Concessionmustbeoutofthequestion；butitwastimetoappeartoforgetthattheyhadeverquarrelled；andshehopeditmightratherassisttherestorationoffriendship，thatwhenhecameintotheroomshehadoneofthechildrenwithher——theyoungest，anicelittlegirlabouteightmonthsold，whowasnowmakingherfirstvisittoHartfield，andveryhappytobedancedaboutinheraunt’sarms。Itdidassist；
forthoughhebeganwithgravelooksandshortquestions，hewassoonledontotalkofthemallintheusualway，andtotakethechildoutofherarmswithalltheunceremoniousnessofperfectamity。
Emmafelttheywerefriendsagain；andtheconvictiongivingheratfirstgreatsatisfaction，andthenalittlesauciness，shecouldnothelpsaying，ashewasadmiringthebaby，“Whatacomfortitis，thatwethinkalikeaboutournephewsandnieces。
Astomenandwomen，ouropinionsaresometimesverydifferent；
butwithregardtothesechildren，Iobserveweneverdisagree。”
“Ifyouwereasmuchguidedbynatureinyourestimateofmenandwomen，andaslittleunderthepoweroffancyandwhiminyourdealingswiththem，asyouarewherethesechildrenareconcerned，wemightalwaysthinkalike。”
“Tobesure——ourdiscordanciesmustalwaysarisefrommybeinginthewrong。”
“Yes。”saidhe，smiling——“andreasongood。Iwassixteenyearsoldwhenyouwereborn。”
“Amaterialdifferencethen。”shereplied——“andnodoubtyouweremuchmysuperiorinjudgmentatthatperiodofourlives；butdoesnotthelapseofone-and-twentyyearsbringourunderstandingsagooddealnearer？“
“Yes——agooddealnearer。”
“Butstill，notnearenoughtogivemeachanceofbeingright，ifwethinkdifferently。”
“Ihavestilltheadvantageofyoubysixteenyears’experience，andbynotbeingaprettyyoungwomanandaspoiledchild。Come，mydearEmma，letusbefriends，andsaynomoreaboutit。Tellyouraunt，littleEmma，thatsheoughttosetyouabetterexamplethantoberenewingoldgrievances，andthatifshewerenotwrongbefore，sheisnow。”
“That’strue。”shecried——“verytrue。LittleEmma，growupabetterwomanthanyouraunt。Beinfinitelyclevererandnothalfsoconceited。Now，Mr。Knightley，awordortwomore，andI
havedone。Asfarasgoodintentionswent，wewerebothright，andImustsaythatnoeffectsonmysideoftheargumenthaveyetprovedwrong。IonlywanttoknowthatMr。Martinisnotvery，verybitterlydisappointed。”
“Amancannotbemoreso。”washisshort，fullanswer。
“Ah！——IndeedIamverysorry——Come，shakehandswithme。”
Thishadjusttakenplaceandwithgreatcordiality，whenJohnKnightleymadehisappearance，and“Howd’yedo，George？“and“John，howareyou？“succeededinthetrueEnglishstyle，buryingunderacalmnessthatseemedallbutindifference，therealattachmentwhichwouldhaveledeitherofthem，ifrequisite，todoeverythingforthegoodoftheother。
Theeveningwasquietandconversable，asMr。WoodhousedeclinedcardsentirelyforthesakeofcomfortabletalkwithhisdearIsabella，andthelittlepartymadetwonaturaldivisions；
ononesideheandhisdaughter；ontheotherthetwoMr。Knightleys；
theirsubjectstotallydistinct，orveryrarelymixing——andEmmaonlyoccasionallyjoininginoneortheother。
Thebrotherstalkedoftheirownconcernsandpursuits，butprincipallyofthoseoftheelder，whosetemperwasbymuchthemostcommunicative，andwhowasalwaysthegreatertalker。Asamagistrate，hehadgenerallysomepointoflawtoconsultJohnabout，or，atleast，somecuriousanecdotetogive；andasafarmer，askeepinginhandthehome-farmatDonwell，hehadtotellwhateveryfieldwastobearnextyear，andtogiveallsuchlocalinformationascouldnotfailofbeinginterestingtoabrotherwhosehomeithadequallybeenthelongestpartofhislife，andwhoseattachmentswerestrong。
Theplanofadrain，thechangeofafence，thefellingofatree，andthedestinationofeveryacreforwheat，turnips，orspringcorn，wasenteredintowithasmuchequalityofinterestbyJohn，ashiscoolermannersrenderedpossible；andifhiswillingbrothereverlefthimanythingtoinquireabout，hisinquiriesevenapproachedatoneofeagerness。
Whiletheywerethuscomfortablyoccupied，Mr。Woodhousewasenjoyingafullflowofhappyregretsandfearfulaffectionwithhisdaughter。
“MypoordearIsabella。”saidhe，fondlytakingherhand，andinterrupting，forafewmoments，herbusylaboursforsomeoneofherfivechildren——“Howlongitis，howterriblylongsinceyouwerehere！Andhowtiredyoumustbeafteryourjourney！
Youmustgotobedearly，mydear——andIrecommendalittlegrueltoyoubeforeyougo——YouandIwillhaveanicebasinofgrueltogether。
MydearEmma，supposeweallhavealittlegruel。”
Emmacouldnotsupposeanysuchthing，knowingasshedid，thatboththeMr。Knightleyswereasunpersuadableonthatarticleasherself；——andtwobasinsonlywereordered。Afteralittlemorediscourseinpraiseofgruel，withsomewonderingatitsnotbeingtakeneveryeveningbyeverybody，heproceededtosay，withanairofgravereflection，“Itwasanawkwardbusiness，mydear，yourspendingtheautumnatSouthEndinsteadofcominghere。Ineverhadmuchopinionoftheseaair。”
“Mr。Wingfieldmoststrenuouslyrecommendedit，sir——orweshouldnothavegone。Herecommendeditforallthechildren，butparticularlyfortheweaknessinlittleBella’sthroat，——
bothseaairandbathing。”
“Ah！mydear，butPerryhadmanydoubtsabouttheseadoingheranygood；andastomyself，Ihavebeenlongperfectlyconvinced，thoughperhapsInevertoldyousobefore，thattheseaisveryrarelyofusetoanybody。Iamsureitalmostkilledmeonce。”
“Come，come。”criedEmma，feelingthistobeanunsafesubject，“Imustbegyounottotalkofthesea。Itmakesmeenviousandmiserable；——
Iwhohaveneverseenit！SouthEndisprohibited，ifyouplease。
MydearIsabella，IhavenotheardyoumakeoneinquiryaboutMr。Perryyet；andheneverforgetsyou。”
“Oh！goodMr。Perry——howishe，sir？“
“Why，prettywell；butnotquitewell。PoorPerryisbilious，andhehasnottimetotakecareofhimself——hetellsmehehasnottimetotakecareofhimself——whichisverysad——butheisalwayswantedallroundthecountry。Isupposethereisnotamaninsuchpracticeanywhere。Butthenthereisnotsocleveramananywhere。”
“AndMrs。Perryandthechildren，howarethey？dothechildrengrow？
IhaveagreatregardforMr。Perry。Ihopehewillbecallingsoon。
Hewillbesopleasedtoseemylittleones。”
“Ihopehewillbehereto-morrow，forIhaveaquestionortwotoaskhimaboutmyselfofsomeconsequence。And，mydear，wheneverhecomes，youhadbetterlethimlookatlittleBella’sthroat。”
“Oh！mydearsir，herthroatissomuchbetterthatIhavehardlyanyuneasinessaboutit。Eitherbathinghasbeenofthegreatestservicetoher，orelseitistobeattributedtoanexcellentembrocationofMr。Wingfield’s，whichwehavebeenapplyingattimeseversinceAugust。”
“Itisnotverylikely，mydear，thatbathingshouldhavebeenofusetoher——andifIhadknownyouwerewantinganembrocation，Iwouldhavespokento——
“YouseemtometohaveforgottenMrs。andMissBates。”saidEmma，“Ihavenotheardoneinquiryafterthem。”
