Andeversinceshewastwelve，Emmahasbeenmistressofthehouseandofyouall。Inhermothershelosttheonlypersonabletocopewithher。Sheinheritshermother’stalents，andmusthavebeenundersubjectiontoher。”
“Ishouldhavebeensorry，Mr。Knightley，tobedependentonyourrecommendation，hadIquittedMr。Woodhouse’sfamilyandwantedanothersituation；Idonotthinkyouwouldhavespokenagoodwordformetoanybody。IamsureyoualwaysthoughtmeunfitfortheofficeIheld。”
“Yes。”saidhe，smiling。“Youarebetterplacedhere；veryfitforawife，butnotatallforagoverness。ButyouwerepreparingyourselftobeanexcellentwifeallthetimeyouwereatHartfield。
YoumightnotgiveEmmasuchacompleteeducationasyourpowerswouldseemtopromise；butyouwerereceivingaverygoodeducationfromher，ontheverymaterialmatrimonialpointofsubmittingyourownwill，anddoingasyouwerebid；andifWestonhadaskedmetorecommendhimawife，IshouldcertainlyhavenamedMissTaylor。”
“Thankyou。TherewillbeverylittlemeritinmakingagoodwifetosuchamanasMr。Weston。”
“Why，toownthetruth，Iamafraidyouareratherthrownaway，andthatwitheverydispositiontobear，therewillbenothingtobeborne。Wewillnotdespair，however。Westonmaygrowcrossfromthewantonnessofcomfort，orhissonmayplaguehim。”
“Ihopenotthat——Itisnotlikely。No，Mr。Knightley，donotforetellvexationfromthatquarter。”
“NotI，indeed。Ionlynamepossibilities。IdonotpretendtoEmma’sgeniusforforetellingandguessing。Ihope，withallmyheart，theyoungmanmaybeaWestoninmerit，andaChurchillinfortune——ButHarrietSmith——IhavenothalfdoneaboutHarrietSmith。IthinkhertheveryworstsortofcompanionthatEmmacouldpossiblyhave。
Sheknowsnothingherself，andlooksuponEmmaasknowingeverything。
Sheisaflattererinallherways；andsomuchtheworse，becauseundesigned。Herignoranceishourlyflattery。HowcanEmmaimagineshehasanythingtolearnherself，whileHarrietispresentingsuchadelightfulinferiority？AndasforHarriet，Iwillventuretosaythatshecannotgainbytheacquaintance。
Hartfieldwillonlyputheroutofconceitwithalltheotherplacesshebelongsto。Shewillgrowjustrefinedenoughtobeuncomfortablewiththoseamongwhombirthandcircumstanceshaveplacedherhome。
IammuchmistakenifEmma’sdoctrinesgiveanystrengthofmind，ortendatalltomakeagirladaptherselfrationallytothevarietiesofhersituationinlife——Theyonlygivealittlepolish。”
“IeitherdependmoreuponEmma’sgoodsensethanyoudo，orammoreanxiousforherpresentcomfort；forIcannotlamenttheacquaintance。
Howwellshelookedlastnight！“
“Oh！youwouldrathertalkofherpersonthanhermind，wouldyou？
Verywell；IshallnotattempttodenyEmma’sbeingpretty。”
“Pretty！saybeautifulrather。CanyouimagineanythingnearerperfectbeautythanEmmaaltogether——faceandfigure？“
“IdonotknowwhatIcouldimagine，butIconfessthatIhaveseldomseenafaceorfiguremorepleasingtomethanhers。
ButIamapartialoldfriend。”
“Suchaneye！——thetruehazleeye——andsobrilliant！regularfeatures，opencountenance，withacomplexion！oh！whatabloomoffullhealth，andsuchaprettyheightandsize；suchafirmanduprightfigure！
Thereishealth，notmerelyinherbloom，butinherair，herhead，herglance。Onehearssometimesofachildbeing`thepictureofhealth；’now，Emmaalwaysgivesmetheideaofbeingthecompletepictureofgrown-uphealth。Sheislovelinessitself。Mr。
Knightley，isnotshe？“
“Ihavenotafaulttofindwithherperson。”hereplied。
“Ithinkherallyoudescribe。Ilovetolookather；andI
willaddthispraise，thatIdonotthinkherpersonallyvain。
Consideringhowveryhandsomesheis，sheappearstobelittleoccupiedwithit；hervanityliesanotherway。Mrs。Weston，I
amnottobetalkedoutofmydislikeofHarrietSmith，ormydreadofitsdoingthembothharm。”
“AndI，Mr。Knightley，amequallystoutinmyconfidenceofitsnotdoingthemanyharm。WithalldearEmma’slittlefaults，sheisanexcellentcreature。Whereshallweseeabetterdaughter，orakindersister，oratruerfriend？No，no；shehasqualitieswhichmaybetrusted；shewillneverleadanyonereallywrong；
shewillmakenolastingblunder；whereEmmaerrsonce，sheisintherightahundredtimes。”
“Verywell；Iwillnotplagueyouanymore。Emmashallbeanangel，andIwillkeepmyspleentomyselftillChristmasbringsJohnandIsabella。JohnlovesEmmawithareasonableandthereforenotablindaffection，andIsabellaalwaysthinksashedoes；
exceptwhenheisnotquitefrightenedenoughaboutthechildren。
Iamsureofhavingtheiropinionswithme。”
“Iknowthatyouallloveherreallytoowelltobeunjustorunkind；
butexcuseme，Mr。Knightley，ifItakethelibertyIconsidermyself，youknow，ashavingsomewhatoftheprivilegeofspeechthatEmma’smothermighthavehadthelibertyofhintingthatIdonotthinkanypossiblegoodcanarisefromHarrietSmith’sintimacybeingmadeamatterofmuchdiscussionamongyou。Prayexcuseme；butsupposinganylittleinconveniencemaybeapprehendedfromtheintimacy，itcannotbeexpectedthatEmma，accountabletonobodybutherfather，whoperfectlyapprovestheacquaintance，shouldputanendtoit，solongasitisasourceofpleasuretoherself。Ithasbeensomanyyearsmyprovincetogiveadvice，thatyoucannotbesurprized，Mr。Knightley，atthislittleremainsofoffice。”
“Notatall。”criedhe；“Iammuchobligedtoyouforit。
Itisverygoodadvice，anditshallhaveabetterfatethanyouradvicehasoftenfound；foritshallbeattendedto。”
“Mrs。JohnKnightleyiseasilyalarmed，andmightbemadeunhappyabouthersister。”
“Besatisfied。”saidhe，“Iwillnotraiseanyoutcry。Iwillkeepmyill-humourtomyself。IhaveaverysincereinterestinEmma。
Isabelladoesnotseemmoremysister；hasneverexcitedagreaterinterest；perhapshardlysogreat。Thereisananxiety，acuriosityinwhatonefeelsforEmma。Iwonderwhatwillbecomeofher！“
“SodoI。”saidMrs。Westongently，“verymuch。”
“Shealwaysdeclaresshewillnevermarry，which，ofcourse，meansjustnothingatall。ButIhavenoideathatshehasyeteverseenamanshecaredfor。Itwouldnotbeabadthingforhertobeverymuchinlovewithaproperobject。IshouldliketoseeEmmainlove，andinsomedoubtofareturn；itwoulddohergood。
Butthereisnobodyhereaboutstoattachher；andshegoessoseldomfromhome。”
“Theredoes，indeed，seemaslittletotempthertobreakherresolutionatpresent。”saidMrs。Weston，“ascanwellbe；
andwhilesheissohappyatHartfield，IcannotwishhertobeforminganyattachmentwhichwouldbecreatingsuchdifficultiesonpoorMr。Woodhouse’saccount。IdonotrecommendmatrimonyatpresenttoEmma，thoughImeannoslighttothestate，Iassureyou。”
