ButMr。Eltonhadonlydrunkwineenoughtoelevatehisspirits，notatalltoconfusehisintellects。Heperfectlyknewhisownmeaning；
andhavingwarmlyprotestedagainsthersuspicionasmostinjurious，andslightlytoucheduponhisrespectforMissSmithasherfriend，——
butacknowledginghiswonderthatMissSmithshouldbementionedatall，——heresumedthesubjectofhisownpassion，andwasveryurgentforafavourableanswer。
Asshethoughtlessofhisinebriety，shethoughtmoreofhisinconstancyandpresumption；andwithfewerstrugglesforpoliteness，replied，“Itisimpossibleformetodoubtanylonger。Youhavemadeyourselftooclear。Mr。Elton，myastonishmentismuchbeyondanythingIcanexpress。Aftersuchbehaviour，asIhavewitnessedduringthelastmonth，toMissSmith——suchattentionsasI
havebeeninthedailyhabitofobserving——tobeaddressingmeinthismanner——thisisanunsteadinessofcharacter，indeed，whichIhadnotsupposedpossible！Believeme，sir，Iamfar，veryfar，fromgratifiedinbeingtheobjectofsuchprofessions。”
“GoodHeaven！“criedMr。Elton，“whatcanbethemeaningofthis？——
MissSmith！——IneverthoughtofMissSmithinthewholecourseofmyexistence——neverpaidheranyattentions，butasyourfriend：
nevercaredwhethersheweredeadoralive，butasyourfriend。
Ifshehasfanciedotherwise，herownwisheshavemisledher，andIamverysorry——extremelysorry——But，MissSmith，indeed！——Oh！
MissWoodhouse！whocanthinkofMissSmith，whenMissWoodhouseisnear！No，uponmyhonour，thereisnounsteadinessofcharacter。
Ihavethoughtonlyofyou。Iprotestagainsthavingpaidthesmallestattentiontoanyoneelse。EverythingthatIhavesaidordone，formanyweekspast，hasbeenwiththesoleviewofmarkingmyadorationofyourself。Youcannotreally，seriously，doubtit。
No！——inanaccentmeanttobeinsinuating——Iamsureyouhaveseenandunderstoodme。”
ItwouldbeimpossibletosaywhatEmmafelt，onhearingthis——
whichofallherunpleasantsensationswasuppermost。Shewastoocompletelyoverpoweredtobeimmediatelyabletoreply：
andtwomomentsofsilencebeingampleencouragementforMr。Elton’ssanguinestateofmind，hetriedtotakeherhandagain，ashejoyouslyexclaimed——
“CharmingMissWoodhouse！allowmetointerpretthisinterestingsilence。
Itconfessesthatyouhavelongunderstoodme。”
“No，sir。”criedEmma，“itconfessesnosuchthing。Sofarfromhavinglongunderstoodyou，Ihavebeeninamostcompleteerrorwithrespecttoyourviews，tillthismoment。Astomyself，I
amverysorrythatyoushouldhavebeengivingwaytoanyfeelings——
Nothingcouldbefartherfrommywishes——yourattachmenttomyfriendHarriet——yourpursuitofher，pursuit，itappeared，gavemegreatpleasure，andIhavebeenveryearnestlywishingyousuccess：
buthadIsupposedthatshewerenotyourattractiontoHartfield，Ishouldcertainlyhavethoughtyoujudgedillinmakingyourvisitssofrequent。AmItobelievethatyouhaveneversoughttorecommendyourselfparticularlytoMissSmith？——thatyouhaveneverthoughtseriouslyofher？“
“Never，madam。”criedhe，affrontedinhisturn：“never，Iassureyou。
IthinkseriouslyofMissSmith！——MissSmithisaverygoodsortofgirl；andIshouldbehappytoseeherrespectablysettled。
Iwishherextremelywell：and，nodoubt，therearemenwhomightnotobjectto——Everybodyhastheirlevel：butasformyself，Iamnot，Ithink，quitesomuchataloss。Ineednotsototallydespairofanequalalliance，astobeaddressingmyselftoMissSmith！——
No，madam，myvisitstoHartfieldhavebeenforyourselfonly；
andtheencouragementIreceived——“
“Encouragement！——Igiveyouencouragement！——Sir，youhavebeenentirelymistakeninsupposingit。Ihaveseenyouonlyastheadmirerofmyfriend。Innootherlightcouldyouhavebeenmoretomethanacommonacquaintance。Iamexceedinglysorry：butitiswellthatthemistakeendswhereitdoes。Hadthesamebehaviourcontinued，MissSmithmighthavebeenledintoamisconceptionofyourviews；
notbeingaware，probably，anymorethanmyself，oftheverygreatinequalitywhichyouaresosensibleof。But，asitis，thedisappointmentissingle，and，Itrust，willnotbelasting。
Ihavenothoughtsofmatrimonyatpresent。”
Hewastooangrytosayanotherword；hermannertoodecidedtoinvitesupplication；andinthisstateofswellingresentment，andmutuallydeepmortification，theyhadtocontinuetogetherafewminuteslonger，forthefearsofMr。Woodhousehadconfinedthemtoafoot-pace。Iftherehadnotbeensomuchanger，therewouldhavebeendesperateawkwardness；buttheirstraightforwardemotionsleftnoroomforthelittlezigzagsofembarrassment。WithoutknowingwhenthecarriageturnedintoVicarageLane，orwhenitstopped，theyfoundthemselves，allatonce，atthedoorofhishouse；
andhewasoutbeforeanothersyllablepassed——Emmathenfeltitindispensabletowishhimagoodnight。Thecomplimentwasjustreturned，coldlyandproudly；and，underindescribableirritationofspirits，shewasthenconveyedtoHartfield。
Thereshewaswelcomed，withtheutmostdelight，byherfather，whohadbeentremblingforthedangersofasolitarydrivefromVicarageLane——turningacornerwhichhecouldneverbeartothinkof——
andinstrangehands——amerecommoncoachman——noJames；andthereitseemedasifherreturnonlywerewantedtomakeeverythinggowell：
forMr。JohnKnightley，ashamedofhisill-humour，wasnowallkindnessandattention；andsoparticularlysolicitousforthecomfortofherfather，astoseem——ifnotquitereadytojoinhiminabasinofgruel——perfectlysensibleofitsbeingexceedinglywholesome；