“Oh！thegoodBateses——Iamquiteashamedofmyself——butyoumentiontheminmostofyourletters。Ihopetheyarequitewell。
GoodoldMrs。Bates——Iwillcalluponherto-morrow，andtakemychildren——Theyarealwayssopleasedtoseemychildren——
AndthatexcellentMissBates！——suchthoroughworthypeople！——
Howarethey，sir？“
“Why，prettywell，mydear，uponthewhole。ButpoorMrs。Bateshadabadcoldaboutamonthago。”
“HowsorryIam！Butcoldswereneversoprevalentastheyhavebeenthisautumn。Mr。Wingfieldtoldmethathehasneverknownthemmoregeneralorheavy——exceptwhenithasbeenquiteaninfluenza。”
“Thathasbeenagooddealthecase，mydear；butnottothedegreeyoumention。Perrysaysthatcoldshavebeenverygeneral，butnotsoheavyashehasveryoftenknowntheminNovember。
Perrydoesnotcallitaltogetherasicklyseason。”
“No，IdonotknowthatMr。Wingfieldconsidersitverysicklyexcept——
“Ah！mypoordearchild，thetruthis，thatinLondonitisalwaysasicklyseason。NobodyishealthyinLondon，nobodycanbe。
Itisadreadfulthingtohaveyouforcedtolivethere！sofaroff！——
andtheairsobad！“
“No，indeed——wearenotatallinabadair。OurpartofLondonisverysuperiortomostothers！——YoumustnotconfounduswithLondoningeneral，mydearsir。TheneighbourhoodofBrunswickSquareisverydifferentfromalmostalltherest。Wearesoveryairy！
Ishouldbeunwilling，Iown，toliveinanyotherpartofthetown；——
thereishardlyanyotherthatIcouldbesatisfiedtohavemychildrenin：butwearesoremarkablyairy！——Mr。WingfieldthinksthevicinityofBrunswickSquaredecidedlythemostfavourableastoair。”
“Ah！mydear，itisnotlikeHartfield。Youmakethebestofit——
butafteryouhavebeenaweekatHartfield，youareallofyoudifferentcreatures；youdonotlooklikethesame。NowIcannotsay，thatIthinkyouareanyofyoulookingwellatpresent。”
“Iamsorrytohearyousayso，sir；butIassureyou，exceptingthoselittlenervoushead-achesandpalpitationswhichIamneverentirelyfreefromanywhere，Iamquitewellmyself；andifthechildrenwereratherpalebeforetheywenttobed，itwasonlybecausetheywerealittlemoretiredthanusual，fromtheirjourneyandthehappinessofcoming。Ihopeyouwillthinkbetteroftheirlooksto-morrow；
forIassureyouMr。Wingfieldtoldme，thathedidnotbelievehehadeversentusoffaltogether，insuchgoodcase。Itrust，atleast，thatyoudonotthinkMr。Knightleylookingill。”
turninghereyeswithaffectionateanxietytowardsherhusband。
“Middling，mydear；Icannotcomplimentyou。IthinkMr。JohnKnightleyveryfarfromlookingwell。”
“Whatisthematter，sir？——Didyouspeaktome？“criedMr。JohnKnightley，hearinghisownname。
“Iamsorrytofind，mylove，thatmyfatherdoesnotthinkyoulookingwell——butIhopeitisonlyfrombeingalittlefatigued。
Icouldhavewished，however，asyouknow，thatyouhadseenMr。Wingfieldbeforeyoulefthome。”
“MydearIsabella。”——exclaimedhehastily——“praydonotconcernyourselfaboutmylooks。Besatisfiedwithdoctoringandcoddlingyourselfandthechildren，andletmelookasIchuse。”
“Ididnotthoroughlyunderstandwhatyouweretellingyourbrother。”
criedEmma，“aboutyourfriendMr。Graham’sintendingtohaveabailifffromScotland，tolookafterhisnewestate。Whatwillitanswer？
Willnottheoldprejudicebetoostrong？“
Andshetalkedinthiswaysolongandsuccessfullythat，whenforcedtogiveherattentionagaintoherfatherandsister，shehadnothingworsetohearthanIsabella’skindinquiryafterJaneFairfax；
andJaneFairfax，thoughnogreatfavouritewithheringeneral，shewasatthatmomentveryhappytoassistinpraising。
“Thatsweet，amiableJaneFairfax！“saidMrs。JohnKnightley——
“ItissolongsinceIhaveseenher，exceptnowandthenforamomentaccidentallyintown！Whathappinessitmustbetohergoodoldgrandmotherandexcellentaunt，whenshecomestovisitthem！
IalwaysregretexcessivelyondearEmma’saccountthatshecannotbemoreatHighbury；butnowtheirdaughterismarried，IsupposeColonelandMrs。Campbellwillnotbeabletopartwithheratall。
ShewouldbesuchadelightfulcompanionforEmma。”
Mr。Woodhouseagreedtoitall，butadded，“OurlittlefriendHarrietSmith，however，isjustsuchanotherprettykindofyoungperson。YouwilllikeHarriet。EmmacouldnothaveabettercompanionthanHarriet。”
“Iammosthappytohearit——butonlyJaneFairfaxoneknowstobesoveryaccomplishedandsuperior！——andexactlyEmma’sage。”
Thistopicwasdiscussedveryhappily，andotherssucceededofsimilarmoment，andpassedawaywithsimilarharmony；buttheeveningdidnotclosewithoutalittlereturnofagitation。Thegruelcameandsuppliedagreatdealtobesaid——muchpraiseandmanycomments——
undoubtingdecisionofitswholesomenessforeveryconstitution，andprettyseverePhilippicsuponthemanyhouseswhereitwasnevermetwithtolerable；——but，unfortunately，amongthefailureswhichthedaughterhadtoinstance，themostrecent，andthereforemostprominent，wasinherowncookatSouthEnd，ayoungwomanhiredforthetime，whoneverhadbeenabletounderstandwhatshemeantbyabasinofnicesmoothgruel，thin，butnottoothin。
Oftenasshehadwishedforandorderedit，shehadneverbeenabletogetanythingtolerable。Herewasadangerousopening。
“Ah！“saidMr。Woodhouse，shakinghisheadandfixinghiseyesonherwithtenderconcern——TheejaculationinEmma’searexpressed，“Ah！thereisnoendofthesadconsequencesofyourgoingtoSouthEnd。Itdoesnotbeartalkingof。”Andforalittlewhileshehopedhewouldnottalkofit，andthatasilentruminationmightsufficetorestorehimtotherelishofhisownsmoothgruel。
Afteranintervalofsomeminutes，however，hebeganwith，“Ishallalwaysbeverysorrythatyouwenttotheseathisautumn，insteadofcominghere。”
“Butwhyshouldyoubesorry，sir？——Iassureyou，itdidthechildrenagreatdealofgood。”
“And，moreover，ifyoumustgotothesea，ithadbetternothavebeentoSouthEnd。SouthEndisanunhealthyplace。
PerrywassurprizedtohearyouhadfixeduponSouthEnd。”
“Iknowthereissuchanideawithmanypeople，butindeeditisquiteamistake，sir——Weallhadourhealthperfectlywellthere，neverfoundtheleastinconveniencefromthemud；andMr。Wingfieldsaysitisentirelyamistaketosupposetheplaceunhealthy；
andIamsurehemaybedependedon，forhethoroughlyunderstandsthenatureoftheair，andhisownbrotherandfamilyhavebeenthererepeatedly。”
“YoushouldhavegonetoCromer，mydear，ifyouwentanywhere——
PerrywasaweekatCromeronce，andheholdsittobethebestofallthesea-bathingplaces。Afineopensea，hesays，andverypureair。And，bywhatIunderstand，youmighthavehadlodgingstherequiteawayfromthesea——aquarterofamileoff——verycomfortable。
YoushouldhaveconsultedPerry。”
“But，mydearsir，thedifferenceofthejourney；——onlyconsiderhowgreatitwouldhavebeen——Anhundredmiles，perhaps，insteadofforty。”