PartofhermeaningwastoconcealsomefavouritethoughtsofherownandMr。Weston’sonthesubject，asmuchaspossible。
TherewerewishesatRandallsrespectingEmma’sdestiny，butitwasnotdesirabletohavethemsuspected；andthequiettransitionwhichMr。Knightleysoonafterwardsmadeto“WhatdoesWestonthinkoftheweather；shallwehaverain？“convincedherthathehadnothingmoretosayorsurmiseaboutHartfield。
Chapter07CHAPTERVI
EmmacouldnotfeeladoubtofhavinggivenHarriet’sfancyaproperdirectionandraisedthegratitudeofheryoungvanitytoaverygoodpurpose，forshefoundherdecidedlymoresensiblethanbeforeofMr。Elton’sbeingaremarkablyhandsomeman，withmostagreeablemanners；andasshehadnohesitationinfollowinguptheassuranceofhisadmirationbyagreeablehints，shewassoonprettyconfidentofcreatingasmuchlikingonHarriet’sside，astherecouldbeanyoccasionfor。ShewasquiteconvincedofMr。Elton’sbeinginthefairestwayoffallinginlove，ifnotinlovealready。Shehadnoscruplewithregardtohim。
HetalkedofHarriet，andpraisedhersowarmly，thatshecouldnotsupposeanythingwantingwhichalittletimewouldnotadd。
HisperceptionofthestrikingimprovementofHarriet’smanner，sinceherintroductionatHartfield，wasnotoneoftheleastagreeableproofsofhisgrowingattachment。
“YouhavegivenMissSmithallthatsherequired。”saidhe；
“youhavemadehergracefulandeasy。Shewasabeautifulcreaturewhenshecametoyou，but，inmyopinion，theattractionsyouhaveaddedareinfinitelysuperiortowhatshereceivedfromnature。”
“IamgladyouthinkIhavebeenusefultoher；butHarrietonlywanteddrawingout，andreceivingafew，veryfewhints。
Shehadallthenaturalgraceofsweetnessoftemperandartlessnessinherself。Ihavedoneverylittle。”
“Ifitwereadmissibletocontradictalady。”saidthegallantMr。Elton——
“Ihaveperhapsgivenheralittlemoredecisionofcharacter，havetaughthertothinkonpointswhichhadnotfalleninherwaybefore。”
“Exactlyso；thatiswhatprincipallystrikesme。Somuchsuperaddeddecisionofcharacter！Skilfulhasbeenthehand！“
“Greathasbeenthepleasure，Iamsure。Inevermetwithadispositionmoretrulyamiable。”
“Ihavenodoubtofit。”Anditwasspokenwithasortofsighinganimation，whichhadavastdealofthelover。
Shewasnotlesspleasedanotherdaywiththemannerinwhichhesecondedasuddenwishofhers，tohaveHarriet’spicture。
“Didyoueverhaveyourlikenesstaken，Harriet？“saidshe：“didyoueversitforyourpicture？“
Harrietwasonthepointofleavingtheroom，andonlystopttosay，withaveryinterestingnaivete，“Oh！dear，no，never。”
Nosoonerwassheoutofsight，thanEmmaexclaimed，“Whatanexquisitepossessionagoodpictureofherwouldbe！Iwouldgiveanymoneyforit。Ialmostlongtoattemptherlikenessmyself。
YoudonotknowitIdaresay，buttwoorthreeyearsagoIhadagreatpassionfortakinglikenesses，andattemptedseveralofmyfriends，andwasthoughttohaveatolerableeyeingeneral。
Butfromonecauseoranother，Igaveitupindisgust。
Butreally，Icouldalmostventure，ifHarrietwouldsittome。
Itwouldbesuchadelighttohaveherpicture！“
“Letmeentreatyou。”criedMr。Elton；“itwouldindeedbeadelight！
Letmeentreatyou，MissWoodhouse，toexercisesocharmingatalentinfavourofyourfriend。Iknowwhatyourdrawingsare。
Howcouldyousupposemeignorant？Isnotthisroomrichinspecimensofyourlandscapesandflowers；andhasnotMrs。Westonsomeinimitablefigure-piecesinherdrawing-room，atRandalls？“
Yes，goodman！——thoughtEmma——butwhathasallthattodowithtakinglikenesses？Youknownothingofdrawing。Don’tpretendtobeinrapturesaboutmine。KeepyourrapturesforHarriet’sface。
“Well，ifyougivemesuchkindencouragement，Mr。Elton，IbelieveIshalltrywhatIcando。Harriet’sfeaturesareverydelicate，whichmakesalikenessdifficult；andyetthereisapeculiarityintheshapeoftheeyeandthelinesaboutthemouthwhichoneoughttocatch。”
“Exactlyso——Theshapeoftheeyeandthelinesaboutthemouth——I
havenotadoubtofyoursuccess。Pray，prayattemptit。
Asyouwilldoit，itwillindeed，touseyourownwords，beanexquisitepossession。”
“ButIamafraid，Mr。Elton，Harrietwillnotliketosit。
Shethinkssolittleofherownbeauty。Didnotyouobservehermannerofansweringme？Howcompletelyitmeant，`whyshouldmypicturebedrawn？’“
“Oh！yes，Iobservedit，Iassureyou。Itwasnotlostonme。
ButstillIcannotimagineshewouldnotbepersuaded。”
Harrietwassoonbackagain，andtheproposalalmostimmediatelymade；
andshehadnoscrupleswhichcouldstandmanyminutesagainsttheearnestpressingofboththeothers。Emmawishedtogotoworkdirectly，andthereforeproducedtheportfoliocontaininghervariousattemptsatportraits，fornotoneofthemhadeverbeenfinished，thattheymightdecidetogetheronthebestsizeforHarriet。Hermanybeginningsweredisplayed。Miniatures，half-lengths，whole-lengths，pencil，crayon，andwater-colourshadbeenalltriedinturn。
Shehadalwayswantedtodoeverything，andhadmademoreprogressbothindrawingandmusicthanmanymighthavedonewithsolittlelabourasshewouldeversubmitto。Sheplayedandsang；——anddrewinalmosteverystyle；butsteadinesshadalwaysbeenwanting；
andinnothinghadsheapproachedthedegreeofexcellencewhichshewouldhavebeengladtocommand，andoughtnottohavefailedof。
Shewasnotmuchdeceivedastoherownskilleitherasanartistoramusician，butshewasnotunwillingtohaveothersdeceived，orsorrytoknowherreputationforaccomplishmentoftenhigherthanitdeserved。
Therewasmeritineverydrawing——intheleastfinished，perhapsthemost；
herstylewasspirited；buthadtherebeenmuchless，orhadtherebeententimesmore，thedelightandadmirationofhertwocompanionswouldhavebeenthesame。Theywerebothinecstasies。A
likenesspleaseseverybody；andMissWoodhouse’sperformancesmustbecapital。
“Nogreatvarietyoffacesforyou。”saidEmma。“Ihadonlymyownfamilytostudyfrom。Thereismyfather——anotherofmyfather——buttheideaofsittingforhispicturemadehimsonervous，thatIcouldonlytakehimbystealth；neitherofthemveryliketherefore。Mrs。Westonagain，andagain，andagain，yousee。
DearMrs。Weston！alwaysmykindestfriendoneveryoccasion。
ShewouldsitwheneverIaskedher。Thereismysister；andreallyquiteherownlittleelegantfigure！——andthefacenotunlike。