andthedaywasconcludinginpeaceandcomforttoalltheirlittleparty，exceptherself——Buthermindhadneverbeeninsuchperturbation；
anditneededaverystrongefforttoappearattentiveandcheerfultilltheusualhourofseparatingallowedherthereliefofquietreflection。
Chapter16CHAPTERXVI
Thehairwascurled，andthemaidsentaway，andEmmasatdowntothinkandbemiserable——Itwasawretchedbusinessindeed！——Suchanoverthrowofeverythingshehadbeenwishingfor！——Suchadevelopmentofeverythingmostunwelcome！——SuchablowforHarriet！——thatwastheworstofall。Everypartofitbroughtpainandhumiliation，ofsomesortorother；but，comparedwiththeeviltoHarriet，allwaslight；
andshewouldgladlyhavesubmittedtofeelyetmoremistaken——
moreinerror——moredisgracedbymis-judgment，thansheactuallywas，couldtheeffectsofherblundershavebeenconfinedtoherself。
“IfIhadnotpersuadedHarrietintolikingtheman，Icouldhaveborneanything。Hemighthavedoubledhispresumptiontome——
butpoorHarriet！“
Howshecouldhavebeensodeceived！——HeprotestedthathehadneverthoughtseriouslyofHarriet——never！Shelookedbackaswellasshecould；butitwasallconfusion。Shehadtakenuptheidea，shesupposed，andmadeeverythingbendtoit。
Hismanners，however，musthavebeenunmarked，wavering，dubious，orshecouldnothavebeensomisled。
Thepicture！——Howeagerhehadbeenaboutthepicture！——
andthecharade！——andanhundredothercircumstances；——
howclearlytheyhadseemedtopointatHarriet。Tobesure，thecharade，withits“readywit“——butthenthe“softeyes“——
infactitsuitedneither；itwasajumblewithouttasteortruth。
Whocouldhaveseenthroughsuchthick-headednonsense？
Certainlyshehadoften，especiallyoflate，thoughthismannerstoherselfunnecessarilygallant；butithadpassedashisway，asamereerrorofjudgment，ofknowledge，oftaste，asoneproofamongothersthathehadnotalwayslivedinthebestsociety，thatwithallthegentlenessofhisaddress，trueelegancewassometimeswanting；but，tillthisveryday，shehadnever，foraninstant，suspectedittomeananythingbutgratefulrespecttoherasHarriet’sfriend。
ToMr。JohnKnightleywassheindebtedforherfirstideaonthesubject，forthefirststartofitspossibility。Therewasnodenyingthatthosebrothershadpenetration。SherememberedwhatMr。KnightleyhadoncesaidtoheraboutMr。Elton，thecautionhehadgiven，theconvictionhehadprofessedthatMr。Eltonwouldnevermarryindiscreetly；andblushedtothinkhowmuchtrueraknowledgeofhischaracterhadbeenthereshewnthananyshehadreachedherself。Itwasdreadfullymortifying；butMr。Eltonwasprovinghimself，inmanyrespects，theveryreverseofwhatshehadmeantandbelievedhim；proud，assuming，conceited；veryfullofhisownclaims，andlittleconcernedaboutthefeelingsofothers。
Contrarytotheusualcourseofthings，Mr。Elton’swantingtopayhisaddressestoherhadsunkhiminheropinion。
Hisprofessionsandhisproposalsdidhimnoservice。Shethoughtnothingofhisattachment，andwasinsultedbyhishopes。
Hewantedtomarrywell，andhavingthearrogancetoraisehiseyestoher，pretendedtobeinlove；butshewasperfectlyeasyastohisnotsufferinganydisappointmentthatneedbecaredfor。
Therehadbeennorealaffectioneitherinhislanguageormanners。
Sighsandfinewordshadbeengiveninabundance；butshecouldhardlydeviseanysetofexpressions，orfancyanytoneofvoice，lessalliedwithreallove。Sheneednottroubleherselftopityhim。
Heonlywantedtoaggrandiseandenrichhimself；andifMissWoodhouseofHartfield，theheiressofthirtythousandpounds，werenotquitesoeasilyobtainedashehadfancied，hewouldsoontryforMissSomebodyelsewithtwenty，orwithten。
But——thatheshouldtalkofencouragement，shouldconsiderherasawareofhisviews，acceptinghisattentions，meaninginshort，tomarryhim！——shouldsupposehimselfherequalinconnexionormind！——lookdownuponherfriend，sowellunderstandingthegradationsofrankbelowhim，andbesoblindtowhatroseabove，astofancyhimselfshewingnopresumptioninaddressingher！——
Itwasmostprovoking。
Perhapsitwasnotfairtoexpecthimtofeelhowverymuchhewasherinferiorintalent，andalltheeleganciesofmind。
Theverywantofsuchequalitymightpreventhisperceptionofit；
buthemustknowthatinfortuneandconsequenceshewasgreatlyhissuperior。HemustknowthattheWoodhouseshadbeensettledforseveralgenerationsatHartfield，theyoungerbranchofaveryancientfamily——andthattheEltonswerenobody。
ThelandedpropertyofHartfieldcertainlywasinconsiderable，beingbutasortofnotchintheDonwellAbbeyestate，towhichalltherestofHighburybelonged；buttheirfortune，fromothersources，wassuchastomakethemscarcelysecondarytoDonwellAbbeyitself，ineveryotherkindofconsequence；andtheWoodhouseshadlongheldahighplaceintheconsiderationoftheneighbourhoodwhichMr。Eltonhadfirstenterednottwoyearsago，tomakehiswayashecould，withoutanyalliancesbutintrade，oranythingtorecommendhimtonoticebuthissituationandhiscivility——
Buthehadfanciedherinlovewithhim；thatevidentlymusthavebeenhisdependence；andafterravingalittleabouttheseemingincongruityofgentlemannersandaconceitedhead，Emmawasobligedincommonhonestytostopandadmitthatherownbehaviourtohimhadbeensocomplaisantandobliging，sofullofcourtesyandattention，assupposingherrealmotiveunperceived