“Ah！mydear，asPerrysays，wherehealthisatstake，nothingelseshouldbeconsidered；andifoneistotravel，thereisnotmuchtochusebetweenfortymilesandanhundred——Betternotmoveatall，betterstayinLondonaltogetherthantravelfortymilestogetintoaworseair。ThisisjustwhatPerrysaid。Itseemedtohimaveryill-judgedmeasure。”
Emma’sattemptstostopherfatherhadbeenvain；andwhenhehadreachedsuchapointasthis，shecouldnotwonderatherbrother-in-law’sbreakingout。
“Mr。Perry。”saidhe，inavoiceofverystrongdispleasure，“woulddoaswelltokeephisopiniontillitisaskedfor。
Whydoeshemakeitanybusinessofhis，towonderatwhatIdo？——
atmytakingmyfamilytoonepartofthecoastoranother？——Imaybeallowed，Ihope，theuseofmyjudgmentaswellasMr。Perry——
Iwanthisdirectionsnomorethanhisdrugs。”Hepaused——
andgrowingcoolerinamoment，added，withonlysarcasticdryness，“IfMr。Perrycantellmehowtoconveyawifeandfivechildrenadistanceofanhundredandthirtymileswithnogreaterexpenseorinconveniencethanadistanceofforty，IshouldbeaswillingtopreferCromertoSouthEndashecouldhimself。”
“True，true。”criedMr。Knightley，withmostreadyinterposition——
“verytrue。That’saconsiderationindeed——ButJohn，astowhatI
wastellingyouofmyideaofmovingthepathtoLangham，ofturningitmoretotherightthatitmaynotcutthroughthehomemeadows，Icannotconceiveanydifficulty。Ishouldnotattemptit，ifitweretobethemeansofinconveniencetotheHighburypeople，butifyoucalltomindexactlythepresentlineofthepath……
Theonlywayofprovingit，however，willbetoturntoourmaps。
IshallseeyouattheAbbeyto-morrowmorningIhope，andthenwewilllookthemover，andyoushallgivemeyouropinion。”
Mr。WoodhousewasratheragitatedbysuchharshreflectionsonhisfriendPerry，towhomhehad，infact，thoughunconsciously，beenattributingmanyofhisownfeelingsandexpressions；——
butthesoothingattentionsofhisdaughtersgraduallyremovedthepresentevil，andtheimmediatealertnessofonebrother，andbetterrecollectionsoftheother，preventedanyrenewalofit。
Chapter13CHAPTERXIII
TherecouldhardlybeahappiercreatureintheworldthanMrs。JohnKnightley，inthisshortvisittoHartfield，goingabouteverymorningamongheroldacquaintancewithherfivechildren，andtalkingoverwhatshehaddoneeveryeveningwithherfatherandsister。
Shehadnothingtowishotherwise，butthatthedaysdidnotpasssoswiftly。Itwasadelightfulvisit；——perfect，inbeingmuchtooshort。
Ingeneraltheireveningswerelessengagedwithfriendsthantheirmornings；butonecompletedinnerengagement，andoutofthehousetoo，therewasnoavoiding，thoughatChristmas。
Mr。Westonwouldtakenodenial；theymustalldineatRandallsoneday；——evenMr。Woodhousewaspersuadedtothinkitapossiblethinginpreferencetoadivisionoftheparty。
Howtheywerealltobeconveyed，hewouldhavemadeadifficultyifhecould，butashissonanddaughter’scarriageandhorseswereactuallyatHartfield，hewasnotabletomakemorethanasimplequestiononthathead；ithardlyamountedtoadoubt；
nordiditoccupyEmmalongtoconvincehimthattheymightinoneofthecarriagesfindroomforHarrietalso。
Harriet，Mr。Elton，andMr。Knightley，theirownespecialset，weretheonlypersonsinvitedtomeetthem；——thehoursweretobeearly，aswellasthenumbersfew；Mr。Woodhouse’shabitsandinclinationbeingconsultedineverything。
TheeveningbeforethisgreateventforitwasaverygreateventthatMr。Woodhouseshoulddineout，onthe24thofDecemberhadbeenspentbyHarrietatHartfield，andshehadgonehomesomuchindisposedwithacold，that，butforherownearnestwishofbeingnursedbyMrs。Goddard，Emmacouldnothaveallowedhertoleavethehouse。
Emmacalledonherthenextday，andfoundherdoomalreadysignedwithregardtoRandalls。Shewasveryfeverishandhadabadsorethroat：Mrs。Goddardwasfullofcareandaffection，Mr。
Perrywastalkedof，andHarrietherselfwastooillandlowtoresisttheauthoritywhichexcludedherfromthisdelightfulengagement，thoughshecouldnotspeakofherlosswithoutmanytears。
Emmasatwithheraslongasshecould，toattendherinMrs。Goddard’sunavoidableabsences，andraiseherspiritsbyrepresentinghowmuchMr。Elton’swouldbedepressedwhenheknewherstate；andleftheratlasttolerablycomfortable，inthesweetdependenceofhishavingamostcomfortlessvisit，andoftheirallmissingherverymuch。
ShehadnotadvancedmanyyardsfromMrs。Goddard’sdoor，whenshewasmetbyMr。Eltonhimself，evidentlycomingtowardsit，andastheywalkedonslowlytogetherinconversationabouttheinvalid——
ofwhomhe，ontherumourofconsiderableillness，hadbeengoingtoinquire，thathemightcarrysomereportofhertoHartfield——
theywereovertakenbyMr。JohnKnightleyreturningfromthedailyvisittoDonwell，withhistwoeldestboys，whosehealthy，glowingfacesshewedallthebenefitofacountryrun，andseemedtoensureaquickdespatchoftheroastmuttonandricepuddingtheywerehasteninghomefor。Theyjoinedcompanyandproceededtogether。
Emmawasjustdescribingthenatureofherfriend’scomplaint；——
“athroatverymuchinflamed，withagreatdealofheatabouther，aquick，lowpulse，&；c。andshewassorrytofindfromMrs。
GoddardthatHarrietwasliabletoverybadsore-throats，andhadoftenalarmedherwiththem。”Mr。Eltonlookedallalarmontheoccasion，asheexclaimed，“Asore-throat！——Ihopenotinfectious。Ihopenotofaputridinfectioussort。HasPerryseenher？Indeedyoushouldtakecareofyourselfaswellasofyourfriend。Letmeentreatyoutorunnorisks。WhydoesnotPerryseeher？“
Emma，whowasnotreallyatallfrightenedherself，tranquillisedthisexcessofapprehensionbyassurancesofMrs。Goddard’sexperienceandcare；butastheremuststillremainadegreeofuneasinesswhichshecouldnotwishtoreasonaway，whichshewouldratherfeedandassistthannot，sheaddedsoonafterwards——asifquiteanothersubject，“Itissocold，soverycold——andlooksandfeelssoverymuchlikesnow，thatifitweretoanyotherplaceorwithanyotherparty，Ishouldreallytrynottogooutto-day——anddissuademyfatherfromventuring；butashehasmadeuphismind，anddoesnotseemtofeelthecoldhimself，Idonotliketointerfere，asIknowitwouldbesogreatadisappointmenttoMr。andMrs。Weston。But，uponmyword，Mr。Elton，inyourcase，Ishouldcertainlyexcusemyself。
Youappeartomealittlehoarsealready，andwhenyouconsiderwhatdemandofvoiceandwhatfatiguesto-morrowwillbring，Ithinkitwouldbenomorethancommonprudencetostayathomeandtakecareofyourselfto-night。”
Mr。Eltonlookedasifhedidnotverywellknowwhatanswertomake；
whichwasexactlythecase；forthoughverymuchgratifiedbythekindcareofsuchafairlady，andnotlikingtoresistanyadviceofher’s，hehadnotreallytheleastinclinationtogiveupthevisit；——
butEmma，tooeagerandbusyinherownpreviousconceptionsandviewstohearhimimpartially，orseehimwithclearvision，wasverywellsatisfiedwithhismutteringacknowledgmentofitsbeing“verycold，certainlyverycold。”andwalkedon，rejoicinginhavingextricatedhimfromRandalls，andsecuredhimthepowerofsendingtoinquireafterHarrieteveryhouroftheevening。