Ishouldhavemadeagoodlikenessofher，ifshewouldhavesatlonger，butshewasinsuchahurrytohavemedrawherfourchildrenthatshewouldnotbequiet。Then，herecomeallmyattemptsatthreeofthosefourchildren；——theretheyare，HenryandJohnandBella，fromoneendofthesheettotheother，andanyoneofthemmightdoforanyoneoftherest。ShewassoeagertohavethemdrawnthatIcouldnotrefuse；butthereisnomakingchildrenofthreeorfouryearsoldstandstillyouknow；
norcanitbeveryeasytotakeanylikenessofthem，beyondtheairandcomplexion，unlesstheyarecoarserfeaturedthananyofmama’schildreneverwere。Hereismysketchofthefourth，whowasababy。Itookhimashewassleepingonthesofa，anditisasstrongalikenessofhiscockadeasyouwouldwishtosee。
Hehadnestleddownhisheadmostconveniently。That’sverylike。
IamratherproudoflittleGeorge。Thecornerofthesofaisverygood。
Thenhereismylast。”——unclosingaprettysketchofagentlemaninsmallsize，whole-length——“mylastandmybest——mybrother，Mr。JohnKnightley——Thisdidnotwantmuchofbeingfinished，whenI
putitawayinapet，andvowedIwouldnevertakeanotherlikeness。
Icouldnothelpbeingprovoked；forafterallmypains，andwhenI
hadreallymadeaverygoodlikenessofit——Mrs。WestonandI
werequiteagreedinthinkingitverylike——onlytoohandsome——tooflattering——butthatwasafaultontherightside——afterallthis，camepoordearIsabella’scoldapprobationof——“Yes，itwasalittlelike——buttobesureitdidnotdohimjustice。”
Wehadhadagreatdealoftroubleinpersuadinghimtositatall。
Itwasmadeagreatfavourof；andaltogetheritwasmorethanI
couldbear；andsoIneverwouldfinishit，tohaveitapologisedoverasanunfavourablelikeness，toeverymorningvisitorinBrunswickSquare；——and，asIsaid，Ididthenforsweareverdrawinganybodyagain。ButforHarriet’ssake，orratherformyown，andastherearenohusbandsandwivesinthecaseatpresent，Iwillbreakmyresolutionnow。”
Mr。Eltonseemedveryproperlystruckanddelightedbytheidea，andwasrepeating，“Nohusbandsandwivesinthecaseatpresentindeed，asyouobserve。Exactlyso。Nohusbandsandwives。”
withsointerestingaconsciousness，thatEmmabegantoconsiderwhethershehadnotbetterleavethemtogetheratonce。Butasshewantedtobedrawing，thedeclarationmustwaitalittlelonger。
Shehadsoonfixedonthesizeandsortofportrait。
Itwastobeawhole-lengthinwater-colours，likeMr。JohnKnightley’s，andwasdestined，ifshecouldpleaseherself，toholdaveryhonourablestationoverthemantelpiece。
Thesittingbegan；andHarriet，smilingandblushing，andafraidofnotkeepingherattitudeandcountenance，presentedaverysweetmixtureofyouthfulexpressiontothesteadyeyesoftheartist。
Buttherewasnodoinganything，withMr。Eltonfidgetingbehindherandwatchingeverytouch。Shegavehimcreditforstationinghimselfwherehemightgazeandgazeagainwithoutoffence；
butwasreallyobligedtoputanendtoit，andrequesthimtoplacehimselfelsewhere。Itthenoccurredtohertoemployhiminreading。
“Ifhewouldbesogoodastoreadtothem，itwouldbeakindnessindeed！Itwouldamuseawaythedifficultiesofherpart，andlessentheirksomenessofMissSmith’s。”
Mr。Eltonwasonlytoohappy。Harrietlistened，andEmmadrewinpeace。Shemustallowhimtobestillfrequentlycomingtolook；
anythinglesswouldcertainlyhavebeentoolittleinalover；
andhewasreadyatthesmallestintermissionofthepencil，tojumpupandseetheprogress，andbecharmed——Therewasnobeingdispleasedwithsuchanencourager，forhisadmirationmadehimdiscernalikenessalmostbeforeitwaspossible。
Shecouldnotrespecthiseye，buthisloveandhiscomplaisancewereunexceptionable。
Thesittingwasaltogetherverysatisfactory；shewasquiteenoughpleasedwiththefirstday’ssketchtowishtogoon。
Therewasnowantoflikeness，shehadbeenfortunateintheattitude，andasshemeanttothrowinalittleimprovementtothefigure，togivealittlemoreheight，andconsiderablymoreelegance，shehadgreatconfidenceofitsbeingineverywayaprettydrawingatlast，andofitsfillingitsdestinedplacewithcredittothemboth——astandingmemorialofthebeautyofone，theskilloftheother，andthefriendshipofboth；withasmanyotheragreeableassociationsasMr。Elton’sverypromisingattachmentwaslikelytoadd。
Harrietwastositagainthenextday；andMr。Elton，justasheought，entreatedforthepermissionofattendingandreadingtothemagain。
“Byallmeans。Weshallbemosthappytoconsideryouasoneoftheparty。”
Thesamecivilitiesandcourtesies，thesamesuccessandsatisfaction，tookplaceonthemorrow，andaccompaniedthewholeprogressofthepicture，whichwasrapidandhappy。Everybodywhosawitwaspleased，butMr。Eltonwasincontinualraptures，anddefendeditthrougheverycriticism。
“MissWoodhousehasgivenherfriendtheonlybeautyshewanted。”——observedMrs。Westontohim——notintheleastsuspectingthatshewasaddressingalover——“Theexpressionoftheeyeismostcorrect，butMissSmithhasnotthoseeyebrowsandeyelashes。
Itisthefaultofherfacethatshehasthemnot。”
“Doyouthinkso？“repliedhe。“Icannotagreewithyou。
Itappearstomeamostperfectresemblanceineveryfeature。
Ineversawsuchalikenessinmylife。Wemustallowfortheeffectofshade，youknow。”
“Youhavemadehertootall，Emma。”saidMr。Knightley。
Emmaknewthatshehad，butwouldnotownit；andMr。Eltonwarmlyadded，“Ohno！certainlynottootall；notintheleasttootall。Consider，sheissittingdown——whichnaturallypresentsadifferent——whichinshortgivesexactlytheidea——andtheproportionsmustbepreserved，youknow。Proportions，fore-shortening——Ohno！
itgivesoneexactlytheideaofsuchaheightasMissSmith’s。Exactlysoindeed！“
“Itisverypretty。”saidMr。Woodhouse。“Soprettilydone！Justasyourdrawingsalwaysare，mydear。Idonotknowanybodywhodrawssowellasyoudo。TheonlythingIdonotthoroughlylikeis，thatsheseemstobesittingoutofdoors，withonlyalittleshawloverhershoulders——anditmakesonethinkshemustcatchcold。”
“But，mydearpapa，itissupposedtobesummer；awarmdayinsummer。
Lookatthetree。”
“Butitisneversafetositoutofdoors，mydear。”
“You，sir，maysayanything。”criedMr。Elton，“butImustconfessthatIregarditasamosthappythought，theplacingofMissSmithoutofdoors；andthetreeistouchedwithsuchinimitablespirit！Anyothersituationwouldhavebeenmuchlessincharacter。
ThenaiveteofMissSmith’smanners——andaltogether——Oh，itismostadmirable！Icannotkeepmyeyesfromit。Ineversawsuchalikeness。”
Thenextthingwantedwastogetthepictureframed；andherewereafewdifficulties。Itmustbedonedirectly；itmustbedoneinLondon；