mightwarrantamanofordinaryobservationanddelicacy，likeMr。Elton，infancyinghimselfaverydecidedfavourite。
Ifshehadsomisinterpretedhisfeelings，shehadlittlerighttowonderthathe，withself-interesttoblindhim，shouldhavemistakenhers。
Thefirsterrorandtheworstlayatherdoor。Itwasfoolish，itwaswrong，totakesoactiveapartinbringinganytwopeopletogether。Itwasadventuringtoofar，assumingtoomuch，makinglightofwhatoughttobeserious，atrickofwhatoughttobesimple。Shewasquiteconcernedandashamed，andresolvedtodosuchthingsnomore。
“HerehaveI。”saidshe，“actuallytalkedpoorHarrietintobeingverymuchattachedtothisman。Shemightneverhavethoughtofhimbutforme；andcertainlyneverwouldhavethoughtofhimwithhope，ifIhadnotassuredherofhisattachment，forsheisasmodestandhumbleasIusedtothinkhim。Oh！thatIhadbeensatisfiedwithpersuadinghernottoacceptyoungMartin。ThereIwasquiteright。
Thatwaswelldoneofme；butthereIshouldhavestopped，andlefttheresttotimeandchance。Iwasintroducingherintogoodcompany，andgivinghertheopportunityofpleasingsomeoneworthhaving；
Ioughtnottohaveattemptedmore。Butnow，poorgirl，herpeaceiscutupforsometime。Ihavebeenbuthalfafriendtoher；
andifshewerenottofeelthisdisappointmentsoverymuch，IamsureIhavenotanideaofanybodyelsewhowouldbeatalldesirableforher；——WilliamCoxe——Oh！no，IcouldnotendureWilliamCoxe——
apertyounglawyer。”
Shestopttoblushandlaughatherownrelapse，andthenresumedamoreserious，moredispiritingcogitationuponwhathadbeen，andmightbe，andmustbe。ThedistressingexplanationshehadtomaketoHarriet，andallthatpoorHarrietwouldbesuffering，withtheawkwardnessoffuturemeetings，thedifficultiesofcontinuingordiscontinuingtheacquaintance，ofsubduingfeelings，concealingresentment，andavoidingeclat，wereenoughtooccupyherinmostunmirthfulreflectionssometimelonger，andshewenttobedatlastwithnothingsettledbuttheconvictionofherhavingblunderedmostdreadfully。
ToyouthandnaturalcheerfulnesslikeEmma’s，thoughundertemporarygloomatnight，thereturnofdaywillhardlyfailtobringreturnofspirits。Theyouthandcheerfulnessofmorningareinhappyanalogy，andofpowerfuloperation；andifthedistressbenotpoignantenoughtokeeptheeyesunclosed，theywillbesuretoopentosensationsofsoftenedpainandbrighterhope。
Emmagotuponthemorrowmoredisposedforcomfortthanshehadgonetobed，morereadytoseealleviationsoftheevilbeforeher，andtodependongettingtolerablyoutofit。
ItwasagreatconsolationthatMr。Eltonshouldnotbereallyinlovewithher，orsoparticularlyamiableastomakeitshockingtodisappointhim——thatHarriet’snatureshouldnotbeofthatsuperiorsortinwhichthefeelingsaremostacuteandretentive——
andthattherecouldbenonecessityforanybody’sknowingwhathadpassedexceptthethreeprincipals，andespeciallyforherfather’sbeinggivenamoment’suneasinessaboutit。
Thesewereverycheeringthoughts；andthesightofagreatdealofsnowonthegrounddidherfurtherservice，foranythingwaswelcomethatmightjustifytheirallthreebeingquiteasunderatpresent。
Theweatherwasmostfavourableforher；thoughChristmasDay，shecouldnotgotochurch。Mr。Woodhousewouldhavebeenmiserablehadhisdaughterattemptedit，andshewasthereforesafefromeitherexcitingorreceivingunpleasantandmostunsuitableideas。
Thegroundcoveredwithsnow，andtheatmosphereinthatunsettledstatebetweenfrostandthaw，whichisofallothersthemostunfriendlyforexercise，everymorningbeginninginrainorsnow，andeveryeveningsettingintofreeze，shewasformanydaysamosthonourableprisoner。NointercoursewithHarrietpossiblebutbynote；
nochurchforheronSundayanymorethanonChristmasDay；andnoneedtofindexcusesforMr。Elton’sabsentinghimself。
Itwasweatherwhichmightfairlyconfineeverybodyathome；
andthoughshehopedandbelievedhimtobereallytakingcomfortinsomesocietyorother，itwasverypleasanttohaveherfathersowellsatisfiedwithhisbeingallaloneinhisownhouse，toowisetostirout；andtohearhimsaytoMr。Knightley，whomnoweathercouldkeepentirelyfromthem，——
“Ah！Mr。Knightley，whydonotyoustayathomelikepoorMr。
Elton？“
Thesedaysofconfinementwouldhavebeen，butforherprivateperplexities，remarkablycomfortable，assuchseclusionexactlysuitedherbrother，whosefeelingsmustalwaysbeofgreatimportancetohiscompanions；andhehad，besides，sothoroughlyclearedoffhisill-humouratRandalls，thathisamiablenessneverfailedhimduringtherestofhisstayatHartfield。Hewasalwaysagreeableandobliging，andspeakingpleasantlyofeverybody。Butwithallthehopesofcheerfulness，andallthepresentcomfortofdelay，therewasstillsuchanevilhangingoverherinthehourofexplanationwithHarriet，asmadeitimpossibleforEmmatobeeverperfectlyatease。
Chapter17CHAPTERXVII
Mr。andMrs。JohnKnightleywerenotdetainedlongatHartfield。
Theweathersoonimprovedenoughforthosetomovewhomustmove；
andMr。Woodhousehaving，asusual，triedtopersuadehisdaughtertostaybehindwithallherchildren，wasobligedtoseethewholepartysetoff，andreturntohislamentationsoverthedestinyofpoorIsabella；——whichpoorIsabella，passingherlifewiththoseshedoatedon，fulloftheirmerits，blindtotheirfaults，andalwaysinnocentlybusy，mighthavebeenamodelofrightfemininehappiness。