“Youdoquiteright。”saidshe；——“wewillmakeyourapologiestoMr。andMrs。Weston。”
Buthardlyhadshesospoken，whenshefoundherbrotherwascivillyofferingaseatinhiscarriage，iftheweatherwereMr。Elton’sonlyobjection，andMr。Eltonactuallyacceptingtheofferwithmuchpromptsatisfaction。Itwasadonething；Mr。Eltonwastogo，andneverhadhisbroadhandsomefaceexpressedmorepleasurethanatthismoment；neverhadhissmilebeenstronger，norhiseyesmoreexultingthanwhenhenextlookedather。
“Well。”saidshetoherself，“thisismoststrange！——AfterI
hadgothimoffsowell，tochusetogointocompany，andleaveHarrietillbehind！——Moststrangeindeed！——Butthereis，Ibelieve，inmanymen，especiallysinglemen，suchaninclination——
suchapassionfordiningout——adinnerengagementissohighintheclassoftheirpleasures，theiremployments，theirdignities，almosttheirduties，thatanythinggiveswaytoit——andthismustbethecasewithMr。Elton；amostvaluable，amiable，pleasingyoungmanundoubtedly，andverymuchinlovewithHarriet；butstill，hecannotrefuseaninvitation，hemustdineoutwhereverheisasked。
Whatastrangethingloveis！hecanseereadywitinHarriet，butwillnotdinealoneforher。”
SoonafterwardsMr。Eltonquittedthem，andshecouldnotbutdohimthejusticeoffeelingthattherewasagreatdealofsentimentinhismannerofnamingHarrietatparting；inthetoneofhisvoicewhileassuringherthatheshouldcallatMrs。Goddard’sfornewsofherfairfriend，thelastthingbeforehepreparedforthehappinessofmeetingheragain，whenhehopedtobeabletogiveabetterreport；andhesighedandsmiledhimselfoffinawaythatleftthebalanceofapprobationmuchinhisfavour。
Afterafewminutesofentiresilencebetweenthem，JohnKnightleybeganwith——
“IneverinmylifesawamanmoreintentonbeingagreeablethanMr。Elton。Itisdownrightlabourtohimwhereladiesareconcerned。
Withmenhecanberationalandunaffected，butwhenhehasladiestoplease，everyfeatureworks。”
“Mr。Elton’smannersarenotperfect。”repliedEmma；“butwherethereisawishtoplease，oneoughttooverlook，andonedoesoverlookagreatdeal。Whereamandoeshisbestwithonlymoderatepowers，hewillhavetheadvantageovernegligentsuperiority。Thereissuchperfectgood-temperandgood-willinMr。Eltonasonecannotbutvalue。”
“Yes。”saidMr。JohnKnightleypresently，withsomeslyness，“heseemstohaveagreatdealofgood-willtowardsyou。”
“Me！“sherepliedwithasmileofastonishment，“areyouimaginingmetobeMr。Elton’sobject？“
“Suchanimaginationhascrossedme，Iown，Emma；andifitneveroccurredtoyoubefore，youmayaswelltakeitintoconsiderationnow。”
“Mr。Eltoninlovewithme！——Whatanidea！“
“Idonotsayitisso；butyouwilldowelltoconsiderwhetheritissoornot，andtoregulateyourbehaviouraccordingly。
Ithinkyourmannerstohimencouraging。Ispeakasafriend，Emma。Youhadbetterlookaboutyou，andascertainwhatyoudo，andwhatyoumeantodo。”
“Ithankyou；butIassureyouyouarequitemistaken。Mr。EltonandIareverygoodfriends，andnothingmore；“andshewalkedon，amusingherselfintheconsiderationoftheblunderswhichoftenarisefromapartialknowledgeofcircumstances，ofthemistakeswhichpeopleofhighpretensionstojudgmentareforeverfallinginto；
andnotverywellpleasedwithherbrotherforimaginingherblindandignorant，andinwantofcounsel。Hesaidnomore。
Mr。Woodhousehadsocompletelymadeuphismindtothevisit，thatinspiteoftheincreasingcoldness，heseemedtohavenoideaofshrinkingfromit，andsetforwardatlastmostpunctuallywithhiseldestdaughterinhisowncarriage，withlessapparentconsciousnessoftheweatherthaneitheroftheothers；toofullofthewonderofhisowngoing，andthepleasureitwastoaffordatRandallstoseethatitwascold，andtoowellwraptuptofeelit。
Thecold，however，wassevere；andbythetimethesecondcarriagewasinmotion，afewflakesofsnowwerefindingtheirwaydown，andtheskyhadtheappearanceofbeingsooverchargedastowantonlyamilderairtoproduceaverywhiteworldinaveryshorttime。
Emmasoonsawthathercompanionwasnotinthehappiesthumour。
Thepreparingandthegoingabroadinsuchweather，withthesacrificeofhischildrenafterdinner，wereevils，weredisagreeablesatleast，whichMr。JohnKnightleydidnotbyanymeanslike；heanticipatednothinginthevisitthatcouldbeatallworththepurchase；
andthewholeoftheirdrivetothevicaragewasspentbyhiminexpressinghisdiscontent。
“Aman。”saidhe，“musthaveaverygoodopinionofhimselfwhenheaskspeopletoleavetheirownfireside，andencountersuchadayasthis，forthesakeofcomingtoseehim。Hemustthinkhimselfamostagreeablefellow；Icouldnotdosuchathing。
Itisthegreatestabsurdity——Actuallysnowingatthismoment！——
Thefollyofnotallowingpeopletobecomfortableathome——andthefollyofpeople’snotstayingcomfortablyathomewhentheycan！
Ifwewereobligedtogooutsuchaneveningasthis，byanycallofdutyorbusiness，whatahardshipweshoulddeemit；——andherearewe，probablywithratherthinnerclothingthanusual，settingforwardvoluntarily，withoutexcuse，indefianceofthevoiceofnature，whichtellsman，ineverythinggiventohisvieworhisfeelings，tostayathomehimself，andkeepallundershelterthathecan；——
herearewesettingforwardtospendfivedullhoursinanotherman’shouse，withnothingtosayortohearthatwasnotsaidandheardyesterday，andmaynotbesaidandheardagainto-morrow。
Goingindismalweather，toreturnprobablyinworse；——fourhorsesandfourservantstakenoutfornothingbuttoconveyfiveidle，shiveringcreaturesintocolderroomsandworsecompanythantheymighthavehadathome。”
Emmadidnotfindherselfequaltogivethepleasedassent，whichnodoubthewasinthehabitofreceiving，toemulatethe“Verytrue，mylove。”
whichmusthavebeenusuallyadministeredbyhistravellingcompanion；
butshehadresolutionenoughtorefrainfrommakinganyansweratall。Shecouldnotbecomplying，shedreadedbeingquarrelsome；
herheroismreachedonlytosilence。Sheallowedhimtotalk，andarrangedtheglasses，andwrappedherselfup，withoutopeningherlips。
Theyarrived，thecarriageturned，thestepwasletdown，andMr。Elton，spruce，black，andsmiling，waswiththeminstantly。
Emmathoughtwithpleasureofsomechangeofsubject。Mr。Eltonwasallobligationandcheerfulness；hewassoverycheerfulinhiscivilitiesindeed，thatshebegantothinkhemusthavereceivedadifferentaccountofHarrietfromwhathadreachedher。
Shehadsentwhiledressing，andtheanswerhadbeen，“Muchthesame——
notbetter。”
“MyreportfromMrs。Goddard’s。”saidshepresently，“wasnotsopleasantasIhadhoped——`Notbetter’wasmyanswer。”
Hisfacelengthenedimmediately；andhisvoicewasthevoiceofsentimentasheanswered。
