodhouse，ifyouplease；butIcannotpossiblysay`poorMissTaylor。’IhaveagreatregardforyouandEmma；
butwhenitcomestothequestionofdependenceorindependence！——Atanyrate，itmustbebettertohaveonlyonetopleasethantwo。”
“Especiallywhenoneofthosetwoissuchafanciful，troublesomecreature！“
saidEmmaplayfully。“Thatiswhatyouhaveinyourhead，Iknow——andwhatyouwouldcertainlysayifmyfatherwerenotby。”
“Ibelieveitisverytrue，mydear，indeed。”saidMr。Woodhouse，withasigh。“IamafraidIamsometimesveryfancifulandtroublesome。”
“Mydearestpapa！YoudonotthinkIcouldmeanyou，orsupposeMr。Knightleytomeanyou。Whatahorribleidea！Ohno！Imeantonlymyself。Mr。Knightleylovestofindfaultwithme，youknow——
inajoke——itisallajoke。Wealwayssaywhatweliketooneanother。”
Mr。Knightley，infact，wasoneofthefewpeoplewhocouldseefaultsinEmmaWoodhouse，andtheonlyonewhoevertoldherofthem：
andthoughthiswasnotparticularlyagreeabletoEmmaherself，sheknewitwouldbesomuchlesssotoherfather，thatshewouldnothavehimreallysuspectsuchacircumstanceashernotbeingthoughtperfectbyeverybody。
“EmmaknowsIneverflatterher。”saidMr。Knightley，“butI
meantnoreflectiononanybody。MissTaylorhasbeenusedtohavetwopersonstoplease；shewillnowhavebutone。
Thechancesarethatshemustbeagainer。”
“Well。”saidEmma，willingtoletitpass——“youwanttohearaboutthewedding；andIshallbehappytotellyou，forweallbehavedcharmingly。Everybodywaspunctual，everybodyintheirbestlooks：notatear，andhardlyalongfacetobeseen。Ohno；
weallfeltthatweweregoingtobeonlyhalfamileapart，andweresureofmeetingeveryday。”
“DearEmmabearseverythingsowell。”saidherfather。
“But，Mr。Knightley，sheisreallyverysorrytolosepoorMissTaylor，andIamsureshewillmisshermorethanshethinksfor。”
Emmaturnedawayherhead，dividedbetweentearsandsmiles。
“ItisimpossiblethatEmmashouldnotmisssuchacompanion。”
saidMr。Knightley。“Weshouldnotlikehersowellaswedo，sir，ifwecouldsupposeit；butsheknowshowmuchthemarriageistoMissTaylor’sadvantage；sheknowshowveryacceptableitmustbe，atMissTaylor’stimeoflife，tobesettledinahomeofherown，andhowimportanttohertobesecureofacomfortableprovision，andthereforecannotallowherselftofeelsomuchpainaspleasure。
EveryfriendofMissTaylormustbegladtohavehersohappilymarried。”
“Andyouhaveforgottenonematterofjoytome。”saidEmma，“andaveryconsiderableone——thatImadethematchmyself。
Imadethematch，youknow，fouryearsago；andtohaveittakeplace，andbeprovedintheright，whensomanypeoplesaidMr。Westonwouldnevermarryagain，maycomfortmeforanything。”
Mr。Knightleyshookhisheadather。Herfatherfondlyreplied，“Ah！mydear，Iwishyouwouldnotmakematchesandforetellthings，forwhateveryousayalwayscomestopass。Praydonotmakeanymorematches。”
“Ipromiseyoutomakenoneformyself，papa；butImust，indeed，forotherpeople。Itisthegreatestamusementintheworld！Andaftersuchsuccess，youknow！——EverybodysaidthatMr。Westonwouldnevermarryagain。Ohdear，no！Mr。Weston，whohadbeenawidowersolong，andwhoseemedsoperfectlycomfortablewithoutawife，soconstantlyoccupiedeitherinhisbusinessintownoramonghisfriendshere，alwaysacceptablewhereverhewent，alwayscheerful——
Mr。Westonneednotspendasingleeveningintheyearaloneifhedidnotlikeit。Ohno！Mr。Westoncertainlywouldnevermarryagain。
Somepeopleeventalkedofapromisetohiswifeonherdeathbed，andothersofthesonandtheunclenotlettinghim。Allmannerofsolemnnonsensewastalkedonthesubject，butIbelievednoneofit。
“Eversincetheday——aboutfouryearsago——thatMissTaylorandI
metwithhiminBroadwayLane，when，becauseitbegantodrizzle，hedartedawaywithsomuchgallantry，andborrowedtwoumbrellasforusfromFarmerMitchell’s，Imadeupmymindonthesubject。
Iplannedthematchfromthathour；andwhensuchsuccesshasblessedmeinthisinstance，dearpapa，youcannotthinkthatIshallleaveoffmatch-making。”
“Idonotunderstandwhatyoumeanby`success，’“saidMr。Knightley。
“Successsupposesendeavour。Yourtimehasbeenproperlyanddelicatelyspent，ifyouhavebeenendeavouringforthelastfouryearstobringaboutthismarriage。Aworthyemploymentforayounglady’smind！Butif，whichIratherimagine，yourmakingthematch，asyoucallit，meansonlyyourplanningit，yoursayingtoyourselfoneidleday，`IthinkitwouldbeaverygoodthingforMissTaylorifMr。Westonweretomarryher，’andsayingitagaintoyourselfeverynowandthenafterwards，whydoyoutalkofsuccess？Whereisyourmerit？Whatareyouproudof？Youmadealuckyguess；
andthatisallthatcanbesaid。”
“Andhaveyouneverknownthepleasureandtriumphofaluckyguess？——
Ipityyou——Ithoughtyoucleverer——for，dependuponitaluckyguessisnevermerelyluck。Thereisalwayssometalentinit。
Andastomypoorword`success，’whichyouquarrelwith，IdonotknowthatIamsoentirelywithoutanyclaimtoit。Youhavedrawntwoprettypictures；butIthinktheremaybeathird——asomethingbetweenthedo-nothingandthedo-all。IfIhadnotpromotedMr。Weston’svisitshere，andgivenmanylittleencouragements，andsmoothedmanylittlematters，itmightnothavecometoanythingafterall。
IthinkyoumustknowHartfieldenoughtocomprehendthat。”
“Astraightforward，open-heartedmanlikeWeston，andarational，unaffectedwomanlikeMissTaylor，maybesafelylefttomanagetheirownconcerns。Youaremorelikelytohavedoneharmtoyourself，thangoodtothem，byinterference。”
“Emmaneverthinksofherself，ifshecandogoodtoothers。”
rejoinedMr。Woodhouse，understandingbutinpart。“But，mydear，praydonotmakeanymorematches；theyaresillythings，andbreakupone’sfamilycirclegrievously。”
“Onlyonemore，papa；onlyforMr。Elton。PoorMr。Elton！YoulikeMr。Elton，papa，——Imustlookaboutforawifeforhim。