TheeveningoftheverydayonwhichtheywentbroughtanotefromMr。EltontoMr。Woodhouse，along，civil，ceremoniousnote，tosay，withMr。Elton’sbestcompliments，“thathewasproposingtoleaveHighburythefollowingmorninginhiswaytoBath；
where，incompliancewiththepressingentreatiesofsomefriends，hehadengagedtospendafewweeks，andverymuchregrettedtheimpossibilityhewasunder，fromvariouscircumstancesofweatherandbusiness，oftakingapersonalleaveofMr。Woodhouse，ofwhosefriendlycivilitiesheshouldeverretainagratefulsense——
andhadMr。Woodhouseanycommands，shouldbehappytoattendtothem。”
Emmawasmostagreeablysurprized——Mr。Elton’sabsencejustatthistimewastheverythingtobedesired。Sheadmiredhimforcontrivingit，thoughnotabletogivehimmuchcreditforthemannerinwhichitwasannounced。Resentmentcouldnothavebeenmoreplainlyspokenthaninacivilitytoherfather，fromwhichshewassopointedlyexcluded。Shehadnotevenashareinhisopeningcompliments——Hernamewasnotmentioned；——
andtherewassostrikingachangeinallthis，andsuchanill-judgedsolemnityofleave-takinginhisgracefulacknowledgments，asshethought，atfirst，couldnotescapeherfather’ssuspicion。
Itdid，however——Herfatherwasquitetakenupwiththesurprizeofsosuddenajourney，andhisfearsthatMr。Eltonmightnevergetsafelytotheendofit，andsawnothingextraordinaryinhislanguage。
Itwasaveryusefulnote，foritsuppliedthemwithfreshmatterforthoughtandconversationduringtherestoftheirlonelyevening。
Mr。Woodhousetalkedoverhisalarms，andEmmawasinspiritstopersuadethemawaywithallherusualpromptitude。
ShenowresolvedtokeepHarrietnolongerinthedark。Shehadreasontobelievehernearlyrecoveredfromhercold，anditwasdesirablethatsheshouldhaveasmuchtimeaspossibleforgettingthebetterofherothercomplaintbeforethegentleman’sreturn。
ShewenttoMrs。Goddard’saccordinglytheverynextday，toundergothenecessarypenanceofcommunication；andasevereoneitwas——
Shehadtodestroyallthehopeswhichshehadbeensoindustriouslyfeeding——toappearintheungraciouscharacteroftheonepreferred——
andacknowledgeherselfgrosslymistakenandmis-judginginallherideasononesubject，allherobservations，allherconvictions，allherpropheciesforthelastsixweeks。
Theconfessioncompletelyrenewedherfirstshame——andthesightofHarriet’stearsmadeherthinkthatsheshouldneverbeincharitywithherselfagain。
Harrietboretheintelligenceverywell——blamingnobody——
andineverythingtestifyingsuchaningenuousnessofdispositionandlowlyopinionofherself，asmustappearwithparticularadvantageatthatmomenttoherfriend。
Emmawasinthehumourtovaluesimplicityandmodestytotheutmost；
andallthatwasamiable，allthatoughttobeattaching，seemedonHarriet’sside，notherown。Harrietdidnotconsiderherselfashavinganythingtocomplainof。TheaffectionofsuchamanasMr。Eltonwouldhavebeentoogreatadistinction——
Shenevercouldhavedeservedhim——andnobodybutsopartialandkindafriendasMissWoodhousewouldhavethoughtitpossible。
Hertearsfellabundantly——buthergriefwassotrulyartless，thatnodignitycouldhavemadeitmorerespectableinEmma’seyes——
andshelistenedtoherandtriedtoconsoleherwithallherheartandunderstanding——reallyforthetimeconvincedthatHarrietwasthesuperiorcreatureofthetwo——andthattoresembleherwouldbemoreforherownwelfareandhappinessthanallthatgeniusorintelligencecoulddo。
Itwasrathertoolateinthedaytosetaboutbeingsimple-mindedandignorant；butsheleftherwitheverypreviousresolutionconfirmedofbeinghumbleanddiscreet，andrepressingimaginationalltherestofherlife。Herseconddutynow，inferioronlytoherfather’sclaims，wastopromoteHarriet’scomfort，andendeavourtoproveherownaffectioninsomebettermethodthanbymatch-making。
ShegothertoHartfield，andshewedherthemostunvaryingkindness，strivingtooccupyandamuseher，andbybooksandconversation，todriveMr。Eltonfromherthoughts。
Time，sheknew，mustbeallowedforthisbeingthoroughlydone；andshecouldsupposeherselfbutanindifferentjudgeofsuchmattersingeneral，andveryinadequatetosympathiseinanattachmenttoMr。Eltoninparticular；butitseemedtoherreasonablethatatHarriet’sage，andwiththeentireextinctionofallhope，suchaprogressmightbemadetowardsastateofcomposurebythetimeofMr。Elton’sreturn，astoallowthemalltomeetagaininthecommonroutineofacquaintance，withoutanydangerofbetrayingsentimentsorincreasingthem。
Harrietdidthinkhimallperfection，andmaintainedthenon-existenceofanybodyequaltohiminpersonorgoodness——anddid，intruth，proveherselfmoreresolutelyinlovethanEmmahadforeseen；
butyetitappearedtohersonatural，soinevitabletostriveagainstaninclinationofthatsortunrequited，thatshecouldnotcomprehenditscontinuingverylonginequalforce。
IfMr。Elton，onhisreturn，madehisownindifferenceasevidentandindubitableasshecouldnotdoubthewouldanxiouslydo，shecouldnotimagineHarriet’spersistingtoplaceherhappinessinthesightortherecollectionofhim。
Theirbeingfixed，soabsolutelyfixed，inthesameplace，wasbadforeach，forallthree。Notoneofthemhadthepowerofremoval，orofeffectinganymaterialchangeofsociety。Theymustencountereachother，andmakethebestofit。