“Oh！no——Iamgrievedtofind——IwasonthepointoftellingyouthatwhenIcalledatMrs。Goddard’sdoor，whichIdidtheverylastthingbeforeIreturnedtodress，IwastoldthatMissSmithwasnotbetter，bynomeansbetter，ratherworse。Verymuchgrievedandconcerned——
IhadflatteredmyselfthatshemustbebetteraftersuchacordialasIknewhadbeengivenherinthemorning。”
Emmasmiledandanswered——“Myvisitwasofusetothenervouspartofhercomplaint，Ihope；butnotevenIcancharmawayasorethroat；
itisamostseverecoldindeed。Mr。Perryhasbeenwithher，asyouprobablyheard。”
“Yes——Iimagined——thatis——Ididnot——“
“Hehasbeenusedtoherinthesecomplaints，andIhopeto-morrowmorningwillbringusbothamorecomfortablereport。Butitisimpossiblenottofeeluneasiness。Suchasadlosstoourpartyto-day！“
“Dreadful！——Exactlyso，indeed——Shewillbemissedeverymoment。”
Thiswasveryproper；thesighwhichaccompanieditwasreallyestimable；
butitshouldhavelastedlonger。Emmawasratherindismaywhenonlyhalfaminuteafterwardshebegantospeakofotherthings，andinavoiceofthegreatestalacrityandenjoyment。
“Whatanexcellentdevice。”saidhe，“theuseofasheepskinforcarriages。Howverycomfortabletheymakeit；——impossibletofeelcoldwithsuchprecautions。Thecontrivancesofmoderndaysindeedhaverenderedagentleman’scarriageperfectlycomplete。
Oneissofencedandguardedfromtheweather，thatnotabreathofaircanfinditswayunpermitted。Weatherbecomesabsolutelyofnoconsequence。Itisaverycoldafternoon——butinthiscarriageweknownothingofthematter——Ha！snowsalittleIsee。”
“Yes。”saidJohnKnightley，“andIthinkweshallhaveagooddealofit。”
“Christmasweather。”observedMr。Elton。“Quiteseasonable；
andextremelyfortunatewemaythinkourselvesthatitdidnotbeginyesterday，andpreventthisday’sparty，whichitmightverypossiblyhavedone，forMr。Woodhousewouldhardlyhaveventuredhadtherebeenmuchsnowontheground；butnowitisofnoconsequence。
Thisisquitetheseasonindeedforfriendlymeetings。AtChristmaseverybodyinvitestheirfriendsaboutthem，andpeoplethinklittleofeventheworstweather。Iwassnowedupatafriend’shouseonceforaweek。Nothingcouldbepleasanter。Iwentforonlyonenight，andcouldnotgetawaytillthatverydayse’nnight。”
Mr。JohnKnightleylookedasifhedidnotcomprehendthepleasure，butsaidonly，coolly，“IcannotwishtobesnowedupaweekatRandalls。”
AtanothertimeEmmamighthavebeenamused，butshewastoomuchastonishednowatMr。Elton’sspiritsforotherfeelings。
Harrietseemedquiteforgottenintheexpectationofapleasantparty。
“Wearesureofexcellentfires。”continuedhe，“andeverythinginthegreatestcomfort。Charmingpeople，Mr。andMrs。Weston；——
Mrs。Westonindeedismuchbeyondpraise，andheisexactlywhatonevalues，sohospitable，andsofondofsociety；——
itwillbeasmallparty，butwheresmallpartiesareselect，theyareperhapsthemostagreeableofany。Mr。Weston’sdining-roomdoesnotaccommodatemorethantencomfortably；andformypart，Iwouldrather，undersuchcircumstances，fallshortbytwothanexceedbytwo。Ithinkyouwillagreewithme，turningwithasoftairtoEmma，IthinkIshallcertainlyhaveyourapprobation，thoughMr。Knightleyperhaps，frombeingusedtothelargepartiesofLondon，maynotquiteenterintoourfeelings。”
“IknownothingofthelargepartiesofLondon，sir——Ineverdinewithanybody。”
“Indeed！inatoneofwonderandpity，Ihadnoideathatthelawhadbeensogreataslavery。Well，sir，thetimemustcomewhenyouwillbepaidforallthis，whenyouwillhavelittlelabourandgreatenjoyment。”
“Myfirstenjoyment。”repliedJohnKnightley，astheypassedthroughthesweep-gate，“willbetofindmyselfsafeatHartfieldagain。”
Chapter14CHAPTERXIV
SomechangeofcountenancewasnecessaryforeachgentlemanastheywalkedintoMrs。Weston’sdrawing-room；——Mr。Eltonmustcomposehisjoyouslooks，andMr。JohnKnightleydispersehisill-humour。Mr。Eltonmustsmileless，andMr。JohnKnightleymore，tofitthemfortheplace——Emmaonlymightbeasnatureprompted，andshewherselfjustashappyasshewas。ToheritwasrealenjoymenttobewiththeWestons。Mr。Westonwasagreatfavourite，andtherewasnotacreatureintheworldtowhomshespokewithsuchunreserve，astohiswife；notanyone，towhomsherelatedwithsuchconvictionofbeinglistenedtoandunderstood，ofbeingalwaysinterestingandalwaysintelligible，thelittleaffairs，arrangements，perplexities，andpleasuresofherfatherandherself。
ShecouldtellnothingofHartfield，inwhichMrs。Westonhadnotalivelyconcern；andhalfanhour’suninterruptedcommunicationofallthoselittlemattersonwhichthedailyhappinessofprivatelifedepends，wasoneofthefirstgratificationsofeach。
Thiswasapleasurewhichperhapsthewholeday’svisitmightnotafford，whichcertainlydidnotbelongtothepresenthalf-hour；
buttheverysightofMrs。Weston，hersmile，hertouch，hervoicewasgratefultoEmma，andshedeterminedtothinkaslittleaspossibleofMr。Elton’soddities，orofanythingelseunpleasant，andenjoyallthatwasenjoyabletotheutmost。
ThemisfortuneofHarriet’scoldhadbeenprettywellgonethroughbeforeherarrival。Mr。Woodhousehadbeensafelyseatedlongenoughtogivethehistoryofit，besidesallthehistoryofhisownandIsabella’scoming，andofEmma’sbeingtofollow，andhadindeedjustgottotheendofhissatisfactionthatJamesshouldcomeandseehisdaughter，whentheothersappeared，andMrs。Weston，whohadbeenalmostwhollyengrossedbyherattentionstohim，wasabletoturnawayandwelcomeherdearEmma。
Emma’sprojectofforgettingMr。Eltonforawhilemadeherrathersorrytofind，whentheyhadalltakentheirplaces，thathewasclosetoher。ThedifficultywasgreatofdrivinghisstrangeinsensibilitytowardsHarriet，fromhermind，whilehenotonlysatatherelbow，butwascontinuallyobtrudinghishappycountenanceonhernotice，andsolicitouslyaddressingheruponeveryoccasion。
Insteadofforgettinghim，hisbehaviourwassuchthatshecouldnotavoidtheinternalsuggestionof“Canitreallybeasmybrotherimagined？canitbepossibleforthismantobebeginningtotransferhisaffectionsfromHarriettome？——Absurdandinsufferable！“——
Yethewouldbesoanxiousforherbeingperfectlywarm，wouldbesointerestedaboutherfather，andsodelightedwithMrs。Weston；
andatlastwouldbeginadmiringherdrawingswithsomuchzealandsolittleknowledgeasseemedterriblylikeawould-belover，andmadeitsomeeffortwithhertopreservehergoodmanners。
Forherownsakeshecouldnotberude；andforHarriet’s，inthehopethatallwouldyetturnoutright，shewasevenpositivelycivil；
butitwasaneffort；especiallyassomethingwasgoingonamongsttheothers，inthemostoverpoweringperiodofMr。Elton’snonsense，whichsheparticularlywishedtolistento。SheheardenoughtoknowthatMr。Westonwasgivingsomeinformationabouthisson；
sheheardthewords“myson。”and“Frank。”and“myson。”