theordermustgothroughthehandsofsomeintelligentpersonwhosetastecouldbedependedon；andIsabella，theusualdoerofallcommissions，mustnotbeappliedto，becauseitwasDecember，andMr。WoodhousecouldnotbeartheideaofherstirringoutofherhouseinthefogsofDecember。ButnosoonerwasthedistressknowntoMr。Elton，thanitwasremoved。Hisgallantrywasalwaysonthealert。
“Mighthebetrustedwiththecommission，whatinfinitepleasureshouldhehaveinexecutingit！hecouldridetoLondonatanytime。
Itwasimpossibletosayhowmuchheshouldbegratifiedbybeingemployedonsuchanerrand。”
“Hewastoogood！——shecouldnotendurethethought！——shewouldnotgivehimsuchatroublesomeofficefortheworld。”——broughtonthedesiredrepetitionofentreatiesandassurances，——andaveryfewminutessettledthebusiness。
Mr。EltonwastotakethedrawingtoLondon，chusetheframe，andgivethedirections；andEmmathoughtshecouldsopackitastoensureitssafetywithoutmuchincommodinghim，whileheseemedmostlyfearfulofnotbeingincommodedenough。
“Whatapreciousdeposit！“saidhewithatendersigh，ashereceivedit。
“Thismanisalmosttoogallanttobeinlove。”thoughtEmma。
“Ishouldsayso，butthatIsupposetheremaybeahundreddifferentwaysofbeinginlove。Heisanexcellentyoungman，andwillsuitHarrietexactly；itwillbean`Exactlyso，’ashesayshimself；
buthedoessighandlanguish，andstudyforcomplimentsrathermorethanIcouldendureasaprincipal。Icomeinforaprettygoodshareasasecond。ButitishisgratitudeonHarriet’saccount。”
Chapter07CHAPTERVII
TheverydayofMr。Elton’sgoingtoLondonproducedafreshoccasionforEmma’sservicestowardsherfriend。HarriethadbeenatHartfield，asusual，soonafterbreakfast；and，afteratime，hadgonehometoreturnagaintodinner：shereturned，andsoonerthanhadbeentalkedof，andwithanagitated，hurriedlook，announcingsomethingextraordinarytohavehappenedwhichshewaslongingtotell。
Halfaminutebroughtitallout。Shehadheard，assoonasshegotbacktoMrs。Goddard’s，thatMr。Martinhadbeenthereanhourbefore，andfindingshewasnotathome，norparticularlyexpected，hadleftalittleparcelforherfromoneofhissisters，andgoneaway；
andonopeningthisparcel，shehadactuallyfound，besidesthetwosongswhichshehadlentElizabethtocopy，alettertoherself；
andthisletterwasfromhim，fromMr。Martin，andcontainedadirectproposalofmarriage。“Whocouldhavethoughtit？Shewassosurprizedshedidnotknowwhattodo。Yes，quiteaproposalofmarriage；
andaverygoodletter，atleastshethoughtso。Andhewroteasifhereallylovedherverymuch——butshedidnotknow——andso，shewascomeasfastasshecouldtoaskMissWoodhousewhatsheshoulddo——“Emmawashalf-ashamedofherfriendforseemingsopleasedandsodoubtful。
“Uponmyword。”shecried，“theyoungmanisdeterminednottoloseanythingforwantofasking。Hewillconnecthimselfwellifhecan。”
“Willyoureadtheletter？“criedHarriet。“Praydo。I’dratheryouwould。”
Emmawasnotsorrytobepressed。Sheread，andwassurprized。
Thestyleoftheletterwasmuchaboveherexpectation。
Therewerenotmerelynogrammaticalerrors，butasacompositionitwouldnothavedisgracedagentleman；thelanguage，thoughplain，wasstrongandunaffected，andthesentimentsitconveyedverymuchtothecreditofthewriter。Itwasshort，butexpressedgoodsense，warmattachment，liberality，propriety，evendelicacyoffeeling。
Shepausedoverit，whileHarrietstoodanxiouslywatchingforheropinion，witha“Well，well。”andwasatlastforcedtoadd，“Isitagoodletter？orisittooshort？“
“Yes，indeed，averygoodletter。”repliedEmmaratherslowly——“sogoodaletter，Harriet，thateverythingconsidered，Ithinkoneofhissistersmusthavehelpedhim。IcanhardlyimaginetheyoungmanwhomIsawtalkingwithyoutheotherdaycouldexpresshimselfsowell，ifleftquitetohisownpowers，andyetitisnotthestyleofawoman；no，certainly，itistoostrongandconcise；
notdiffuseenoughforawoman。Nodoubtheisasensibleman，andIsupposemayhaveanaturaltalentfor——thinksstronglyandclearly——andwhenhetakesapeninhand，histhoughtsnaturallyfindproperwords。Itissowithsomemen。Yes，Iunderstandthesortofmind。Vigorous，decided，withsentimentstoacertainpoint，notcoarse。Abetterwrittenletter，Harrietreturningit，
thanIhadexpected。”
“Well。”saidthestillwaitingHarriet；——“well——and——andwhatshallIdo？“
“Whatshallyoudo！Inwhatrespect？Doyoumeanwithregardtothisletter？“
“Yes。”
“Butwhatareyouindoubtof？Youmustansweritofcourse——andspeedily。”
“Yes。ButwhatshallIsay？DearMissWoodhouse，doadviseme。”
“Ohno，no！theletterhadmuchbetterbeallyourown。Youwillexpressyourselfveryproperly，Iamsure。Thereisnodangerofyournotbeingintelligible，whichisthefirstthing。Yourmeaningmustbeunequivocal；nodoubtsordemurs：andsuchexpressionsofgratitudeandconcernforthepainyouareinflictingasproprietyrequires，willpresentthemselvesunbiddentoyourmind，Iampersuaded。
Youneednotbepromptedtowritewiththeappearanceofsorrowforhisdisappointment。”
“YouthinkIoughttorefusehimthen。”saidHarriet，lookingdown。
“Oughttorefusehim！MydearHarriet，whatdoyoumean？Areyouinanydoubtastothat？Ithought——butIbegyourpardon，perhapsI
havebeenunderamistake。Icertainlyhavebeenmisunderstandingyou，ifyoufeelindoubtastothepurportofyouranswer。
Ihadimaginedyouwereconsultingmeonlyastothewordingofit。”
Harrietwassilent。Withalittlereserveofmanner，Emmacontinued：
“Youmeantoreturnafavourableanswer，Icollect。”
“No，Idonot；thatis，Idonotmean——WhatshallIdo？Whatwouldyouadvisemetodo？Pray，dearMissWoodhouse，tellmewhatI
oughttodo。”
“Ishallnotgiveyouanyadvice，Harriet。Iwillhavenothingtodowithit。Thisisapointwhichyoumustsettlewithyourfeelings。”
“Ihadnonotionthathelikedmesoverymuch。”saidHarriet，contemplatingtheletter。ForalittlewhileEmmaperseveredinhersilence；butbeginningtoapprehendthebewitchingflatteryofthatlettermightbetoopowerful，shethoughtitbesttosay，“Ilayitdownasageneralrule，Harriet，thatifawomandoubtsastowhethersheshouldacceptamanornot，shecertainlyoughttorefusehim。Ifshecanhesitateasto`Yes，’sheoughttosay`No’directly。Itisnotastatetobesafelyenteredintowithdoubtfulfeelings，withhalfaheart。Ithoughtitmydutyasafriend，andolderthanyourself，tosaythusmuchtoyou。
ButdonotimaginethatIwanttoinfluenceyou。”
“Oh！no，Iamsureyouareagreatdealtookindto——butifyouwouldjustadvisemewhatIhadbestdo——No，no，Idonotmeanthat——Asyousay，one’smindoughttobequitemadeup——Oneshouldnotbehesitating——Itisaveryseriousthing——Itwillbesafertosay`No，’perhaps——DoyouthinkIhadbettersay`No？’“