HarrietwasfartherunfortunateinthetoneofhercompanionsatMrs。Goddard’s；Mr。Eltonbeingtheadorationofalltheteachersandgreatgirlsintheschool；anditmustbeatHartfieldonlythatshecouldhaveanychanceofhearinghimspokenofwithcoolingmoderationorrepellenttruth。Wherethewoundhadbeengiven，theremustthecurebefoundifanywhere；andEmmafeltthat，tillshesawherinthewayofcure，therecouldbenotruepeaceforherself。
Chapter18CHAPTERXVIII
Mr。FrankChurchilldidnotcome。Whenthetimeproposeddrewnear，Mrs。Weston’sfearswerejustifiedinthearrivalofaletterofexcuse。Forthepresent，hecouldnotbespared，tohis“verygreatmortificationandregret；butstillhelookedforwardwiththehopeofcomingtoRandallsatnodistantperiod。”
Mrs。Westonwasexceedinglydisappointed——muchmoredisappointed，infact，thanherhusband，thoughherdependenceonseeingtheyoungmanhadbeensomuchmoresober：butasanguinetemper，thoughforeverexpectingmoregoodthanoccurs，doesnotalwayspayforitshopesbyanyproportionatedepression。
Itsoonfliesoverthepresentfailure，andbeginstohopeagain。
ForhalfanhourMr。Westonwassurprizedandsorry；butthenhebegantoperceivethatFrank’scomingtwoorthreemonthslaterwouldbeamuchbetterplan；bettertimeofyear；betterweather；
andthathewouldbeable，withoutanydoubt，tostayconsiderablylongerwiththemthanifhehadcomesooner。
Thesefeelingsrapidlyrestoredhiscomfort，whileMrs。Weston，ofamoreapprehensivedisposition，foresawnothingbutarepetitionofexcusesanddelays；andafterallherconcernforwhatherhusbandwastosuffer，sufferedagreatdealmoreherself。
EmmawasnotatthistimeinastateofspiritstocarereallyaboutMr。FrankChurchill’snotcoming，exceptasadisappointmentatRandalls。Theacquaintanceatpresenthadnocharmforher。
Shewanted，rather，tobequiet，andoutoftemptation；butstill，asitwasdesirablethatsheshouldappear，ingeneral，likeherusualself，shetookcaretoexpressasmuchinterestinthecircumstance，andenteraswarmlyintoMr。andMrs。Weston’sdisappointment，asmightnaturallybelongtotheirfriendship。
ShewasthefirsttoannounceittoMr。Knightley；andexclaimedquiteasmuchaswasnecessary，or，beingactingapart，perhapsrathermore，attheconductoftheChurchills，inkeepinghimaway。
Shethenproceededtosayagooddealmorethanshefelt，oftheadvantageofsuchanadditiontotheirconfinedsocietyinSurry；
thepleasureoflookingatsomebodynew；thegala-daytoHighburyentire，whichthesightofhimwouldhavemade；andendingwithreflectionsontheChurchillsagain，foundherselfdirectlyinvolvedinadisagreementwithMr。Knightley；and，tohergreatamusement，perceivedthatshewastakingtheothersideofthequestionfromherrealopinion，andmakinguseofMrs。Weston’sargumentsagainstherself。
“TheChurchillsareverylikelyinfault。”saidMr。Knightley，coolly；“butIdaresayhemightcomeifhewould。”
“Idonotknowwhyyoushouldsayso。Hewishesexceedinglytocome；
buthisuncleandauntwillnotsparehim。”
“Icannotbelievethathehasnotthepowerofcoming，ifhemadeapointofit。Itistoounlikely，formetobelieveitwithoutproof。”
“Howoddyouare！WhathasMr。FrankChurchilldone，tomakeyousupposehimsuchanunnaturalcreature？“
“Iamnotsupposinghimatallanunnaturalcreature，insuspectingthathemayhavelearnttobeabovehisconnexions，andtocareverylittleforanythingbuthisownpleasure，fromlivingwiththosewhohavealwayssethimtheexampleofit。Itisagreatdealmorenaturalthanonecouldwish，thatayoungman，broughtupbythosewhoareproud，luxurious，andselfish，shouldbeproud，luxurious，andselfishtoo。IfFrankChurchillhadwantedtoseehisfather，hewouldhavecontriveditbetweenSeptemberandJanuary。
Amanathisage——whatishe？——threeorfour-and-twenty——cannotbewithoutthemeansofdoingasmuchasthat。Itisimpossible。”
“That’seasilysaid，andeasilyfeltbyyou，whohavealwaysbeenyourownmaster。Youaretheworstjudgeintheworld，Mr。Knightley，ofthedifficultiesofdependence。Youdonotknowwhatitistohavetemperstomanage。”
“Itisnottobeconceivedthatamanofthreeorfour-and-twentyshouldnothavelibertyofmindorlimbtothatamount。Hecannotwantmoney——hecannotwantleisure。Weknow，onthecontrary，thathehassomuchofboth，thatheisgladtogetridofthemattheidlesthauntsinthekingdom。Wehearofhimforeveratsomewatering-placeorother。Alittlewhileago，hewasatWeymouth。
ThisprovesthathecanleavetheChurchills。”
“Yes，sometimeshecan。”
“Andthosetimesarewheneverhethinksitworthhiswhile；
wheneverthereisanytemptationofpleasure。”
“Itisveryunfairtojudgeofanybody’sconduct，withoutanintimateknowledgeoftheirsituation。Nobody，whohasnotbeenintheinteriorofafamily，cansaywhatthedifficultiesofanyindividualofthatfamilymaybe。WeoughttobeacquaintedwithEnscombe，andwithMrs。Churchill’stemper，beforewepretendtodecideuponwhathernephewcando。
Hemay，attimes，beabletodoagreatdealmorethanhecanatothers。”
“Thereisonething，Emma，whichamancanalwaysdo，ifhechuses，andthatis，hisduty；notbymanoeuvringandfinessing，butbyvigourandresolution。ItisFrankChurchill’sdutytopaythisattentiontohisfather。Heknowsittobeso，byhispromisesandmessages；
butifhewishedtodoit，itmightbedone。Amanwhofeltrightlywouldsayatonce，simplyandresolutely，toMrs。Churchill——