ThereisnobodyinHighburywhodeserveshim——andhehasbeenhereawholeyear，andhasfitteduphishousesocomfortably，thatitwouldbeashametohavehimsingleanylonger——andIthoughtwhenhewasjoiningtheirhandsto-day，helookedsoverymuchasifhewouldliketohavethesamekindofficedoneforhim！IthinkverywellofMr。Elton，andthisistheonlywayIhaveofdoinghimaservice。”
“Mr。Eltonisaveryprettyyoungman，tobesure，andaverygoodyoungman，andIhaveagreatregardforhim。Butifyouwanttoshewhimanyattention，mydear，askhimtocomeanddinewithussomeday。Thatwillbeamuchbetterthing。
IdaresayMr。Knightleywillbesokindastomeethim。”
“Withagreatdealofpleasure，sir，atanytime。”saidMr。Knightley，laughing，“andIagreewithyouentirely，thatitwillbeamuchbetterthing。Invitehimtodinner，Emma，andhelphimtothebestofthefishandthechicken，butleavehimtochusehisownwife。
Dependuponit，amanofsixorseven-and-twentycantakecareofhimself。”
Chapter02CHAPTERII
Mr。WestonwasanativeofHighbury，andbornofarespectablefamily，whichforthelasttwoorthreegenerationshadbeenrisingintogentilityandproperty。Hehadreceivedagoodeducation，but，onsucceedingearlyinlifetoasmallindependence，hadbecomeindisposedforanyofthemorehomelypursuitsinwhichhisbrotherswereengaged，andhadsatisfiedanactive，cheerfulmindandsocialtemperbyenteringintothemilitiaofhiscounty，thenembodied。
CaptainWestonwasageneralfavourite；andwhenthechancesofhismilitarylifehadintroducedhimtoMissChurchill，ofagreatYorkshirefamily，andMissChurchillfellinlovewithhim，nobodywassurprized，exceptherbrotherandhiswife，whohadneverseenhim，andwhowerefullofprideandimportance，whichtheconnexionwouldoffend。
MissChurchill，however，beingofage，andwiththefullcommandofherfortune——thoughherfortuneborenoproportiontothefamily-estate——wasnottobedissuadedfromthemarriage，andittookplace，totheinfinitemortificationofMr。andMrs。Churchill，whothrewheroffwithduedecorum。Itwasanunsuitableconnexion，anddidnotproducemuchhappiness。Mrs。Westonoughttohavefoundmoreinit，forshehadahusbandwhosewarmheartandsweettempermadehimthinkeverythingduetoherinreturnforthegreatgoodnessofbeinginlovewithhim；butthoughshehadonesortofspirit，shehadnotthebest。Shehadresolutionenoughtopursueherownwillinspiteofherbrother，butnotenoughtorefrainfromunreasonableregretsatthatbrother’sunreasonableanger，norfrommissingtheluxuriesofherformerhome。Theylivedbeyondtheirincome，butstillitwasnothingincomparisonofEnscombe：
shedidnotceasetoloveherhusband，butshewantedatoncetobethewifeofCaptainWeston，andMissChurchillofEnscombe。
CaptainWeston，whohadbeenconsidered，especiallybytheChurchills，asmakingsuchanamazingmatch，wasprovedtohavemuchtheworstofthebargain；forwhenhiswifedied，afterathreeyears’marriage，hewasratherapoorermanthanatfirst，andwithachildtomaintain。
Fromtheexpenseofthechild，however，hewassoonrelieved。
Theboyhad，withtheadditionalsofteningclaimofalingeringillnessofhismother’s，beenthemeansofasortofreconciliation；
andMr。andMrs。Churchill，havingnochildrenoftheirown，noranyotheryoungcreatureofequalkindredtocarefor，offeredtotakethewholechargeofthelittleFranksoonafterherdecease。
Somescruplesandsomereluctancethewidower-fathermaybesupposedtohavefelt；butastheywereovercomebyotherconsiderations，thechildwasgivenuptothecareandthewealthoftheChurchills，andhehadonlyhisowncomforttoseek，andhisownsituationtoimproveashecould。
Acompletechangeoflifebecamedesirable。Hequittedthemilitiaandengagedintrade，havingbrothersalreadyestablishedinagoodwayinLondon，whichaffordedhimafavourableopening。
Itwasaconcernwhichbroughtjustemploymentenough。HehadstillasmallhouseinHighbury，wheremostofhisleisuredayswerespent；
andbetweenusefuloccupationandthepleasuresofsociety，thenexteighteenortwentyyearsofhislifepassedcheerfullyaway。
Hehad，bythattime，realisedaneasycompetence——enoughtosecurethepurchaseofalittleestateadjoiningHighbury，whichhehadalwayslongedfor——enoughtomarryawomanasportionlessevenasMissTaylor，andtoliveaccordingtothewishesofhisownfriendlyandsocialdisposition。
ItwasnowsometimesinceMissTaylorhadbeguntoinfluencehisschemes；butasitwasnotthetyrannicinfluenceofyouthonyouth，ithadnotshakenhisdeterminationofneversettlingtillhecouldpurchaseRandalls，andthesaleofRandallswaslonglookedforwardto；buthehadgonesteadilyon，withtheseobjectsinview，tilltheywereaccomplished。Hehadmadehisfortune，boughthishouse，andobtainedhiswife；andwasbeginninganewperiodofexistence，witheveryprobabilityofgreaterhappinessthaninanyyetpassedthrough。Hehadneverbeenanunhappyman；
hisowntemperhadsecuredhimfromthat，eveninhisfirstmarriage；
buthissecondmustshewhimhowdelightfulawell-judgingandtrulyamiablewomancouldbe，andmustgivehimthepleasantestproofofitsbeingagreatdealbettertochoosethantobechosen，toexcitegratitudethantofeelit。
Hehadonlyhimselftopleaseinhischoice：hisfortunewashisown；forastoFrank，itwasmorethanbeingtacitlybroughtupashisuncle’sheir，ithadbecomesoavowedanadoptionastohavehimassumethenameofChurchilloncomingofage。
Itwasmostunlikely，therefore，thatheshouldeverwanthisfather’sassistance。Hisfatherhadnoapprehensionofit。
Theauntwasacapriciouswoman，andgovernedherhusbandentirely；
butitwasnotinMr。Weston’snaturetoimaginethatanycapricecouldbestrongenoughtoaffectonesodear，and，ashebelieved，sodeservedlydear。HesawhissoneveryyearinLondon，andwasproudofhim；andhisfondreportofhimasaveryfineyoungmanhadmadeHighburyfeelasortofprideinhimtoo。