“Notfortheworld。”saidEmma，smilinggraciously，“wouldIadviseyoueitherway。Youmustbethebestjudgeofyourownhappiness。
IfyoupreferMr。Martintoeveryotherperson；ifyouthinkhimthemostagreeablemanyouhaveeverbeenincompanywith，whyshouldyouhesitate？Youblush，Harriet——Doesanybodyelseoccurtoyouatthismomentundersuchadefinition？Harriet，Harriet，donotdeceiveyourself；donotberunawaywithbygratitudeandcompassion。
Atthismomentwhomareyouthinkingof？“
Thesymptomswerefavourable——Insteadofanswering，Harrietturnedawayconfused，andstoodthoughtfullybythefire；andthoughtheletterwasstillinherhand，itwasnowmechanicallytwistedaboutwithoutregard。Emmawaitedtheresultwithimpatience，butnotwithoutstronghopes。Atlast，withsomehesitation，Harrietsaid——
“MissWoodhouse，asyouwillnotgivemeyouropinion，ImustdoaswellasIcanbymyself；andIhavenowquitedetermined，andreallyalmostmadeupmymind——torefuseMr。Martin。DoyouthinkIamright？“
“Perfectly，perfectlyright，mydearestHarriet；youaredoingjustwhatyouought。WhileyouwereatallinsuspenseIkeptmyfeelingstomyself，butnowthatyouaresocompletelydecidedIhavenohesitationinapproving。DearHarriet，Igivemyselfjoyofthis。
Itwouldhavegrievedmetoloseyouracquaintance，whichmusthavebeentheconsequenceofyourmarryingMr。Martin。Whileyouwereinthesmallestdegreewavering，Isaidnothingaboutit，becauseIwouldnotinfluence；butitwouldhavebeenthelossofafriendtome。
IcouldnothavevisitedMrs。RobertMartin，ofAbbey-MillFarm。
NowIamsecureofyouforever。”
Harriethadnotsurmisedherowndanger，buttheideaofitstruckherforcibly。
“Youcouldnothavevisitedme！“shecried，lookingaghast。
“No，tobesureyoucouldnot；butIneverthoughtofthatbefore。
Thatwouldhavebeentoodreadful！——Whatanescape！——DearMissWoodhouse，Iwouldnotgiveupthepleasureandhonourofbeingintimatewithyouforanythingintheworld。”
“Indeed，Harriet，itwouldhavebeenaseverepangtoloseyou；
butitmusthavebeen。Youwouldhavethrownyourselfoutofallgoodsociety。Imusthavegivenyouup。”
“Dearme！——HowshouldIeverhaveborneit！ItwouldhavekilledmenevertocometoHartfieldanymore！“
“Dearaffectionatecreature！——YoubanishedtoAbbey-MillFarm！——Youconfinedtothesocietyoftheilliterateandvulgarallyourlife！
Iwonderhowtheyoungmancouldhavetheassurancetoaskit。
Hemusthaveaprettygoodopinionofhimself。”
“Idonotthinkheisconceitedeither，ingeneral。”saidHarriet，herconscienceopposingsuchcensure；“atleast，heisverygoodnatured，andIshallalwaysfeelmuchobligedtohim，andhaveagreatregardfor——butthatisquiteadifferentthingfrom——andyouknow，thoughhemaylikeme，itdoesnotfollowthatIshould——andcertainlyImustconfessthatsincemyvisitinghereIhaveseenpeople——andifonecomestocomparethem，personandmanners，thereisnocomparisonatall，oneissoveryhandsomeandagreeable。
However，IdoreallythinkMr。Martinaveryamiableyoungman，andhaveagreatopinionofhim；andhisbeingsomuchattachedtome——andhiswritingsuchaletter——butastoleavingyou，itiswhatIwouldnotdouponanyconsideration。”
“Thankyou，thankyou，myownsweetlittlefriend。Wewillnotbeparted。Awomanisnottomarryamanmerelybecausesheisasked，orbecauseheisattachedtoher，andcanwriteatolerableletter。”
“Ohno；——anditisbutashortlettertoo。”
Emmafeltthebadtasteofherfriend，butletitpasswitha“verytrue；anditwouldbeasmallconsolationtoher，fortheclownishmannerwhichmightbeoffendinghereveryhouroftheday，toknowthatherhusbandcouldwriteagoodletter。”
“Oh！yes，very。Nobodycaresforaletter；thethingis，tobealwayshappywithpleasantcompanions。Iamquitedeterminedtorefusehim。
ButhowshallIdo？ThatshallIsay？“
Emmaassuredhertherewouldbenodifficultyintheanswer，andadviseditsbeingwrittendirectly，whichwasagreedto，inthehopeofherassistance；andthoughEmmacontinuedtoprotestagainstanyassistancebeingwanted，itwasinfactgivenintheformationofeverysentence。Thelookingoverhisletteragain，inreplyingtoit，hadsuchasofteningtendency，thatitwasparticularlynecessarytobraceherupwithafewdecisiveexpressions；
andshewassoverymuchconcernedattheideaofmakinghimunhappy，andthoughtsomuchofwhathismotherandsisterswouldthinkandsay，andwassoanxiousthattheyshouldnotfancyherungrateful，thatEmmabelievediftheyoungmanhadcomeinherwayatthatmoment，hewouldhavebeenacceptedafterall。
Thisletter，however，waswritten，andsealed，andsent。
Thebusinesswasfinished，andHarrietsafe。Shewasratherlowalltheevening，butEmmacouldallowforheramiableregrets，andsometimesrelievedthembyspeakingofherownaffection，sometimesbybringingforwardtheideaofMr。Elton。
“IshallneverbeinvitedtoAbbey-Millagain。”wassaidinratherasorrowfultone。
“Nor，ifyouwere，couldIeverbeartopartwithyou，myHarriet。
YouareagreatdealtoonecessaryatHartfieldtobesparedtoAbbey-Mill。”
“AndIamsureIshouldneverwanttogothere；forIamneverhappybutatHartfield。”
Sometimeafterwardsitwas，“IthinkMrs。Goddardwouldbeverymuchsurprizedifsheknewwhathadhappened。IamsureMissNashwould——forMissNashthinksherownsisterverywellmarried，anditisonlyalinen-draper。”
“Oneshouldbesorrytoseegreaterprideorrefinementintheteacherofaschool，Harriet。IdaresayMissNashwouldenvyyousuchanopportunityasthisofbeingmarried。Eventhisconquestwouldappearvaluableinhereyes。Astoanythingsuperiorforyou，Isupposesheisquiteinthedark。Theattentionsofacertainpersoncanhardlybeamongthetittle-tattleofHighburyyet。
HithertoIfancyyouandIaretheonlypeopletowhomhislooksandmannershaveexplainedthemselves。”
Harrietblushedandsmiled，andsaidsomethingaboutwonderingthatpeopleshouldlikehersomuch。TheideaofMr。Eltonwascertainlycheering；butstill，afteratime，shewastender-heartedagaintowardstherejectedMr。Martin。
“Nowhehasgotmyletter。”saidshesoftly。“Iwonderwhattheyarealldoing——whetherhissistersknow——ifheisunhappy，theywillbeunhappytoo。Ihopehewillnotminditsoverymuch。”
“Letusthinkofthoseamongourabsentfriendswhoaremorecheerfullyemployed。”criedEmma。“Atthismoment，perhaps，Mr。
Eltonisshewingyourpicturetohismotherandsisters，tellinghowmuchmorebeautifulistheoriginal，andafterbeingaskedforitfiveorsixtimes，allowingthemtohearyourname，yourowndearname。”