`Everysacrificeofmerepleasureyouwillalwaysfindmereadytomaketoyourconvenience；butImustgoandseemyfatherimmediately。
Iknowhewouldbehurtbymyfailinginsuchamarkofrespecttohimonthepresentoccasion。Ishall，therefore，setoffto-morrow。’——
Ifhewouldsaysotoheratonce，inthetoneofdecisionbecomingaman，therewouldbenooppositionmadetohisgoing。”
“No。”saidEmma，laughing；“butperhapstheremightbesomemadetohiscomingbackagain。Suchlanguageforayoungmanentirelydependent，touse！——Nobodybutyou，Mr。Knightley，wouldimagineitpossible。
Butyouhavenotanideaofwhatisrequisiteinsituationsdirectlyoppositetoyourown。Mr。FrankChurchilltobemakingsuchaspeechasthattotheuncleandaunt，whohavebroughthimup，andaretoprovideforhim！——Standingupinthemiddleoftheroom，Isuppose，andspeakingasloudashecould！——Howcanyouimaginesuchconductpracticable？“
“Dependuponit，Emma，asensiblemanwouldfindnodifficultyinit。
Hewouldfeelhimselfintheright；andthedeclaration——made，ofcourse，asamanofsensewouldmakeit，inapropermanner——
woulddohimmoregood，raisehimhigher，fixhisintereststrongerwiththepeoplehedependedon，thanallthatalineofshiftsandexpedientscaneverdo。Respectwouldbeaddedtoaffection。
Theywouldfeelthattheycouldtrusthim；thatthenephewwhohaddonerightlybyhisfather，woulddorightlybythem；fortheyknow，aswellashedoes，aswellasalltheworldmustknow，thatheoughttopaythisvisittohisfather；andwhilemeanlyexertingtheirpowertodelayit，areintheirheartsnotthinkingthebetterofhimforsubmittingtotheirwhims。Respectforrightconductisfeltbyeverybody。Ifhewouldactinthissortofmanner，onprinciple，consistently，regularly，theirlittlemindswouldbendtohis。”
“Iratherdoubtthat。Youareveryfondofbendinglittleminds；
butwherelittlemindsbelongtorichpeopleinauthority，Ithinktheyhaveaknackofswellingout，tilltheyarequiteasunmanageableasgreatones。Icanimagine，thatifyou，asyouare，Mr。Knightley，weretobetransportedandplacedallatonceinMr。FrankChurchill’ssituation，youwouldbeabletosayanddojustwhatyouhavebeenrecommendingforhim；anditmighthaveaverygoodeffect。TheChurchillsmightnothaveawordtosayinreturn；butthen，youwouldhavenohabitsofearlyobedienceandlongobservancetobreakthrough。Tohimwhohas，itmightnotbesoeasytoburstforthatonceintoperfectindependence，andsetalltheirclaimsonhisgratitudeandregardatnought。
Hemayhaveasstrongasenseofwhatwouldberight，asyoucanhave，withoutbeingsoequal，underparticularcircumstances，toactuptoit。”
“Thenitwouldnotbesostrongasense。Ifitfailedtoproduceequalexertion，itcouldnotbeanequalconviction。”
“Oh，thedifferenceofsituationandhabit！Iwishyouwouldtrytounderstandwhatanamiableyoungmanmaybelikelytofeelindirectlyopposingthose，whomaschildandboyhehasbeenlookinguptoallhislife。”
“Ouramiableyoungmanisaveryweakyoungman，ifthisbethefirstoccasionofhiscarryingthrougharesolutiontodorightagainstthewillofothers。Itoughttohavebeenahabitwithhimbythistime，offollowinghisduty，insteadofconsultingexpediency。
Icanallowforthefearsofthechild，butnotoftheman。
Ashebecamerational，heoughttohaverousedhimselfandshakenoffallthatwasunworthyintheirauthority。Heoughttohaveopposedthefirstattemptontheirsidetomakehimslighthisfather。
Hadhebegunasheought，therewouldhavebeennodifficultynow。”
“Weshallneveragreeabouthim。”criedEmma；“butthatisnothingextraordinary。Ihavenottheleastideaofhisbeingaweakyoungman：Ifeelsurethatheisnot。Mr。Westonwouldnotbeblindtofolly，thoughinhisownson；butheisverylikelytohaveamoreyielding，complying，milddispositionthanwouldsuityournotionsofman’sperfection。Idaresayhehas；andthoughitmaycuthimofffromsomeadvantages，itwillsecurehimmanyothers。”
“Yes；alltheadvantagesofsittingstillwhenheoughttomove，andofleadingalifeofmereidlepleasure，andfancyinghimselfextremelyexpertinfindingexcusesforit。Hecansitdownandwriteafineflourishingletter，fullofprofessionsandfalsehoods，andpersuadehimselfthathehashitupontheverybestmethodintheworldofpreservingpeaceathomeandpreventinghisfather’shavinganyrighttocomplain。Hislettersdisgustme。”
“Yourfeelingsaresingular。Theyseemtosatisfyeverybodyelse。”
“IsuspecttheydonotsatisfyMrs。Weston。Theyhardlycansatisfyawomanofhergoodsenseandquickfeelings：standinginamother’splace，butwithoutamother’saffectiontoblindher。
ItisonheraccountthatattentiontoRandallsisdoublydue，andshemustdoublyfeeltheomission。Hadshebeenapersonofconsequenceherself，hewouldhavecomeIdaresay；anditwouldnothavesignifiedwhetherhedidorno。Canyouthinkyourfriendbehindhandinthesesortofconsiderations？Doyousupposeshedoesnotoftensayallthistoherself？No，Emma，youramiableyoungmancanbeamiableonlyinFrench，notinEnglish。Hemaybevery`aimable，’haveverygoodmanners，andbeveryagreeable；buthecanhavenoEnglishdelicacytowardsthefeelingsofotherpeople：
nothingreallyamiableabouthim。”
“Youseemdeterminedtothinkillofhim。”
“Me！——notatall。”repliedMr。Knightley，ratherdispleased；“Idonotwanttothinkillofhim。Ishouldbeasreadytoacknowledgehismeritsasanyotherman；butIhearofnone，exceptwhataremerelypersonal；thatheiswell-grownandgood-looking，withsmooth，plausiblemanners。”