Hewaslookedonassufficientlybelongingtotheplacetomakehismeritsandprospectsakindofcommonconcern。
Mr。FrankChurchillwasoneoftheboastsofHighbury，andalivelycuriositytoseehimprevailed，thoughthecomplimentwassolittlereturnedthathehadneverbeenthereinhislife。Hiscomingtovisithisfatherhadbeenoftentalkedofbutneverachieved。
Now，uponhisfather’smarriage，itwasverygenerallyproposed，asamostproperattention，thatthevisitshouldtakeplace。
Therewasnotadissentientvoiceonthesubject，eitherwhenMrs。PerrydrankteawithMrs。andMissBates，orwhenMrs。andMissBatesreturnedthevisit。NowwasthetimeforMr。FrankChurchilltocomeamongthem；andthehopestrengthenedwhenitwasunderstoodthathehadwrittentohisnewmotherontheoccasion。
Forafewdays，everymorningvisitinHighburyincludedsomementionofthehandsomeletterMrs。Westonhadreceived。“IsupposeyouhaveheardofthehandsomeletterMr。FrankChurchillhaswrittentoMrs。Weston？Iunderstanditwasaveryhandsomeletter，indeed。
Mr。Woodhousetoldmeofit。Mr。Woodhousesawtheletter，andhesaysheneversawsuchahandsomeletterinhislife。”
Itwas，indeed，ahighlyprizedletter。Mrs。Westonhad，ofcourse，formedaveryfavourableideaoftheyoungman；andsuchapleasingattentionwasanirresistibleproofofhisgreatgoodsense，andamostwelcomeadditiontoeverysourceandeveryexpressionofcongratulationwhichhermarriagehadalreadysecured。Shefeltherselfamostfortunatewoman；andshehadlivedlongenoughtoknowhowfortunateshemightwellbethought，wheretheonlyregretwasforapartialseparationfromfriendswhosefriendshipforherhadnevercooled，andwhocouldillbeartopartwithher。
Sheknewthatattimesshemustbemissed；andcouldnotthink，withoutpain，ofEmma’slosingasinglepleasure，orsufferinganhour’sennui，fromthewantofhercompanionableness：butdearEmmawasofnofeeblecharacter；shewasmoreequaltohersituationthanmostgirlswouldhavebeen，andhadsense，andenergy，andspiritsthatmightbehopedwouldbearherwellandhappilythroughitslittledifficultiesandprivations。AndthentherewassuchcomfortintheveryeasydistanceofRandallsfromHartfield，soconvenientforevensolitaryfemalewalking，andinMr。Weston’sdispositionandcircumstances，whichwouldmaketheapproachingseasonnohindrancetotheirspendinghalftheeveningsintheweektogether。
HersituationwasaltogetherthesubjectofhoursofgratitudetoMrs。Weston，andofmomentsonlyofregret；andhersatisfaction——hermorethansatisfaction——hercheerfulenjoyment，wassojustandsoapparent，thatEmma，wellassheknewherfather，wassometimestakenbysurprizeathisbeingstillabletopity`poorMissTaylor，’whentheyleftheratRandallsinthecentreofeverydomesticcomfort，orsawhergoawayintheeveningattendedbyherpleasanthusbandtoacarriageofherown。
ButneverdidshegowithoutMr。Woodhouse’sgivingagentlesigh，andsaying，“Ah，poorMissTaylor！Shewouldbeverygladtostay。”
TherewasnorecoveringMissTaylor——normuchlikelihoodofceasingtopityher；butafewweeksbroughtsomealleviationtoMr。Woodhouse。Thecomplimentsofhisneighbourswereover；
hewasnolongerteasedbybeingwishedjoyofsosorrowfulanevent；
andthewedding-cake，whichhadbeenagreatdistresstohim，wasalleatup。Hisownstomachcouldbearnothingrich，andhecouldneverbelieveotherpeopletobedifferentfromhimself。
Whatwasunwholesometohimheregardedasunfitforanybody；
andhehad，therefore，earnestlytriedtodissuadethemfromhavinganywedding-cakeatall，andwhenthatprovedvain，asearnestlytriedtopreventanybody’seatingit。HehadbeenatthepainsofconsultingMr。Perry，theapothecary，onthesubject。Mr。Perrywasanintelligent，gentlemanlikeman，whosefrequentvisitswereoneofthecomfortsofMr。Woodhouse’slife；anduponbeingappliedto，hecouldnotbutacknowledgethoughitseemedratheragainstthebiasofinclinationthatwedding-cakemightcertainlydisagreewithmany——perhapswithmostpeople，unlesstakenmoderately。
Withsuchanopinion，inconfirmationofhisown，Mr。Woodhousehopedtoinfluenceeveryvisitorofthenewlymarriedpair；butstillthecakewaseaten；andtherewasnorestforhisbenevolentnervestillitwasallgone。
TherewasastrangerumourinHighburyofallthelittlePerrysbeingseenwithasliceofMrs。Weston’swedding-cakeintheirhands：butMr。Woodhousewouldneverbelieveit。
Chapter03CHAPTERIII
Mr。Woodhousewasfondofsocietyinhisownway。Helikedverymuchtohavehisfriendscomeandseehim；andfromvariousunitedcauses，fromhislongresidenceatHartfield，andhisgoodnature，fromhisfortune，hishouse，andhisdaughter，hecouldcommandthevisitsofhisownlittlecircle，inagreatmeasure，asheliked。
Hehadnotmuchintercoursewithanyfamiliesbeyondthatcircle；
hishorroroflatehours，andlargedinner-parties，madehimunfitforanyacquaintancebutsuchaswouldvisithimonhisownterms。
Fortunatelyforhim，Highbury，includingRandallsinthesameparish，andDonwellAbbeyintheparishadjoining，theseatofMr。Knightley，comprehendedmanysuch。Notunfrequently，throughEmma’spersuasion，hehadsomeofthechosenandthebesttodinewithhim：buteveningpartieswerewhathepreferred；and，unlesshefanciedhimselfatanytimeunequaltocompany，therewasscarcelyaneveningintheweekinwhichEmmacouldnotmakeupacard-tableforhim。
Real，long-standingregardbroughttheWestonsandMr。Knightley；
andbyMr。Elton，ayoungmanlivingalonewithoutlikingit，theprivilegeofexchanginganyvacanteveningofhisownblanksolitudefortheeleganciesandsocietyofMr。Woodhouse’sdrawing-room，andthesmilesofhislovelydaughter，wasinnodangerofbeingthrownaway。