“Mypicture！——ButhehasleftmypictureinBond-street。”
“Hasheso！——ThenIknownothingofMr。Elton。No，mydearlittlemodestHarriet，dependuponitthepicturewillnotbeinBond-streettilljustbeforehemountshishorseto-morrow。
Itishiscompanionallthisevening，hissolace，hisdelight。
Itopenshisdesignstohisfamily，itintroducesyouamongthem，itdiffusesthroughthepartythosepleasantestfeelingsofournature，eagercuriosityandwarmprepossession。Howcheerful，howanimated，howsuspicious，howbusytheirimaginationsallare！“
Harrietsmiledagain，andhersmilesgrewstronger。
Chapter08CHAPTERVIII
HarrietsleptatHartfieldthatnight。Forsomeweekspastshehadbeenspendingmorethanhalfhertimethere，andgraduallygettingtohaveabed-roomappropriatedtoherself；andEmmajudgeditbestineveryrespect，safestandkindest，tokeepherwiththemasmuchaspossiblejustatpresent。ShewasobligedtogothenextmorningforanhourortwotoMrs。Goddard’s，butitwasthentobesettledthatsheshouldreturntoHartfield，tomakearegularvisitofsomedays。
Whileshewasgone，Mr。Knightleycalled，andsatsometimewithMr。WoodhouseandEmma，tillMr。Woodhouse，whohadpreviouslymadeuphismindtowalkout，waspersuadedbyhisdaughternottodeferit，andwasinducedbytheentreatiesofboth，thoughagainstthescruplesofhisowncivility，toleaveMr。Knightleyforthatpurpose。
Mr。Knightley，whohadnothingofceremonyabouthim，wasofferingbyhisshort，decidedanswers，anamusingcontrasttotheprotractedapologiesandcivilhesitationsoftheother。
“Well，Ibelieve，ifyouwillexcuseme，Mr。Knightley，ifyouwillnotconsidermeasdoingaveryrudething，IshalltakeEmma’sadviceandgooutforaquarterofanhour。Asthesunisout，IbelieveIhadbettertakemythreeturnswhileIcan。
Itreatyouwithoutceremony，Mr。Knightley。Weinvalidsthinkweareprivilegedpeople。”
“Mydearsir，donotmakeastrangerofme。”
“Ileaveanexcellentsubstituteinmydaughter。Emmawillbehappytoentertainyou。AndthereforeIthinkIwillbegyourexcuseandtakemythreeturns——mywinterwalk。”
“Youcannotdobetter，sir。”
“Iwouldaskforthepleasureofyourcompany，Mr。Knightley，butIamaveryslowwalker，andmypacewouldbetedioustoyou；
and，besides，youhaveanotherlongwalkbeforeyou，toDonwellAbbey。”
“Thankyou，sir，thankyou；Iamgoingthismomentmyself；andI
thinkthesooneryougothebetter。Iwillfetchyourgreatcoatandopenthegardendoorforyou。”
Mr。Woodhouseatlastwasoff；butMr。Knightley，insteadofbeingimmediatelyofflikewise，satdownagain，seeminglyinclinedformorechat。HebeganspeakingofHarriet，andspeakingofherwithmorevoluntarypraisethanEmmahadeverheardbefore。
“Icannotrateherbeautyasyoudo。”saidhe；“butsheisaprettylittlecreature，andIaminclinedtothinkverywellofherdisposition。Hercharacterdependsuponthosesheiswith；
butingoodhandsshewillturnoutavaluablewoman。”
“Iamgladyouthinkso；andthegoodhands，Ihope，maynotbewanting。”
“Come。”saidhe，“youareanxiousforacompliment，soIwilltellyouthatyouhaveimprovedher。Youhavecuredherofherschool-girl’sgiggle；shereallydoesyoucredit。”
“Thankyou。IshouldbemortifiedindeedifIdidnotbelieveI
hadbeenofsomeuse；butitisnoteverybodywhowillbestowpraisewheretheymay。Youdonotoftenoverpowermewithit。”
“Youareexpectingheragain，yousay，thismorning？“
“Almosteverymoment。Shehasbeengonelongeralreadythansheintended。”
“Somethinghashappenedtodelayher；somevisitorsperhaps。”
“Highburygossips！——Tiresomewretches！“
“Harrietmaynotconsidereverybodytiresomethatyouwould。”
Emmaknewthiswastootrueforcontradiction，andthereforesaidnothing。Hepresentlyadded，withasmile，“Idonotpretendtofixontimesorplaces，butImusttellyouthatIhavegoodreasontobelieveyourlittlefriendwillsoonhearofsomethingtoheradvantage。”
“Indeed！howso？ofwhatsort？“
“Averyserioussort，Iassureyou；“stillsmiling。
“Veryserious！Icanthinkofbutonething——Whoisinlovewithher？Whomakesyoutheirconfidant？“
EmmawasmorethanhalfinhopesofMr。Elton’shavingdroptahint。
Mr。Knightleywasasortofgeneralfriendandadviser，andsheknewMr。Eltonlookeduptohim。
“Ihavereasontothink。”hereplied，“thatHarrietSmithwillsoonhaveanofferofmarriage，andfromamostunexceptionablequarter：——RobertMartinistheman。HervisittoAbbey-Mill，thissummer，seemstohavedonehisbusiness。Heisdesperatelyinloveandmeanstomarryher。”
“Heisveryobliging。”saidEmma；“butishesurethatHarrietmeanstomarryhim？“
“Well，well，meanstomakeheranofferthen。Willthatdo？HecametotheAbbeytwoeveningsago，onpurposetoconsultmeaboutit。
HeknowsIhaveathoroughregardforhimandallhisfamily，and，Ibelieve，considersmeasoneofhisbestfriends。HecametoaskmewhetherIthoughtitwouldbeimprudentinhimtosettlesoearly；
whetherIthoughthertooyoung：inshort，whetherIapprovedhischoicealtogether；havingsomeapprehensionperhapsofherbeingconsideredespeciallysinceyourmakingsomuchofherasinalineofsocietyabovehim。Iwasverymuchpleasedwithallthathesaid。
IneverhearbettersensefromanyonethanRobertMartin。
Healwaysspeakstothepurpose；open，straightforward，andverywelljudging。Hetoldmeeverything；hiscircumstancesandplans，andwhattheyallproposeddoingintheeventofhismarriage。
Heisanexcellentyoungman，bothassonandbrother。Ihadnohesitationinadvisinghimtomarry。Heprovedtomethathecouldaffordit；
andthatbeingthecase，Iwasconvincedhecouldnotdobetter。
Ipraisedthefairladytoo，andaltogethersenthimawayveryhappy。
Ifhehadneveresteemedmyopinionbefore，hewouldhavethoughthighlyofmethen；and，Idaresay，leftthehousethinkingmethebestfriendandcounsellormaneverhad。Thishappenedthenightbeforelast。Now，aswemayfairlysuppose，hewouldnotallowmuchtimetopassbeforehespoketothelady，andashedoesnotappeartohavespokenyesterday，itisnotunlikelythatheshouldbeatMrs。Goddard’sto-day；andshemaybedetainedbyavisitor，withoutthinkinghimatallatiresomewretch。”
“Pray，Mr。Knightley。”saidEmma，whohadbeensmilingtoherselfthroughagreatpartofthisspeech，“howdoyouknowthatMr。Martindidnotspeakyesterday？“
“Certainly。”repliedhe，surprized，“Idonotabsolutelyknowit；
butitmaybeinferred。Wasnotshethewholedaywithyou？“
“Come。”saidshe，“Iwilltellyousomething，inreturnforwhatyouhavetoldme。Hedidspeakyesterday——thatis，hewrote，andwasrefused。”
Thiswasobligedtoberepeatedbeforeitcouldbebelieved；