repeatedseveraltimesover；and，fromafewotherhalf-syllablesverymuchsuspectedthathewasannouncinganearlyvisitfromhisson；butbeforeshecouldquietMr。Elton，thesubjectwassocompletelypastthatanyrevivingquestionfromherwouldhavebeenawkward。
Now，itsohappenedthatinspiteofEmma’sresolutionofnevermarrying，therewassomethinginthename，intheideaofMr。FrankChurchill，whichalwaysinterestedher。Shehadfrequentlythought——especiallysincehisfather’smarriagewithMissTaylor——thatifsheweretomarry，hewastheverypersontosuitherinage，characterandcondition。
Heseemedbythisconnexionbetweenthefamilies，quitetobelongtoher。
Shecouldnotbutsupposeittobeamatchthateverybodywhoknewthemmustthinkof。ThatMr。andMrs。Westondidthinkofit，shewasverystronglypersuaded；andthoughnotmeaningtobeinducedbyhim，orbyanybodyelse，togiveupasituationwhichshebelievedmorerepletewithgoodthananyshecouldchangeitfor，shehadagreatcuriositytoseehim，adecidedintentionoffindinghimpleasant，ofbeinglikedbyhimtoacertaindegree，andasortofpleasureintheideaoftheirbeingcoupledintheirfriends’imaginations。
Withsuchsensations，Mr。Elton’scivilitiesweredreadfullyill-timed；
butshehadthecomfortofappearingverypolite，whilefeelingverycross——andofthinkingthattherestofthevisitcouldnotpossiblypasswithoutbringingforwardthesameinformationagain，orthesubstanceofit，fromtheopen-heartedMr。Weston——Soitproved；——
forwhenhappilyreleasedfromMr。Elton，andseatedbyMr。Weston，atdinner，hemadeuseoftheveryfirstintervalinthecaresofhospitality，theveryfirstleisurefromthesaddleofmutton，tosaytoher，“Wewantonlytwomoretobejusttherightnumber。Ishouldliketoseetwomorehere，——yourprettylittlefriend，MissSmith，andmyson——andthenIshouldsaywewerequitecomplete。
Ibelieveyoudidnothearmetellingtheothersinthedrawing-roomthatweareexpectingFrank。Ihadaletterfromhimthismorning，andhewillbewithuswithinafortnight。”
Emmaspokewithaveryproperdegreeofpleasure；andfullyassentedtohispropositionofMr。FrankChurchillandMissSmithmakingtheirpartyquitecomplete。
“Hehasbeenwantingtocometous。”continuedMr。Weston，“eversinceSeptember：everyletterhasbeenfullofit；
buthecannotcommandhisowntime。Hehasthosetopleasewhomustbepleased，andwhobetweenourselvesaresometimestobepleasedonlybyagoodmanysacrifices。ButnowIhavenodoubtofseeinghimhereaboutthesecondweekinJanuary。”
“Whataverygreatpleasureitwillbetoyou！andMrs。Westonissoanxioustobeacquaintedwithhim，thatshemustbealmostashappyasyourself。”
“Yes，shewouldbe，butthatshethinkstherewillbeanotherput-off。ShedoesnotdependuponhiscomingsomuchasIdo：
butshedoesnotknowthepartiessowellasIdo。Thecase，yousee，is——butthisisquitebetweenourselves：Ididnotmentionasyllableofitintheotherroom。Therearesecretsinallfamilies，youknow——Thecaseis，thatapartyoffriendsareinvitedtopayavisitatEnscombeinJanuary；andthatFrank’scomingdependsupontheirbeingputoff。Iftheyarenotputoff，hecannotstir。
ButIknowtheywill，becauseitisafamilythatacertainlady，ofsomeconsequence，atEnscombe，hasaparticulardisliketo：
andthoughitisthoughtnecessarytoinvitethemonceintwoorthreeyears，theyalwaysareputoffwhenitcomestothepoint。
Ihavenotthesmallestdoubtoftheissue。IamasconfidentofseeingFrankherebeforethemiddleofJanuary，asIamofbeingheremyself：butyourgoodfriendtherenoddingtowardstheupperendofthetablehassofewvagariesherself，andhasbeensolittleusedtothematHartfield，thatshecannotcalculateontheireffects，asIhavebeenlonginthepracticeofdoing。”
“Iamsorrythereshouldbeanythinglikedoubtinthecase。”
repliedEmma；“butamdisposedtosidewithyou，Mr。Weston。Ifyouthinkhewillcome，Ishallthinksotoo；foryouknowEnscombe。”
“Yes——Ihavesomerighttothatknowledge；thoughIhaveneverbeenattheplaceinmylife——Sheisanoddwoman！——ButIneverallowmyselftospeakillofher，onFrank’saccount；forIdobelievehertobeveryfondofhim。Iusedtothinkshewasnotcapableofbeingfondofanybody，exceptherself：butshehasalwaysbeenkindtohiminherway——allowingforlittlewhimsandcaprices，andexpectingeverythingtobeasshelikes。Anditisnosmallcredit，inmyopinion，tohim，thatheshouldexcitesuchanaffection；
for，thoughIwouldnotsayittoanybodyelse，shehasnomoreheartthanastonetopeopleingeneral；andthedevilofatemper。”
Emmalikedthesubjectsowell，thatshebeganuponit，toMrs。Weston，verysoonaftertheirmovingintothedrawing-room：wishingherjoy——
yetobserving，thatsheknewthefirstmeetingmustberatheralarming——
Mrs。Westonagreedtoit；butadded，thatsheshouldbeverygladtobesecureofundergoingtheanxietyofafirstmeetingatthetimetalkedof：“forIcannotdependuponhiscoming。
IcannotbesosanguineasMr。Weston。Iamverymuchafraidthatitwillallendinnothing。Mr。Weston，Idaresay，hasbeentellingyouexactlyhowthematterstands？“
“Yes——itseemstodependuponnothingbuttheill-humourofMrs。Churchill，whichIimaginetobethemostcertainthingintheworld。”
“MyEmma！“repliedMrs。Weston，smiling，“whatisthecertaintyofcaprice？“ThenturningtoIsabella，whohadnotbeenattendingbefore——“Youmustknow，mydearMrs。Knightley，thatwearebynomeanssosureofseeingMr。FrankChurchill，inmyopinion，ashisfatherthinks。Itdependsentirelyuponhisaunt’sspiritsandpleasure；inshort，uponhertemper。
Toyou——tomytwodaughters——Imayventureonthetruth。
Mrs。ChurchillrulesatEnscombe，andisaveryodd-temperedwoman；
andhiscomingnow，dependsuponherbeingwillingtosparehim。”
“Oh，Mrs。Churchill；everybodyknowsMrs。Churchill。”
repliedIsabella：“andIamsureIneverthinkofthatpooryoungmanwithoutthegreatestcompassion。Tobeconstantlylivingwithanill-temperedperson，mustbedreadful。Itiswhatwehappilyhaveneverknownanythingof；butitmustbealifeofmisery。Whatablessing，thatsheneverhadanychildren！
Poorlittlecreatures，howunhappyshewouldhavemadethem！“
EmmawishedshehadbeenalonewithMrs。Weston。Sheshouldthenhaveheardmore：Mrs。Westonwouldspeaktoher，withadegreeofunreservewhichshewouldnothazardwithIsabella；and，shereallybelieved，wouldscarcelytrytoconcealanythingrelativetotheChurchillsfromher，exceptingthoseviewsontheyoungman，ofwhichherownimaginationhadalreadygivenhersuchinstinctiveknowledge。
Butatpresenttherewasnothingmoretobesaid。Mr。Woodhouseverysoonfollowedthemintothedrawing-room。Tobesittinglongafterdinner，wasaconfinementthathecouldnotendure。
Neitherwinenorconversationwasanythingtohim；andgladlydidhemovetothosewithwhomhewasalwayscomfortable。
WhilehetalkedtoIsabella，however，Emmafoundanopportunityofsaying，“Andsoyoudonotconsiderthisvisitfromyoursonasbyanymeanscertain。Iamsorryforit。Theintroductionmustbeunpleasant，wheneverittakesplace；andthesooneritcouldbeover，thebetter。”