Afterthesecameasecondset；amongthemostcome-at-ableofwhomwereMrs。andMissBates，andMrs。Goddard，threeladiesalmostalwaysattheserviceofaninvitationfromHartfield，andwhowerefetchedandcarriedhomesooften，thatMr。WoodhousethoughtitnohardshipforeitherJamesorthehorses。Hadittakenplaceonlyonceayear，itwouldhavebeenagrievance。
Mrs。Bates，thewidowofaformervicarofHighbury，wasaveryoldlady，almostpasteverythingbutteaandquadrille。
Shelivedwithhersingledaughterinaverysmallway，andwasconsideredwithalltheregardandrespectwhichaharmlessoldlady，undersuchuntowardcircumstances，canexcite。Herdaughterenjoyedamostuncommondegreeofpopularityforawomanneitheryoung，handsome，rich，normarried。MissBatesstoodintheveryworstpredicamentintheworldforhavingmuchofthepublicfavour；
andshehadnointellectualsuperioritytomakeatonementtoherself，orfrightenthosewhomighthateherintooutwardrespect。
Shehadneverboastedeitherbeautyorcleverness。Heryouthhadpassedwithoutdistinction，andhermiddleoflifewasdevotedtothecareofafailingmother，andtheendeavourtomakeasmallincomegoasfaraspossible。Andyetshewasahappywoman，andawomanwhomnoonenamedwithoutgood-will。Itwasherownuniversalgood-willandcontentedtemperwhichworkedsuchwonders。
Shelovedeverybody，wasinterestedineverybody’shappiness，quicksightedtoeverybody’smerits；thoughtherselfamostfortunatecreature，andsurroundedwithblessingsinsuchanexcellentmother，andsomanygoodneighboursandfriends，andahomethatwantedfornothing。Thesimplicityandcheerfulnessofhernature，hercontentedandgratefulspirit，werearecommendationtoeverybody，andamineoffelicitytoherself。Shewasagreattalkeruponlittlematters，whichexactlysuitedMr。Woodhouse，fulloftrivialcommunicationsandharmlessgossip。
Mrs。GoddardwasthemistressofaSchool——notofaseminary，oranestablishment，oranythingwhichprofessed，inlongsentencesofrefinednonsense，tocombineliberalacquirementswithelegantmorality，uponnewprinciplesandnewsystems——andwhereyoungladiesforenormouspaymightbescrewedoutofhealthandintovanity——butareal，honest，old-fashionedBoarding-school，whereareasonablequantityofaccomplishmentsweresoldatareasonableprice，andwheregirlsmightbesenttobeoutoftheway，andscramblethemselvesintoalittleeducation，withoutanydangerofcomingbackprodigies。Mrs。Goddard’sschoolwasinhighrepute——andverydeservedly；forHighburywasreckonedaparticularlyhealthyspot：shehadanamplehouseandgarden，gavethechildrenplentyofwholesomefood，letthemrunaboutagreatdealinthesummer，andinwinterdressedtheirchilblainswithherownhands。
Itwasnowonderthatatrainoftwentyyoungcouplenowwalkedafterhertochurch。Shewasaplain，motherlykindofwoman，whohadworkedhardinheryouth，andnowthoughtherselfentitledtotheoccasionalholidayofatea-visit；andhavingformerlyowedmuchtoMr。Woodhouse’skindness，felthisparticularclaimonhertoleaveherneatparlour，hungroundwithfancy-work，whenevershecould，andwinorloseafewsixpencesbyhisfireside。
TheseweretheladieswhomEmmafoundherselfveryfrequentlyabletocollect；andhappywasshe，forherfather’ssake，inthepower；though，asfarasshewasherselfconcerned，itwasnoremedyfortheabsenceofMrs。Weston。Shewasdelightedtoseeherfatherlookcomfortable，andverymuchpleasedwithherselfforcontrivingthingssowell；butthequietprosingsofthreesuchwomenmadeherfeelthateveryeveningsospentwasindeedoneofthelongeveningsshehadfearfullyanticipated。
Asshesatonemorning，lookingforwardtoexactlysuchacloseofthepresentday，anotewasbroughtfromMrs。Goddard，requesting，inmostrespectfulterms，tobeallowedtobringMissSmithwithher；
amostwelcomerequest：forMissSmithwasagirlofseventeen，whomEmmaknewverywellbysight，andhadlongfeltaninterestin，onaccountofherbeauty。Averygraciousinvitationwasreturned，andtheeveningnolongerdreadedbythefairmistressofthemansion。
HarrietSmithwasthenaturaldaughterofsomebody。Somebodyhadplacedher，severalyearsback，atMrs。Goddard’sschool，andsomebodyhadlatelyraisedherfromtheconditionofscholartothatofparlour-boarder。Thiswasallthatwasgenerallyknownofherhistory。ShehadnovisiblefriendsbutwhathadbeenacquiredatHighbury，andwasnowjustreturnedfromalongvisitinthecountrytosomeyoungladieswhohadbeenatschooltherewithher。
Shewasaveryprettygirl，andherbeautyhappenedtobeofasortwhichEmmaparticularlyadmired。Shewasshort，plump，andfair，withafinebloom，blueeyes，lighthair，regularfeatures，andalookofgreatsweetness，and，beforetheendoftheevening，Emmawasasmuchpleasedwithhermannersasherperson，andquitedeterminedtocontinuetheacquaintance。
ShewasnotstruckbyanythingremarkablycleverinMissSmith’sconversation，butshefoundheraltogetherveryengaging——notinconvenientlyshy，notunwillingtotalk——andyetsofarfrompushing，shewingsoproperandbecomingadeference，seemingsopleasantlygratefulforbeingadmittedtoHartfield，andsoartlesslyimpressedbytheappearanceofeverythinginsosuperiorastyletowhatshehadbeenusedto，thatshemusthavegoodsense，anddeserveencouragement。Encouragementshouldbegiven。
Thosesoftblueeyes，andallthosenaturalgraces，shouldnotbewastedontheinferiorsocietyofHighburyanditsconnexions。
Theacquaintanceshehadalreadyformedwereunworthyofher。
Thefriendsfromwhomshehadjustparted，thoughverygoodsortofpeople，mustbedoingherharm。TheywereafamilyofthenameofMartin，whomEmmawellknewbycharacter，asrentingalargefarmofMr。Knightley，andresidingintheparishofDonwell——verycreditably，shebelieved——sheknewMr。Knightleythoughthighlyofthem——buttheymustbecoarseandunpolished，andveryunfittobetheintimatesofagirlwhowantedonlyalittlemoreknowledgeandelegancetobequiteperfect。Shewouldnoticeher；shewouldimproveher；