andMr。Knightleyactuallylookedredwithsurprizeanddispleasure，ashestoodup，intallindignation，andsaid，“ThensheisagreatersimpletonthanIeverbelievedher。
Whatisthefoolishgirlabout？“
“Oh！tobesure。”criedEmma，“itisalwaysincomprehensibletoamanthatawomanshouldeverrefuseanofferofmarriage。
Amanalwaysimaginesawomantobereadyforanybodywhoasksher。”
“Nonsense！amandoesnotimagineanysuchthing。Butwhatisthemeaningofthis？HarrietSmithrefuseRobertMartin？madness，ifitisso；butIhopeyouaremistaken。”
“Isawheranswer！——nothingcouldbeclearer。”
“Yousawheranswer！——youwroteheranswertoo。Emma，thisisyourdoing。Youpersuadedhertorefusehim。”
“AndifIdid，which，however，IamfarfromallowingIshouldnotfeelthatIhaddonewrong。Mr。Martinisaveryrespectableyoungman，butIcannotadmithimtobeHarriet’sequal；andamrathersurprizedindeedthatheshouldhaveventuredtoaddressher。
Byyouraccount，hedoesseemtohavehadsomescruples。Itisapitythattheywereevergotover。”
“NotHarriet’sequal！“exclaimedMr。Knightleyloudlyandwarmly；
andwithcalmerasperity，added，afewmomentsafterwards，“No，heisnotherequalindeed，forheisasmuchhersuperiorinsenseasinsituation。Emma，yourinfatuationaboutthatgirlblindsyou。
WhatareHarrietSmith’sclaims，eitherofbirth，natureoreducation，toanyconnexionhigherthanRobertMartin？Sheisthenaturaldaughterofnobodyknowswhom，withprobablynosettledprovisionatall，andcertainlynorespectablerelations。Sheisknownonlyasparlour-boarderatacommonschool。Sheisnotasensiblegirl，noragirlofanyinformation。Shehasbeentaughtnothinguseful，andistooyoungandtoosimpletohaveacquiredanythingherself。
Atherageshecanhavenoexperience，andwithherlittlewit，isnotverylikelyevertohaveanythatcanavailher。
Sheispretty，andsheisgoodtempered，andthatisall。
Myonlyscrupleinadvisingthematchwasonhisaccount，asbeingbeneathhisdeserts，andabadconnexionforhim。Ifeltthat，astofortune，inallprobabilityhemightdomuchbetter；andthatastoarationalcompanionorusefulhelpmate，hecouldnotdoworse。
ButIcouldnotreasonsotoamaninlove，andwaswillingtotrusttotherebeingnoharminher，toherhavingthatsortofdisposition，which，ingoodhands，likehis，mightbeeasilyledarightandturnoutverywell。TheadvantageofthematchIfelttobeallonherside；andhadnotthesmallestdoubtnorhaveInow
thattherewouldbeageneralcry-outuponherextremegoodluck。
EvenyoursatisfactionImadesureof。Itcrossedmymindimmediatelythatyouwouldnotregretyourfriend’sleavingHighbury，forthesakeofherbeingsettledsowell。Iremembersayingtomyself，`EvenEmma，withallherpartialityforHarriet，willthinkthisagoodmatch。’“
“IcannothelpwonderingatyourknowingsolittleofEmmaastosayanysuchthing。What！thinkafarmer，andwithallhissenseandallhismeritMr。Martinisnothingmore，agoodmatchformyintimatefriend！NotregretherleavingHighburyforthesakeofmarryingamanwhomIcouldneveradmitasanacquaintanceofmyown！I
wonderyoushouldthinkitpossibleformetohavesuchfeelings。
Iassureyoumineareverydifferent。Imustthinkyourstatementbynomeansfair。YouarenotjusttoHarriet’sclaims。
Theywouldbeestimatedverydifferentlybyothersaswellasmyself；
Mr。Martinmaybetherichestofthetwo，butheisundoubtedlyherinferiorastorankinsociety——Thesphereinwhichshemovesismuchabovehis——Itwouldbeadegradation。”
“Adegradationtoillegitimacyandignorance，tobemarriedtoarespectable，intelligentgentleman-farmer！“
“Astothecircumstancesofherbirth，thoughinalegalsenseshemaybecalledNobody，itwillnotholdincommonsense。
Sheisnottopayfortheoffenceofothers，bybeingheldbelowthelevelofthosewithwhomsheisbroughtup——Therecanscarcelybeadoubtthatherfatherisagentleman——andagentlemanoffortune——Herallowanceisveryliberal；nothinghaseverbeengrudgedforherimprovementorcomfort——Thatsheisagentleman’sdaughter，isindubitabletome；thatsheassociateswithgentlemen’sdaughters，noone，Iapprehend，willdeny——SheissuperiortoMr。RobertMartin。”
“Whoevermightbeherparents。”saidMr。Knightley，“whoevermayhavehadthechargeofher，itdoesnotappeartohavebeenanypartoftheirplantointroduceherintowhatyouwouldcallgoodsociety。
AfterreceivingaveryindifferenteducationsheisleftinMrs。Goddard’shandstoshiftasshecan；——tomove，inshort，inMrs。Goddard’sline，tohaveMrs。Goddard’sacquaintance。
Herfriendsevidentlythoughtthisgoodenoughforher；anditwasgoodenough。Shedesirednothingbetterherself。Tillyouchosetoturnherintoafriend，hermindhadnodistasteforherownset，noranyambitionbeyondit。ShewasashappyaspossiblewiththeMartinsinthesummer。Shehadnosenseofsuperioritythen。
Ifshehasitnow，youhavegivenit。YouhavebeennofriendtoHarrietSmith，Emma。RobertMartinwouldneverhaveproceededsofar，ifhehadnotfeltpersuadedofhernotbeingdisinclinedtohim。
Iknowhimwell。Hehastoomuchrealfeelingtoaddressanywomanonthehaphazardofselfishpassion。Andastoconceit，heisthefarthestfromitofanymanIknow。Dependuponithehadencouragement。”
ItwasmostconvenienttoEmmanottomakeadirectreplytothisassertion；shechoserathertotakeupherownlineofthesubjectagain。
“YouareaverywarmfriendtoMr。Martin；but，asIsaidbefore，areunjusttoHarriet。Harriet’sclaimstomarrywellarenotsocontemptibleasyourepresentthem。Sheisnotaclevergirl，butshehasbettersensethanyouareawareof，anddoesnotdeservetohaveherunderstandingspokenofsoslightingly。
Waivingthatpoint，however，andsupposinghertobe，asyoudescribeher，onlyprettyandgood-natured，letmetellyou，thatinthedegreeshepossessesthem，theyarenottrivialrecommendationstotheworldingeneral，forsheis，infact，abeautifulgirl，andmustbethoughtsobyninety-ninepeopleoutofanhundred；
andtillitappearsthatmenaremuchmorephilosophiconthesubjectofbeautythantheyaregenerallysupposed；tilltheydofallinlovewithwell-informedmindsinsteadofhandsomefaces，agirl，withsuchlovelinessasHarriet，hasacertaintyofbeingadmiredandsoughtafter，ofhavingthepowerofchusingfromamongmany，consequentlyaclaimtobenice。Hergood-nature，too，isnotsoveryslightaclaim，comprehending，asitdoes，real，thoroughsweetnessoftemperandmanner，averyhumbleopinionofherself，andagreatreadinesstobepleasedwithotherpeople。Iamverymuchmistakenifyoursexingeneralwouldnotthinksuchbeauty，andsuchtemper，thehighestclaimsawomancouldpossess。”