“Yes；andeverydelaymakesonemoreapprehensiveofotherdelays。
Evenifthisfamily，theBraithwaites，areputoff，Iamstillafraidthatsomeexcusemaybefoundfordisappointingus。
Icannotbeartoimagineanyreluctanceonhisside；butIamsurethereisagreatwishontheChurchills’tokeephimtothemselves。
Thereisjealousy。Theyarejealousevenofhisregardforhisfather。
Inshort，Icanfeelnodependenceonhiscoming，andIwishMr。Westonwerelesssanguine。”
“Heoughttocome。”saidEmma。“Ifhecouldstayonlyacoupleofdays，heoughttocome；andonecanhardlyconceiveayoungman’snothavingitinhispowertodoasmuchasthat。Ayoungwoman，ifshefallintobadhands，maybeteazed，andkeptatadistancefromthoseshewantstobewith；butonecannotcomprehendayoungman’sbeingundersuchrestraint，asnottobeabletospendaweekwithhisfather，ifhelikesit。”
“OneoughttobeatEnscombe，andknowthewaysofthefamily，beforeonedecidesuponwhathecando。”repliedMrs。Weston。
“Oneoughttousethesamecaution，perhaps，injudgingoftheconductofanyoneindividualofanyonefamily；butEnscombe，Ibelieve，certainlymustnotbejudgedbygeneralrules：
sheissoveryunreasonable；andeverythinggiveswaytoher。”
“Butsheissofondofthenephew：heissoverygreatafavourite。
Now，accordingtomyideaofMrs。Churchill，itwouldbemostnatural，thatwhileshemakesnosacrificeforthecomfortofthehusband，towhomsheoweseverything，whilesheexercisesincessantcapricetowardshim，sheshouldfrequentlybegovernedbythenephew，towhomsheowesnothingatall。”
“MydearestEmma，donotpretend，withyoursweettemper，tounderstandabadone，ortolaydownrulesforit：youmustletitgoitsownway。Ihavenodoubtofhishaving，attimes，considerableinfluence；butitmaybeperfectlyimpossibleforhimtoknowbeforehandwhenitwillbe。”
Emmalistened，andthencoollysaid，“Ishallnotbesatisfied，unlesshecomes。”
“Hemayhaveagreatdealofinfluenceonsomepoints。”
continuedMrs。Weston，“andonothers，verylittle：andamongthose，onwhichsheisbeyondhisreach，itisbuttoolikely，maybethisverycircumstanceofhiscomingawayfromthemtovisitus。”
Chapter15CHAPTERXV
Mr。Woodhousewassoonreadyforhistea；andwhenhehaddrankhisteahewasquitereadytogohome；anditwasasmuchashisthreecompanionscoulddo，toentertainawayhisnoticeofthelatenessofthehour，beforetheothergentlemenappeared。Mr。Westonwaschattyandconvivial，andnofriendtoearlyseparationsofanysort；
butatlastthedrawing-roompartydidreceiveanaugmentation。
Mr。Elton，inverygoodspirits，wasoneofthefirsttowalkin。
Mrs。WestonandEmmaweresittingtogetheronasofa。Hejoinedthemimmediately，and，withscarcelyaninvitation，seatedhimselfbetweenthem。
Emma，ingoodspiritstoo，fromtheamusementaffordedhermindbytheexpectationofMr。FrankChurchill，waswillingtoforgethislateimproprieties，andbeaswellsatisfiedwithhimasbefore，andonhismakingHarriethisveryfirstsubject，wasreadytolistenwithmostfriendlysmiles。
Heprofessedhimselfextremelyanxiousaboutherfairfriend——
herfair，lovely，amiablefriend。“Didsheknow？——hadsheheardanythingabouther，sincetheirbeingatRandalls？——
hefeltmuchanxiety——hemustconfessthatthenatureofhercomplaintalarmedhimconsiderably。”Andinthisstylehetalkedonforsometimeveryproperly，notmuchattendingtoanyanswer，butaltogethersufficientlyawaketotheterrorofabadsorethroat；
andEmmawasquiteincharitywithhim。
Butatlastthereseemedaperverseturn；itseemedallatonceasifheweremoreafraidofitsbeingabadsorethroatonheraccount，thanonHarriet’s——moreanxiousthatsheshouldescapetheinfection，thanthatthereshouldbenoinfectioninthecomplaint。Hebeganwithgreatearnestnesstoentreathertorefrainfromvisitingthesick-chamberagain，forthepresent——toentreathertopromisehimnottoventureintosuchhazardtillhehadseenMr。Perryandlearnthisopinion；andthoughshetriedtolaughitoffandbringthesubjectbackintoitspropercourse，therewasnoputtinganendtohisextremesolicitudeabouther。Shewasvexed。
Itdidappear——therewasnoconcealingit——exactlylikethepretenceofbeinginlovewithher，insteadofHarriet；aninconstancy，ifreal，themostcontemptibleandabominable！andshehaddifficultyinbehavingwithtemper。HeturnedtoMrs。Westontoimploreherassistance，“Wouldnotshegivehimhersupport？——wouldnotsheaddherpersuasionstohis，toinduceMissWoodhousenottogotoMrs。Goddard’stillitwerecertainthatMissSmith’sdisorderhadnoinfection？Hecouldnotbesatisfiedwithoutapromise——
wouldnotshegivehimherinfluenceinprocuringit？“
“Soscrupulousforothers。”hecontinued，“andyetsocarelessforherself！Shewantedmetonursemycoldbystayingathometo-day，andyetwillnotpromisetoavoidthedangerofcatchinganulceratedsorethroatherself。Isthisfair，Mrs。Weston？——Judgebetweenus。
HavenotIsomerighttocomplain？Iamsureofyourkindsupportandaid。”
EmmasawMrs。Weston’ssurprize，andfeltthatitmustbegreat，atanaddresswhich，inwordsandmanner，wasassumingtohimselftherightoffirstinterestinher；andasforherself，shewastoomuchprovokedandoffendedtohavethepowerofdirectlysayinganythingtothepurpose。Shecouldonlygivehimalook；
butitwassuchalookasshethoughtmustrestorehimtohissenses，andthenleftthesofa，removingtoaseatbyhersister，andgivingherallherattention。
ShehadnottimetoknowhowMr。Eltontookthereproof，sorapidlydidanothersubjectsucceed；forMr。JohnKnightleynowcameintotheroomfromexaminingtheweather，andopenedonthemallwiththeinformationofthegroundbeingcoveredwithsnow，andofitsstillsnowingfast，withastrongdriftingwind；
concludingwiththesewordstoMr。Woodhouse：
“Thiswillproveaspiritedbeginningofyourwinterengagements，sir。Somethingnewforyourcoachmanandhorsestobemakingtheirwaythroughastormofsnow。”
PoorMr。Woodhousewassilentfromconsternation；buteverybodyelsehadsomethingtosay；everybodywaseithersurprizedornotsurprized，andhadsomequestiontoask，orsomecomforttooffer。Mrs。WestonandEmmatriedearnestlytocheerhimandturnhisattentionfromhisson-in-law，whowaspursuinghistriumphratherunfeelingly。
“Iadmiredyourresolutionverymuch，sir。”saidhe，“inventuringoutinsuchweather，forofcourseyousawtherewouldbesnowverysoon。Everybodymusthaveseenthesnowcomingon。
Iadmiredyourspirit；andIdaresayweshallgethomeverywell。
Anotherhourortwo’ssnowcanhardlymaketheroadimpassable；
andwearetwocarriages；ifoneisblownoverinthebleakpartofthecommonfieldtherewillbetheotherathand。IdaresayweshallbeallsafeatHartfieldbeforemidnight。”