shewoulddetachherfromherbadacquaintance，andintroduceherintogoodsociety；shewouldformheropinionsandhermanners。
Itwouldbeaninteresting，andcertainlyaverykindundertaking；
highlybecomingherownsituationinlife，herleisure，andpowers。
Shewassobusyinadmiringthosesoftblueeyes，intalkingandlistening，andformingalltheseschemesinthein-betweens，thattheeveningflewawayataveryunusualrate；andthesupper-table，whichalwaysclosedsuchparties，andforwhichshehadbeenusedtositandwatchtheduetime，wasallsetoutandready，andmovedforwardstothefire，beforeshewasaware。Withanalacritybeyondthecommonimpulseofaspiritwhichyetwasneverindifferenttothecreditofdoingeverythingwellandattentively，withtherealgood-willofaminddelightedwithitsownideas，didshethendoallthehonoursofthemeal，andhelpandrecommendthemincedchickenandscallopedoysters，withanurgencywhichsheknewwouldbeacceptabletotheearlyhoursandcivilscruplesoftheirguests。
UponsuchoccasionspoorMr。Woodhousesfeelingswereinsadwarfare。
Helovedtohavetheclothlaid，becauseithadbeenthefashionofhisyouth，buthisconvictionofsuppersbeingveryunwholesomemadehimrathersorrytoseeanythingputonit；andwhilehishospitalitywouldhavewelcomedhisvisitorstoeverything，hiscarefortheirhealthmadehimgrievethattheywouldeat。
Suchanothersmallbasinofthingruelashisownwasallthathecould，withthoroughself-approbation，recommend；thoughhemightconstrainhimself，whiletheladieswerecomfortablyclearingthenicerthings，tosay：
“Mrs。Bates，letmeproposeyourventuringononeoftheseeggs。
Aneggboiledverysoftisnotunwholesome。Serleunderstandsboilinganeggbetterthananybody。Iwouldnotrecommendaneggboiledbyanybodyelse；butyouneednotbeafraid，theyareverysmall，yousee——oneofoursmalleggswillnothurtyou。MissBates，letEmmahelpyoutoalittlebitoftart——averylittlebit。
Oursareallapple-tarts。Youneednotbeafraidofunwholesomepreserveshere。Idonotadvisethecustard。Mrs。Goddard，whatsayyoutohalfaglassofwine？Asmallhalf-glass，putintoatumblerofwater？Idonotthinkitcoulddisagreewithyou。”
Emmaallowedherfathertotalk——butsuppliedhervisitorsinamuchmoresatisfactorystyle，andonthepresenteveninghadparticularpleasureinsendingthemawayhappy。ThehappinessofMissSmithwasquiteequaltoherintentions。MissWoodhousewassogreatapersonageinHighbury，thattheprospectoftheintroductionhadgivenasmuchpanicaspleasure；butthehumble，gratefullittlegirlwentoffwithhighlygratifiedfeelings，delightedwiththeaffabilitywithwhichMissWoodhousehadtreatedheralltheevening，andactuallyshakenhandswithheratlast！
Chapter04CHAPTERIV
HarrietSmith’sintimacyatHartfieldwassoonasettledthing。
Quickanddecidedinherways，Emmalostnotimeininviting，encouraging，andtellinghertocomeveryoften；andastheiracquaintanceincreased，sodidtheirsatisfactionineachother。Asawalkingcompanion，Emmahadveryearlyforeseenhowusefulshemightfindher。
InthatrespectMrs。Weston’slosshadbeenimportant。Herfatherneverwentbeyondtheshrubbery，wheretwodivisionsofthegroundsufficedhimforhislongwalk，orhisshort，astheyearvaried；
andsinceMrs。Weston’smarriageherexercisehadbeentoomuchconfined。
ShehadventuredoncealonetoRandalls，butitwasnotpleasant；
andaHarrietSmith，therefore，onewhomshecouldsummonatanytimetoawalk，wouldbeavaluableadditiontoherprivileges。
Butineveryrespect，asshesawmoreofher，sheapprovedher，andwasconfirmedinallherkinddesigns。
Harrietcertainlywasnotclever，butshehadasweet，docile，gratefuldisposition，wastotallyfreefromconceit，andonlydesiringtobeguidedbyanyoneshelookedupto。Herearlyattachmenttoherselfwasveryamiable；andherinclinationforgoodcompany，andpowerofappreciatingwhatwaselegantandclever，shewedthattherewasnowantoftaste，thoughstrengthofunderstandingmustnotbeexpected。AltogethershewasquiteconvincedofHarrietSmith’sbeingexactlytheyoungfriendshewanted——exactlythesomethingwhichherhomerequired。SuchafriendasMrs。Westonwasoutofthequestion。Twosuchcouldneverbegranted。
Twosuchshedidnotwant。Itwasquiteadifferentsortofthing，asentimentdistinctandindependent。Mrs。Westonwastheobjectofaregardwhichhaditsbasisingratitudeandesteem。
Harrietwouldbelovedasonetowhomshecouldbeuseful。
ForMrs。Westontherewasnothingtobedone；forHarrieteverything。
Herfirstattemptsatusefulnesswereinanendeavourtofindoutwhoweretheparents，butHarrietcouldnottell。Shewasreadytotelleverythinginherpower，butonthissubjectquestionswerevain。
Emmawasobligedtofancywhatsheliked——butshecouldneverbelievethatinthesamesituationsheshouldnothavediscoveredthetruth。Harriethadnopenetration。ShehadbeensatisfiedtohearandbelievejustwhatMrs。Goddardchosetotellher；
andlookednofarther。
Mrs。Goddard，andtheteachers，andthegirlsandtheaffairsoftheschoolingeneral，formednaturallyagreatpartoftheconversation——andbutforheracquaintancewiththeMartinsofAbbey-MillFarm，itmusthavebeenthewhole。ButtheMartinsoccupiedherthoughtsagooddeal；shehadspenttwoveryhappymonthswiththem，andnowlovedtotalkofthepleasuresofhervisit，anddescribethemanycomfortsandwondersoftheplace。Emmaencouragedhertalkativeness——amusedbysuchapictureofanothersetofbeings，andenjoyingtheyouthfulsimplicitywhichcouldspeakwithsomuchexultationofMrs。Martin’shaving“twoparlours，twoverygoodparlours，indeed；oneofthemquiteaslargeasMrs。Goddard’sdrawing-room；
andofherhavinganuppermaidwhohadlivedfive-and-twentyyearswithher；andoftheirhavingeightcows，twoofthemAlderneys，andonealittleWelchcow，averyprettylittleWelchcowindeed；