“Well，ifhehavenothingelsetorecommendhim，hewillbeatreasureatHighbury。Wedonotoftenlookuponfineyoungmen，well-bredandagreeable。Wemustnotbeniceandaskforallthevirtuesintothebargain。Cannotyouimagine，Mr。Knightley，whatasensationhiscomingwillproduce？TherewillbebutonesubjectthroughouttheparishesofDonwellandHighbury；butoneinterest——
oneobjectofcuriosity；itwillbeallMr。FrankChurchill；
weshallthinkandspeakofnobodyelse。”
“Youwillexcusemybeingsomuchover-powered。IfIfindhimconversable，Ishallbegladofhisacquaintance；butifheisonlyachatteringcoxcomb，hewillnotoccupymuchofmytimeorthoughts。”
“Myideaofhimis，thathecanadapthisconversationtothetasteofeverybody，andhasthepoweraswellasthewishofbeinguniversallyagreeable。Toyou，hewilltalkoffarming；tome，ofdrawingormusic；andsoontoeverybody，havingthatgeneralinformationonallsubjectswhichwillenablehimtofollowthelead，ortakethelead，justasproprietymayrequire，andtospeakextremelywelloneach；thatismyideaofhim。”
“Andmine。”saidMr。Knightleywarmly，“is，thatifheturnoutanythinglikeit，hewillbethemostinsufferablefellowbreathing！
What！atthree-and-twentytobethekingofhiscompany——thegreatman——
thepractisedpolitician，whoistoreadeverybody’scharacter，andmakeeverybody’stalentsconducetothedisplayofhisownsuperiority；tobedispensinghisflatteriesaround，thathemaymakeallappearlikefoolscomparedwithhimself！MydearEmma，yourowngoodsensecouldnotenduresuchapuppywhenitcametothepoint。”
“Iwillsaynomoreabouthim。”criedEmma，“youturneverythingtoevil。Wearebothprejudiced；youagainst，Iforhim；
andwehavenochanceofagreeingtillheisreallyhere。”
“Prejudiced！Iamnotprejudiced。”
“ButIamverymuch，andwithoutbeingatallashamedofit。
MyloveforMr。andMrs。Westongivesmeadecidedprejudiceinhisfavour。”
“HeisapersonIneverthinkoffromonemonth’sendtoanother。”
saidMr。Knightley，withadegreeofvexation，whichmadeEmmaimmediatelytalkofsomethingelse，thoughshecouldnotcomprehendwhyheshouldbeangry。
Totakeadisliketoayoungman，onlybecauseheappearedtobeofadifferentdispositionfromhimself，wasunworthytherealliberalityofmindwhichshewasalwaysusedtoacknowledgeinhim；
forwithallthehighopinionofhimself，whichshehadoftenlaidtohischarge，shehadneverbeforeforamomentsupposeditcouldmakehimunjusttothemeritofanother。
Chapter01VOLUMEII
CHAPTERI
EmmaandHarriethadbeenwalkingtogetheronemorning，and，inEmma’sopinion，hadbeentalkingenoughofMr。Eltonforthatday。
ShecouldnotthinkthatHarriet’ssolaceorherownsinsrequiredmore；
andshewasthereforeindustriouslygettingridofthesubjectastheyreturned；——butitburstoutagainwhenshethoughtshehadsucceeded，andafterspeakingsometimeofwhatthepoormustsufferinwinter，andreceivingnootheranswerthanaveryplaintive——
“Mr。Eltonissogoodtothepoor！“shefoundsomethingelsemustbedone。
TheywerejustapproachingthehousewherelivedMrs。andMissBates。
Shedeterminedtocalluponthemandseeksafetyinnumbers。
Therewasalwayssufficientreasonforsuchanattention；Mrs。andMissBateslovedtobecalledon，andsheknewshewasconsideredbytheveryfewwhopresumedevertoseeimperfectioninher，asrathernegligentinthatrespect，andasnotcontributingwhatsheoughttothestockoftheirscantycomforts。
ShehadhadmanyahintfromMr。Knightleyandsomefromherownheart，astoherdeficiency——butnonewereequaltocounteractthepersuasionofitsbeingverydisagreeable，——awasteoftime——tiresomewomen——
andallthehorrorofbeingindangeroffallinginwiththesecond-rateandthird-rateofHighbury，whowerecallingonthemforever，andthereforesheseldomwentnearthem。Butnowshemadethesuddenresolutionofnotpassingtheirdoorwithoutgoingin——observing，assheproposedittoHarriet，that，aswellasshecouldcalculate，theywerejustnowquitesafefromanyletterfromJaneFairfax。
Thehousebelongedtopeopleinbusiness。Mrs。andMissBatesoccupiedthedrawing-roomfloor；andthere，intheverymoderate-sizedapartment，whichwaseverythingtothem，thevisitorsweremostcordiallyandevengratefullywelcomed；thequietneatoldlady，whowithherknittingwasseatedinthewarmestcorner，wantingeventogiveupherplacetoMissWoodhouse，andhermoreactive，talkingdaughter，almostreadytooverpowerthemwithcareandkindness，thanksfortheirvisit，solicitudefortheirshoes，anxiousinquiriesafterMr。Woodhouse’shealth，cheerfulcommunicationsabouthermother’s，andsweet-cakefromthebeaufet——“Mrs。Colehadjustbeenthere，justcalledinfortenminutes，andhadbeensogoodastositanhourwiththem，andshehadtakenapieceofcakeandbeensokindastosayshelikeditverymuch；and，therefore，shehopedMissWoodhouseandMissSmithwoulddothemthefavourtoeatapiecetoo。”
ThementionoftheColeswassuretobefollowedbythatofMr。Elton。
Therewasintimacybetweenthem，andMr。ColehadheardfromMr。Eltonsincehisgoingaway。Emmaknewwhatwascoming；theymusthavetheletteroveragain，andsettlehowlonghehadbeengone，andhowmuchhewasengagedincompany，andwhatafavouritehewaswhereverhewent，andhowfulltheMasteroftheCeremonies’
ballhadbeen；andshewentthroughitverywell，withalltheinterestandallthecommendationthatcouldberequisite，andalwaysputtingforwardtopreventHarriet’sbeingobligedtosayaword。