Mr。Weston，withtriumphofadifferentsort，wasconfessingthathehadknownittobesnowingsometime，buthadnotsaidaword，lestitshouldmakeMr。Woodhouseuncomfortable，andbeanexcuseforhishurryingaway。Astotherebeinganyquantityofsnowfallenorlikelytofalltoimpedetheirreturn，thatwasamerejoke；
hewasafraidtheywouldfindnodifficulty。Hewishedtheroadmightbeimpassable，thathemightbeabletokeepthemallatRandalls；
andwiththeutmostgood-willwassurethataccommodationmightbefoundforeverybody，callingonhiswifetoagreewithhim，thatwithalittlecontrivance，everybodymightbelodged，whichshehardlyknewhowtodo，fromtheconsciousnessoftherebeingbuttwospareroomsinthehouse。
“Whatistobedone，mydearEmma？——whatistobedone？“
wasMr。Woodhouse’sfirstexclamation，andallthathecouldsayforsometime。Toherhelookedforcomfort；andherassurancesofsafety，herrepresentationoftheexcellenceofthehorses，andofJames，andoftheirhavingsomanyfriendsaboutthem，revivedhimalittle。
Hiseldestdaughter’salarmwasequaltohisown。ThehorrorofbeingblockedupatRandalls，whileherchildrenwereatHartfield，wasfullinherimagination；andfancyingtheroadtobenowjustpassableforadventurouspeople，butinastatethatadmittednodelay，shewaseagertohaveitsettled，thatherfatherandEmmashouldremainatRandalls，whilesheandherhusbandsetforwardinstantlythroughallthepossibleaccumulationsofdriftedsnowthatmightimpedethem。
“Youhadbetterorderthecarriagedirectly，mylove。”saidshe；
“Idaresayweshallbeabletogetalong，ifwesetoffdirectly；
andifwedocometoanythingverybad，Icangetoutandwalk。
Iamnotatallafraid。Ishouldnotmindwalkinghalftheway。
Icouldchangemyshoes，youknow，themomentIgothome；anditisnotthesortofthingthatgivesmecold。”
“Indeed！“repliedhe。“Then，mydearIsabella，itisthemostextraordinarysortofthingintheworld，foringeneraleverythingdoesgiveyoucold。Walkhome！——youareprettilyshodforwalkinghome，Idaresay。Itwillbebadenoughforthehorses。”
IsabellaturnedtoMrs。Westonforherapprobationoftheplan。
Mrs。Westoncouldonlyapprove。IsabellathenwenttoEmma；
butEmmacouldnotsoentirelygiveupthehopeoftheirbeingallabletogetaway；andtheywerestilldiscussingthepoint，whenMr。Knightley，whohadlefttheroomimmediatelyafterhisbrother’sfirstreportofthesnow，camebackagain，andtoldthemthathehadbeenoutofdoorstoexamine，andcouldanswerfortherenotbeingthesmallestdifficultyintheirgettinghome，whenevertheylikedit，eithernoworanhourhence。Hehadgonebeyondthesweep——
somewayalongtheHighburyroad——thesnowwasnowhereabovehalfaninchdeep——inmanyplaceshardlyenoughtowhitentheground；
averyfewflakeswerefallingatpresent，butthecloudswereparting，andtherewaseveryappearanceofitsbeingsoonover。Hehadseenthecoachmen，andtheybothagreedwithhimintherebeingnothingtoapprehend。
ToIsabella，thereliefofsuchtidingswasverygreat，andtheywerescarcelylessacceptabletoEmmaonherfather’saccount，whowasimmediatelysetasmuchateaseonthesubjectashisnervousconstitutionallowed；butthealarmthathadbeenraisedcouldnotbeappeasedsoastoadmitofanycomfortforhimwhilehecontinuedatRandalls。Hewassatisfiedoftherebeingnopresentdangerinreturninghome，butnoassurancescouldconvincehimthatitwassafetostay；andwhiletheotherswerevariouslyurgingandrecommending，Mr。KnightleyandEmmasettleditinafewbriefsentences：thus——
“Yourfatherwillnotbeeasy；whydonotyougo？“
“Iamready，iftheothersare。”
“ShallIringthebell？“
“Yes，do。”
Andthebellwasrung，andthecarriagesspokenfor。Afewminutesmore，andEmmahopedtoseeonetroublesomecompaniondepositedinhisownhouse，togetsoberandcool，andtheotherrecoverhistemperandhappinesswhenthisvisitofhardshipwereover。
Thecarriagecame：andMr。Woodhouse，alwaysthefirstobjectonsuchoccasions，wascarefullyattendedtohisownbyMr。KnightleyandMr。Weston；butnotallthateithercouldsaycouldpreventsomerenewalofalarmatthesightofthesnowwhichhadactuallyfallen，andthediscoveryofamuchdarkernightthanhehadbeenpreparedfor。
“Hewasafraidtheyshouldhaveaverybaddrive。HewasafraidpoorIsabellawouldnotlikeit。AndtherewouldbepoorEmmainthecarriagebehind。Hedidnotknowwhattheyhadbestdo。
Theymustkeepasmuchtogetherastheycould；“andJameswastalkedto，andgivenachargetogoveryslowandwaitfortheothercarriage。
Isabellasteptinafterherfather；JohnKnightley，forgettingthathedidnotbelongtotheirparty，steptinafterhiswifeverynaturally；
sothatEmmafound，onbeingescortedandfollowedintothesecondcarriagebyMr。Elton，thatthedoorwastobelawfullyshutonthem，andthattheyweretohaveatete-a-tetedrive。Itwouldnothavebeentheawkwardnessofamoment，itwouldhavebeenratherapleasure，previoustothesuspicionsofthisveryday；shecouldhavetalkedtohimofHarriet，andthethree-quartersofamilewouldhaveseemedbutone。Butnow，shewouldratherithadnothappened。
ShebelievedhehadbeendrinkingtoomuchofMr。Weston’sgoodwine，andfeltsurethathewouldwanttobetalkingnonsense。
Torestrainhimasmuchasmightbe，byherownmanners，shewasimmediatelypreparingtospeakwithexquisitecalmnessandgravityoftheweatherandthenight；butscarcelyhadshebegun，scarcelyhadtheypassedthesweep-gateandjoinedtheothercarriage，thanshefoundhersubjectcutup——herhandseized——herattentiondemanded，andMr。Eltonactuallymakingviolentlovetoher：availinghimselfofthepreciousopportunity，declaringsentimentswhichmustbealreadywellknown，hoping——fearing——adoring——readytodieifsherefusedhim；
butflatteringhimselfthathisardentattachmentandunequalledloveandunexampledpassioncouldnotfailofhavingsomeeffect，andinshort，verymuchresolvedonbeingseriouslyacceptedassoonaspossible。Itreallywasso。Withoutscruple——withoutapology——
withoutmuchapparentdiffidence，Mr。Elton，theloverofHarriet，wasprofessinghimselfherlover。Shetriedtostophim；butvainly；
hewouldgoon，andsayitall。Angryasshewas，thethoughtofthemomentmadeherresolvetorestrainherselfwhenshedidspeak。
Shefeltthathalfthisfollymustbedrunkenness，andthereforecouldhopethatitmightbelongonlytothepassinghour。
Accordingly，withamixtureoftheseriousandtheplayful，whichshehopedwouldbestsuithishalfandhalfstate，shereplied，“Iamverymuchastonished，Mr。Elton。Thistome！youforgetyourself——
youtakemeformyfriend——anymessagetoMissSmithIshallbehappytodeliver；butnomoreofthistome，ifyouplease。”
“MissSmith！——messagetoMissSmith！——Whatcouldshepossiblymean！“——
Andherepeatedherwordswithsuchassuranceofaccent，suchboastfulpretenceofamazement，thatshecouldnothelpreplyingwithquickness，“Mr。Elton，thisisthemostextraordinaryconduct！andIcanaccountforitonlyinoneway；youarenotyourself，oryoucouldnotspeakeithertome，orofHarriet，insuchamanner。Commandyourselfenoughtosaynomore，andIwillendeavourtoforgetit。”