andofMrs。Martin’ssayingasshewassofondofit，itshouldbecalledhercow；andoftheirhavingaveryhandsomesummer-houseintheirgarden，wheresomedaynextyeartheywerealltodrinktea：——averyhandsomesummer-house，largeenoughtoholdadozenpeople。”
Forsometimeshewasamused，withoutthinkingbeyondtheimmediatecause；
butasshecametounderstandthefamilybetter，otherfeelingsarose。
Shehadtakenupawrongidea，fancyingitwasamotheranddaughter，asonandson’swife，whoalllivedtogether；butwhenitappearedthattheMr。Martin，whoboreapartinthenarrative，andwasalwaysmentionedwithapprobationforhisgreatgood-natureindoingsomethingorother，wasasingleman；thattherewasnoyoungMrs。Martin，nowifeinthecase；shedidsuspectdangertoherpoorlittlefriendfromallthishospitalityandkindness，andthat，ifshewerenottakencareof，shemightberequiredtosinkherselfforever。
Withthisinspiritingnotion，herquestionsincreasedinnumberandmeaning；andsheparticularlyledHarriettotalkmoreofMr。Martin，andtherewasevidentlynodisliketoit。Harrietwasveryreadytospeakofthesharehehadhadintheirmoonlightwalksandmerryeveninggames；anddweltagooddealuponhisbeingsoverygood-humouredandobliging。Hehadgonethreemilesroundonedayinordertobringhersomewalnuts，becauseshehadsaidhowfondshewasofthem，andineverythingelsehewassoveryobliging。Hehadhisshepherd’ssonintotheparlouronenightonpurposetosingtoher。
Shewasveryfondofsinging。Hecouldsingalittlehimself。
Shebelievedhewasveryclever，andunderstoodeverything。
Hehadaveryfineflock，and，whileshewaswiththem，hehadbeenbidmoreforhiswoolthananybodyinthecountry。
Shebelievedeverybodyspokewellofhim。Hismotherandsisterswereveryfondofhim。Mrs。Martinhadtoldheronedayandtherewasablushasshesaidit，thatitwasimpossibleforanybodytobeabetterson，andthereforeshewassure，wheneverhemarried，hewouldmakeagoodhusband。Notthatshewantedhimtomarry。
Shewasinnohurryatall。
“Welldone，Mrs。Martin！“thoughtEmma。“Youknowwhatyouareabout。”
“Andwhenshehadcomeaway，Mrs。MartinwassoverykindastosendMrs。Goddardabeautifulgoose——thefinestgooseMrs。Goddardhadeverseen。Mrs。GoddardhaddresseditonaSunday，andaskedallthethreeteachers，MissNash，andMissPrince，andMissRichardson，tosupwithher。”
“Mr。Martin，Isuppose，isnotamanofinformationbeyondthelineofhisownbusiness？Hedoesnotread？“
“Ohyes！——thatis，no——Idonotknow——butIbelievehehasreadagooddeal——butnotwhatyouwouldthinkanythingof。
HereadstheAgriculturalReports，andsomeotherbooksthatlayinoneofthewindowseats——buthereadsallthemtohimself。
Butsometimesofanevening，beforewewenttocards，hewouldreadsomethingaloudoutoftheElegantExtracts，veryentertaining。
AndIknowhehasreadtheVicarofWakefield。HeneverreadtheRomanceoftheForest，norTheChildrenoftheAbbey。HehadneverheardofsuchbooksbeforeImentionedthem，butheisdeterminedtogetthemnowassoonaseverhecan。”
Thenextquestionwas——
“WhatsortoflookingmanisMr。Martin？“
“Oh！nothandsome——notatallhandsome。Ithoughthimveryplainatfirst，butIdonotthinkhimsoplainnow。Onedoesnot，youknow，afteratime。Butdidyouneverseehim？HeisinHighburyeverynowandthen，andheissuretoridethrougheveryweekinhiswaytoKingston。Hehaspassedyouveryoften。”
“Thatmaybe，andImayhaveseenhimfiftytimes，butwithouthavinganyideaofhisname。Ayoungfarmer，whetheronhorsebackoronfoot，istheverylastsortofpersontoraisemycuriosity。
TheyeomanryarepreciselytheorderofpeoplewithwhomIfeelI
canhavenothingtodo。Adegreeortwolower，andacreditableappearancemightinterestme；Imighthopetobeusefultotheirfamiliesinsomewayorother。Butafarmercanneednoneofmyhelp，andis，therefore，inonesense，asmuchabovemynoticeasineveryotherheisbelowit。”
“Tobesure。Ohyes！Itisnotlikelyyoushouldeverhaveobservedhim；butheknowsyouverywellindeed——Imeanbysight。”
“Ihavenodoubtofhisbeingaveryrespectableyoungman。
Iknow，indeed，thatheisso，and，assuch，wishhimwell。
Whatdoyouimaginehisagetobe？“
“Hewasfour-and-twentythe8thoflastJune，andmybirthdayisthe23rdjustafortnightandaday’sdifference——whichisveryodd。”
“Onlyfour-and-twenty。Thatistooyoungtosettle。Hismotherisperfectlyrightnottobeinahurry。Theyseemverycomfortableastheyare，andifsheweretotakeanypainstomarryhim，shewouldprobablyrepentit。Sixyearshence，ifhecouldmeetwithagoodsortofyoungwomaninthesamerankashisown，withalittlemoney，itmightbeverydesirable。”
“Sixyearshence！DearMissWoodhouse，hewouldbethirtyyearsold！“
“Well，andthatisasearlyasmostmencanaffordtomarry，whoarenotborntoanindependence。Mr。Martin，Iimagine，hashisfortuneentirelytomake——cannotbeatallbeforehandwiththeworld。Whatevermoneyhemightcomeintowhenhisfatherdied，whateverhisshareofthefamilyproperty，itis，Idaresay，allafloat，allemployedinhisstock，andsoforth；andthough，withdiligenceandgoodluck，hemayberichintime，itisnexttoimpossiblethatheshouldhaverealisedanythingyet。”
“Tobesure，soitis。Buttheyliveverycomfortably。
Theyhavenoindoorsman，elsetheydonotwantforanything；
andMrs。Martintalksoftakingaboyanotheryear。”
“Iwishyoumaynotgetintoascrape，Harriet，wheneverhedoesmarry；——Imean，astobeingacquaintedwithhiswife——forthoughhissisters，fromasuperioreducation，arenottobealtogetherobjectedto，itdoesnotfollowthathemightmarryanybodyatallfitforyoutonotice。Themisfortuneofyourbirthoughttomakeyouparticularlycarefulastoyourassociates。Therecanbenodoubtofyourbeingagentleman’sdaughter，andyoumustsupportyourclaimtothatstationbyeverythingwithinyourownpower，ortherewillbeplentyofpeoplewhowouldtakepleasureindegradingyou。”