“Uponmyword，Emma，tohearyouabusingthereasonyouhave，isalmostenoughtomakemethinksotoo。Betterbewithoutsense，thanmisapplyitasyoudo。”
“Tobesure！“criedsheplayfully。“Iknowthatisthefeelingofyouall。IknowthatsuchagirlasHarrietisexactlywhateverymandelightsin——whatatoncebewitcheshissensesandsatisfieshisjudgment。Oh！Harrietmaypickandchuse。
Wereyou，yourself，evertomarry，sheistheverywomanforyou。
Andisshe，atseventeen，justenteringintolife，justbeginningtobeknown，tobewonderedatbecauseshedoesnotacceptthefirstoffershereceives？No——prayletherhavetimetolookabouther。”
“Ihavealwaysthoughtitaveryfoolishintimacy。”saidMr。Knightleypresently，“thoughIhavekeptmythoughtstomyself；butInowperceivethatitwillbeaveryunfortunateoneforHarriet。
Youwillpuffherupwithsuchideasofherownbeauty，andofwhatshehasaclaimto，that，inalittlewhile，nobodywithinherreachwillbegoodenoughforher。Vanityworkingonaweakhead，produceseverysortofmischief。Nothingsoeasyasforayoungladytoraiseherexpectationstoohigh。MissHarrietSmithmaynotfindoffersofmarriageflowinsofast，thoughsheisaveryprettygirl。
Menofsense，whateveryoumaychusetosay，donotwantsillywives。
Menoffamilywouldnotbeveryfondofconnectingthemselveswithagirlofsuchobscurity——andmostprudentmenwouldbeafraidoftheinconvenienceanddisgracetheymightbeinvolvedin，whenthemysteryofherparentagecametoberevealed。LethermarryRobertMartin，andsheissafe，respectable，andhappyforever；
butifyouencouragehertoexpecttomarrygreatly，andteachhertobesatisfiedwithnothinglessthanamanofconsequenceandlargefortune，shemaybeaparlour-boarderatMrs。Goddard’salltherestofherlife——or，atleast，forHarrietSmithisagirlwhowillmarrysomebodyorother，tillshegrowdesperate，andisgladtocatchattheoldwriting-master’sson。”
“Wethinksoverydifferentlyonthispoint，Mr。Knightley，thattherecanbenouseincanvassingit。Weshallonlybemakingeachothermoreangry。ButastomylettinghermarryRobertMartin，itisimpossible；shehasrefusedhim，andsodecidedly，Ithink，asmustpreventanysecondapplication。Shemustabidebytheevilofhavingrefusedhim，whateveritmaybe；andastotherefusalitself，IwillnotpretendtosaythatImightnotinfluenceheralittle；
butIassureyoutherewasverylittleformeorforanybodytodo。
Hisappearanceissomuchagainsthim，andhismannersobad，thatifsheeverweredisposedtofavourhim，sheisnotnow。
Icanimagine，thatbeforeshehadseenanybodysuperior，shemighttoleratehim。Hewasthebrotherofherfriends，andhetookpainstopleaseher；andaltogether，havingseennobodybetterthatmusthavebeenhisgreatassistant
shemightnot，whileshewasatAbbey-Mill，findhimdisagreeable。
Butthecaseisalterednow。Sheknowsnowwhatgentlemenare；
andnothingbutagentlemanineducationandmannerhasanychancewithHarriet。”
“Nonsense，errantnonsense，aseverwastalked！“criedMr。Knightley——“RobertMartin’smannershavesense，sincerity，andgood-humourtorecommendthem；andhismindhasmoretruegentilitythanHarrietSmithcouldunderstand。”
Emmamadenoanswer，andtriedtolookcheerfullyunconcerned，butwasreallyfeelinguncomfortableandwantinghimverymuchtobegone。
Shedidnotrepentwhatshehaddone；shestillthoughtherselfabetterjudgeofsuchapointoffemalerightandrefinementthanhecouldbe；butyetshehadasortofhabitualrespectforhisjudgmentingeneral，whichmadeherdislikehavingitsoloudlyagainsther；
andtohavehimsittingjustoppositetoherinangrystate，wasverydisagreeable。Someminutespassedinthisunpleasantsilence，withonlyoneattemptonEmma’ssidetotalkoftheweather，buthemadenoanswer。Hewasthinking。Theresultofhisthoughtsappearedatlastinthesewords。
“RobertMartinhasnogreatloss——ifhecanbutthinkso；andI
hopeitwillnotbelongbeforehedoes。YourviewsforHarrietarebestknowntoyourself；butasyoumakenosecretofyourloveofmatch-making，itisfairtosupposethatviews，andplans，andprojectsyouhave；——andasafriendIshalljusthinttoyouthatifEltonistheman，Ithinkitwillbealllabourinvain。”
Emmalaughedanddisclaimed。Hecontinued，“Dependuponit，Eltonwillnotdo。Eltonisaverygoodsortofman，andaveryrespectablevicarofHighbury，butnotatalllikelytomakeanimprudentmatch。Heknowsthevalueofagoodincomeaswellasanybody。Eltonmaytalksentimentally，buthewillactrationally。Heisaswellacquaintedwithhisownclaims，asyoucanbewithHarriet’s。Heknowsthatheisaveryhandsomeyoungman，andagreatfavouritewhereverhegoes；andfromhisgeneralwayoftalkinginunreservedmoments，whenthereareonlymenpresent，Iamconvincedthathedoesnotmeantothrowhimselfaway。
Ihaveheardhimspeakwithgreatanimationofalargefamilyofyoungladiesthathissistersareintimatewith，whohavealltwentythousandpoundsapiece。”
“Iamverymuchobligedtoyou。”saidEmma，laughingagain。
“IfIhadsetmyheartonMr。Elton’smarryingHarriet，itwouldhavebeenverykindtoopenmyeyes；butatpresentIonlywanttokeepHarriettomyself。Ihavedonewithmatch-makingindeed。
IcouldneverhopetoequalmyowndoingsatRandalls。IshallleaveoffwhileIamwell。”
“Goodmorningtoyou。”——saidhe，risingandwalkingoffabruptly。
Hewasverymuchvexed。Hefeltthedisappointmentoftheyoungman，andwasmortifiedtohavebeenthemeansofpromotingit，bythesanctionhehadgiven；andthepartwhichhewaspersuadedEmmahadtakenintheaffair，wasprovokinghimexceedingly。
Emmaremainedinastateofvexationtoo；buttherewasmoreindistinctnessinthecausesofher’s，thaninhis。Shedidnotalwaysfeelsoabsolutelysatisfiedwithherself，soentirelyconvincedthatheropinionswererightandheradversary’swrong，asMr。Knightley。
Hewalkedoffinmorecompleteself-approbationthanheleftforher。
Shewasnotsomateriallycastdown，however，butthatalittletimeandthereturnofHarrietwereveryadequaterestoratives。
Harriet’sstayingawaysolongwasbeginningtomakeheruneasy。
Thepossibilityoftheyoungman’scomingtoMrs。Goddard’sthatmorning，andmeetingwithHarrietandpleadinghisowncause，gavealarmingideas。Thedreadofsuchafailureafterallbecametheprominentuneasiness；andwhenHarrietappeared，andinverygoodspirits，andwithouthavinganysuchreasontogiveforherlongabsence，shefeltasatisfactionwhichsettledherwithherownmind，andconvincedher，thatletMr。Knightleythinkorsaywhathewould，shehaddonenothingwhichwoman’sfriendshipandwoman’sfeelingswouldnotjustify。