“Yes，tobesure，Isupposethereare。ButwhileIvisitatHartfield，andyouaresokindtome，MissWoodhouse，Iamnotafraidofwhatanybodycando。”
“Youunderstandtheforceofinfluenceprettywell，Harriet；butI
wouldhaveyousofirmlyestablishedingoodsociety，astobeindependentevenofHartfieldandMissWoodhouse。Iwanttoseeyoupermanentlywellconnected，andtothatenditwillbeadvisabletohaveasfewoddacquaintanceasmaybe；and，therefore，IsaythatifyoushouldstillbeinthiscountrywhenMr。Martinmarries，Iwishyoumaynotbedrawninbyyourintimacywiththesisters，tobeacquaintedwiththewife，whowillprobablybesomemerefarmer’sdaughter，withouteducation。”
“Tobesure。Yes。NotthatIthinkMr。Martinwouldevermarryanybodybutwhathadhadsomeeducation——andbeenverywellbroughtup。
However，Idonotmeantosetupmyopinionagainstyour’s——andI
amsureIshallnotwishfortheacquaintanceofhiswife。IshallalwayshaveagreatregardfortheMissMartins，especiallyElizabeth，andshouldbeverysorrytogivethemup，fortheyarequiteaswelleducatedasme。Butifhemarriesaveryignorant，vulgarwoman，certainlyIhadbetternotvisither，ifIcanhelpit。”
Emmawatchedherthroughthefluctuationsofthisspeech，andsawnoalarmingsymptomsoflove。Theyoungmanhadbeenthefirstadmirer，butshetrustedtherewasnootherhold，andthattherewouldbenoseriousdifficulty，onHarriet’sside，toopposeanyfriendlyarrangementofherown。
TheymetMr。Martintheverynextday，astheywerewalkingontheDonwellroad。Hewasonfoot，andafterlookingveryrespectfullyather，lookedwithmostunfeignedsatisfactionathercompanion。
Emmawasnotsorrytohavesuchanopportunityofsurvey；
andwalkingafewyardsforward，whiletheytalkedtogether，soonmadeherquickeyesufficientlyacquaintedwithMr。RobertMartin。
Hisappearancewasveryneat，andhelookedlikeasensibleyoungman，buthispersonhadnootheradvantage；andwhenhecametobecontrastedwithgentlemen，shethoughthemustloseallthegroundhehadgainedinHarriet’sinclination。Harrietwasnotinsensibleofmanner；shehadvoluntarilynoticedherfather’sgentlenesswithadmirationaswellaswonder。Mr。Martinlookedasifhedidnotknowwhatmannerwas。
Theyremainedbutafewminutestogether，asMissWoodhousemustnotbekeptwaiting；andHarrietthencamerunningtoherwithasmilingface，andinaflutterofspirits，whichMissWoodhousehopedverysoontocompose。
“Onlythinkofourhappeningtomeethim！——Howveryodd！Itwasquiteachance，hesaid，thathehadnotgoneroundbyRandalls。
Hedidnotthinkweeverwalkedthisroad。HethoughtwewalkedtowardsRandallsmostdays。HehasnotbeenabletogettheRomanceoftheForestyet。HewassobusythelasttimehewasatKingstonthathequiteforgotit，buthegoesagainto-morrow。
Soveryoddweshouldhappentomeet！Well，MissWoodhouse，ishelikewhatyouexpected？Whatdoyouthinkofhim？Doyouthinkhimsoveryplain？“
“Heisveryplain，undoubtedly——remarkablyplain：——butthatisnothingcomparedwithhisentirewantofgentility。Ihadnorighttoexpectmuch，andIdidnotexpectmuch；butIhadnoideathathecouldbesoveryclownish，sototallywithoutair。
Ihadimaginedhim，Iconfess，adegreeortwonearergentility。”
“Tobesure。”saidHarriet，inamortifiedvoice，“heisnotsogenteelasrealgentlemen。”
“Ithink，Harriet，sinceyouracquaintancewithus，youhavebeenrepeatedlyinthecompanyofsomesuchveryrealgentlemen，thatyoumustyourselfbestruckwiththedifferenceinMr。Martin。
AtHartfield，youhavehadverygoodspecimensofwelleducated，wellbredmen。Ishouldbesurprizedif，afterseeingthem，youcouldbeincompanywithMr。Martinagainwithoutperceivinghimtobeaveryinferiorcreature——andratherwonderingatyourselfforhavingeverthoughthimatallagreeablebefore。
Donotyoubegintofeelthatnow？Werenotyoustruck？Iamsureyoumusthavebeenstruckbyhisawkwardlookandabruptmanner，andtheuncouthnessofavoicewhichIheardtobewhollyunmodulatedasIstoodhere。”
“Certainly，heisnotlikeMr。Knightley。HehasnotsuchafineairandwayofwalkingasMr。Knightley。Iseethedifferenceplainenough。ButMr。Knightleyissoveryfineaman！“
“Mr。Knightley’sairissoremarkablygoodthatitisnotfairtocompareMr。Martinwithhim。YoumightnotseeoneinahundredwithgentlemansoplainlywrittenasinMr。Knightley。Butheisnottheonlygentlemanyouhavebeenlatelyusedto。WhatsayyoutoMr。WestonandMr。Elton？CompareMr。Martinwitheitherofthem。
Comparetheirmannerofcarryingthemselves；ofwalking；ofspeaking；
ofbeingsilent。Youmustseethedifference。”
“Ohyes！——thereisagreatdifference。ButMr。Westonisalmostanoldman。Mr。Westonmustbebetweenfortyandfifty。”
“Whichmakeshisgoodmannersthemorevaluable。Theolderapersongrows，Harriet，themoreimportantitisthattheirmannersshouldnotbebad；themoreglaringanddisgustinganyloudness，orcoarseness，orawkwardnessbecomes。Whatispassableinyouthisdetestableinlaterage。Mr。Martinisnowawkwardandabrupt；
whatwillhebeatMr。Weston’stimeoflife？“
“Thereisnosaying，indeed。”repliedHarrietrathersolemnly。
“Buttheremaybeprettygoodguessing。Hewillbeacompletelygross，vulgarfarmer，totallyinattentivetoappearances，andthinkingofnothingbutprofitandloss。”
“Willhe，indeed？Thatwillbeverybad。”
“Howmuchhisbusinessengrosseshimalreadyisveryplainfromthecircumstanceofhisforgettingtoinquireforthebookyourecommended。
Hewasagreatdealtoofullofthemarkettothinkofanythingelse——whichisjustasitshouldbe，forathrivingman。Whathashetodowithbooks？AndIhavenodoubtthathewillthrive，andbeaveryrichmanintime——andhisbeingilliterateandcoarseneednotdisturbus。”
“Iwonderhedidnotrememberthebook“——wasallHarriet’sanswer，andspokenwithadegreeofgravedispleasurewhichEmmathoughtmightbesafelylefttoitself。She，therefore，saidnomoreforsometime。
Hernextbeginningwas，“Inonerespect，perhaps，Mr。Elton’smannersaresuperiortoMr。Knightley’sorMr。Weston’s。Theyhavemoregentleness。
Theymightbemoresafelyheldupasapattern。Thereisanopenness，aquickness，almostabluntnessinMr。Weston，whicheverybodylikesinhim，becausethereissomuchgood-humourwithit——butthatwouldnotdotobecopied。NeitherwouldMr。Knightley’sdownright，decided，commandingsortofmanner，thoughitsuitshimverywell；hisfigure，andlook，andsituationinlifeseemtoallowit；butifanyyoungmanweretosetaboutcopyinghim，hewouldnotbesufferable。Onthecontrary，IthinkayoungmanmightbeverysafelyrecommendedtotakeMr。Eltonasamodel。
Mr。Eltonisgood-humoured，cheerful，obliging，andgentle。
Heseemstometobegrownparticularlygentleoflate。Idonotknowwhetherhehasanydesignofingratiatinghimselfwitheitherofus，Harriet，byadditionalsoftness，butitstrikesmethathismannersaresofterthantheyusedtobe。Ifhemeansanything，itmustbetopleaseyou。DidnotItellyouwhathesaidofyoutheotherday？“
ShethenrepeatedsomewarmpersonalpraisewhichshehaddrawnfromMr。Elton，andnowdidfulljusticeto；andHarrietblushedandsmiled，andsaidshehadalwaysthoughtMr。Eltonveryagreeable。
Mr。EltonwastheverypersonfixedonbyEmmafordrivingtheyoungfarmeroutofHarriet’shead。Shethoughtitwouldbeanexcellentmatch；andonlytoopalpablydesirable，natural，andprobable，forhertohavemuchmeritinplanningit。
Shefeareditwaswhateverybodyelsemustthinkofandpredict。
Itwasnotlikely，however，thatanybodyshouldhaveequalledherinthedateoftheplan，asithadenteredherbrainduringtheveryfirsteveningofHarriet’scomingtoHartfield。Thelongersheconsideredit，thegreaterwashersenseofitsexpediency。
Mr。Elton’ssituationwasmostsuitable，quitethegentlemanhimself，andwithoutlowconnexions；atthesametime，notofanyfamilythatcouldfairlyobjecttothedoubtfulbirthofHarriet。Hehadacomfortablehomeforher，andEmmaimaginedaverysufficientincome；
forthoughthevicarageofHighburywasnotlarge，hewasknowntohavesomeindependentproperty；andshethoughtveryhighlyofhimasagood-humoured，well-meaning，respectableyoungman，withoutanydeficiencyofusefulunderstandingorknowledgeoftheworld。
ShehadalreadysatisfiedherselfthathethoughtHarrietabeautifulgirl，whichshetrusted，withsuchfrequentmeetingsatHartfield，wasfoundationenoughonhisside；andonHarriet’stherecouldbelittledoubtthattheideaofbeingpreferredbyhimwouldhavealltheusualweightandefficacy。Andhewasreallyaverypleasingyoungman，ayoungmanwhomanywomannotfastidiousmightlike。
Hewasreckonedveryhandsome；hispersonmuchadmiredingeneral，thoughnotbyher，therebeingawantofeleganceoffeaturewhichshecouldnotdispensewith：——butthegirlwhocouldbegratifiedbyaRobertMartin’sridingaboutthecountrytogetwalnutsforhermightverywellbeconqueredbyMr。Elton’sadmiration。
Chapter05CHAPTERV
“Idonotknowwhatyouropinionmaybe，Mrs。Weston。”saidMr。Knightley，“ofthisgreatintimacybetweenEmmaandHarrietSmith，butIthinkitabadthing。”
“Abadthing！Doyoureallythinkitabadthing？——whyso？“
“Ithinktheywillneitherofthemdotheotheranygood。”
“Yousurprizeme！EmmamustdoHarrietgood：andbysupplyingherwithanewobjectofinterest，HarrietmaybesaidtodoEmmagood。
Ihavebeenseeingtheirintimacywiththegreatestpleasure。
Howverydifferentlywefeel！——Notthinktheywilldoeachotheranygood！ThiswillcertainlybethebeginningofoneofourquarrelsaboutEmma，Mr。Knightley。”
“PerhapsyouthinkIamcomeonpurposetoquarrelwithyou，knowingWestontobeout，andthatyoumuststillfightyourownbattle。”
“Mr。Westonwouldundoubtedlysupportme，ifhewerehere，forhethinksexactlyasIdoonthesubject。Wewerespeakingofitonlyyesterday，andagreeinghowfortunateitwasforEmma，thatthereshouldbesuchagirlinHighburyforhertoassociatewith。
Mr。Knightley，Ishallnotallowyoutobeafairjudgeinthiscase。
Youaresomuchusedtolivealone，thatyoudonotknowthevalueofacompanion；and，perhapsnomancanbeagoodjudgeofthecomfortawomanfeelsinthesocietyofoneofherownsex，afterbeingusedtoitallherlife。IcanimagineyourobjectiontoHarrietSmith。
SheisnotthesuperioryoungwomanwhichEmma’sfriendoughttobe。
Butontheotherhand，asEmmawantstoseeherbetterinformed，itwillbeaninducementtohertoreadmoreherself。Theywillreadtogether。Shemeansit，Iknow。”
“Emmahasbeenmeaningtoreadmoreeversinceshewastwelveyearsold。Ihaveseenagreatmanylistsofherdrawing-upatvarioustimesofbooksthatshemeanttoreadregularlythrough——andverygoodliststheywere——verywellchosen，andveryneatlyarranged——sometimesalphabetically，andsometimesbysomeotherrule。
Thelistshedrewupwhenonlyfourteen——Irememberthinkingitdidherjudgmentsomuchcredit，thatIpreserveditsometime；
andIdaresayshemayhavemadeoutaverygoodlistnow。ButI
havedonewithexpectinganycourseofsteadyreadingfromEmma。
Shewillneversubmittoanythingrequiringindustryandpatience，andasubjectionofthefancytotheunderstanding。WhereMissTaylorfailedtostimulate，ImaysafelyaffirmthatHarrietSmithwilldonothing——Younevercouldpersuadehertoreadhalfsomuchasyouwished——Youknowyoucouldnot。”
“Idaresay。”repliedMrs。Weston，smiling，“thatIthoughtsothen；——butsincewehaveparted，IcanneverrememberEmma’somittingtodoanythingIwished。”
“Thereishardlyanydesiringtorefreshsuchamemoryasthat。”——saidMr。Knightley，feelingly；andforamomentortwohehaddone。
“ButI。”
hesoonadded，“whohavehadnosuchcharmthrownovermysenses，muststillsee，hear，andremember。Emmaisspoiledbybeingthecleverestofherfamily。Attenyearsold，shehadthemisfortuneofbeingabletoanswerquestionswhichpuzzledhersisteratseventeen。
Shewasalwaysquickandassured：Isabellaslowanddiffident。