Thisshehadbeenpreparedforwhensheenteredthehouse；
butmeant，havingoncetalkedhimhandsomelyover，tobenofartherincommodedbyanytroublesometopic，andtowanderatlargeamongstalltheMistressesandMissesofHighbury，andtheircard-parties。
ShehadnotbeenpreparedtohaveJaneFairfaxsucceedMr。Elton；
buthewasactuallyhurriedoffbyMissBates，shejumpedawayfromhimatlastabruptlytotheColes，tousherinaletterfromherniece。
“Oh！yes——Mr。Elton，Iunderstand——certainlyastodancing——
Mrs。ColewastellingmethatdancingattheroomsatBathwas——
Mrs。Colewassokindastositsometimewithus，talkingofJane；
forassoonasshecamein，shebeganinquiringafterher，Janeissoverygreatafavouritethere。Wheneversheiswithus，Mrs。Coledoesnotknowhowtoshewherkindnessenough；
andImustsaythatJanedeservesitasmuchasanybodycan。
Andsoshebeganinquiringafterherdirectly，saying，`IknowyoucannothaveheardfromJanelately，becauseitisnothertimeforwriting；’andwhenIimmediatelysaid，`Butindeedwehave，wehadaletterthisverymorning，’IdonotknowthatIeversawanybodymoresurprized。`Haveyou，uponyourhonour？’saidshe；
`well，thatisquiteunexpected。Doletmehearwhatshesays。’“
Emma’spolitenesswasathanddirectly，tosay，withsmilinginterest——
“HaveyouheardfromMissFairfaxsolately？Iamextremelyhappy。
Ihopesheiswell？“
“Thankyou。Youaresokind！“repliedthehappilydeceivedaunt，whileeagerlyhuntingfortheletter——“Oh！hereitis。Iwassureitcouldnotbefaroff；butIhadputmyhuswifeuponit，yousee，withoutbeingaware，andsoitwasquitehid，butIhaditinmyhandsoverylatelythatIwasalmostsureitmustbeonthetable。
IwasreadingittoMrs。Cole，andsinceshewentaway，Iwasreadingitagaintomymother，foritissuchapleasuretoher——
aletterfromJane——thatshecanneverhearitoftenenough；
soIknewitcouldnotbefaroff，andhereitis，onlyjustundermyhuswife——andsinceyouaresokindastowishtohearwhatshesays；——but，firstofall，Ireallymust，injusticetoJane，apologiseforherwritingsoshortaletter——onlytwopagesyousee——
hardlytwo——andingeneralshefillsthewholepaperandcrosseshalf。
MymotheroftenwondersthatIcanmakeitoutsowell。
Sheoftensays，whentheletterisfirstopened，`Well，Hetty，nowIthinkyouwillbeputtoittomakeoutallthatchecker-work’——
don’tyou，ma’am？——AndthenItellher，Iamsureshewouldcontrivetomakeitoutherself，ifshehadnobodytodoitforher——
everywordofit——Iamsureshewouldporeoverittillshehadmadeouteveryword。And，indeed，thoughmymother’seyesarenotsogoodastheywere，shecanseeamazinglywellstill，thankGod！
withthehelpofspectacles。Itissuchablessing！Mymother’sarereallyverygoodindeed。Janeoftensays，whensheishere，`Iamsure，grandmama，youmusthavehadverystrongeyestoseeasyoudo——andsomuchfineworkasyouhavedonetoo！——Ionlywishmyeyesmaylastmeaswell。’“
AllthisspokenextremelyfastobligedMissBatestostopforbreath；
andEmmasaidsomethingverycivilabouttheexcellenceofMissFairfax’shandwriting。
“Youareextremelykind。”repliedMissBates，highlygratified；
“youwhoaresuchajudge，andwritesobeautifullyyourself。
Iamsurethereisnobody’spraisethatcouldgiveussomuchpleasureasMissWoodhouse’s。Mymotherdoesnothear；sheisalittledeafyouknow。Ma’am。”addressingher，“doyouhearwhatMissWoodhouseissoobligingtosayaboutJane’shandwriting？“
AndEmmahadtheadvantageofhearingherownsillycomplimentrepeatedtwiceoverbeforethegoodoldladycouldcomprehendit。
Shewaspondering，inthemeanwhile，uponthepossibility，withoutseemingveryrude，ofmakingherescapefromJaneFairfax’sletter，andhadalmostresolvedonhurryingawaydirectlyundersomeslightexcuse，whenMissBatesturnedtoheragainandseizedherattention。
“Mymother’sdeafnessisverytriflingyousee——justnothingatall。
Byonlyraisingmyvoice，andsayinganythingtwoorthreetimesover，sheissuretohear；butthensheisusedtomyvoice。ButitisveryremarkablethatsheshouldalwayshearJanebetterthanshedoesme。
Janespeakssodistinct！However，shewillnotfindhergrandmamaatalldeaferthanshewastwoyearsago；whichissayingagreatdealatmymother’stimeoflife——anditreallyisfulltwoyears，youknow，sinceshewashere。Weneverweresolongwithoutseeingherbefore，andasIwastellingMrs。Cole，weshallhardlyknowhowtomakeenoughofhernow。”
“AreyouexpectingMissFairfaxheresoon？“
“Ohyes；nextweek。”
“Indeed！——thatmustbeaverygreatpleasure。”
“Thankyou。Youareverykind。Yes，nextweek。Everybodyissosurprized；andeverybodysaysthesameobligingthings。I
amsureshewillbeashappytoseeherfriendsatHighbury，astheycanbetoseeher。Yes，FridayorSaturday；shecannotsaywhich，becauseColonelCampbellwillbewantingthecarriagehimselfoneofthosedays。Soverygoodofthemtosendherthewholeway！
Buttheyalwaysdo，youknow。Ohyes，FridayorSaturdaynext。
Thatiswhatshewritesabout。Thatisthereasonofherwritingoutofrule，aswecallit；for，inthecommoncourse，weshouldnothaveheardfromherbeforenextTuesdayorWednesday。”
“Yes，soIimagined。IwasafraidtherecouldbelittlechanceofmyhearinganythingofMissFairfaxto-day。”
“Soobligingofyou！No，weshouldnothaveheard，ifithadnotbeenforthisparticularcircumstance，ofherbeingtocomeheresosoon。Mymotherissodelighted！——forsheistobethreemonthswithusatleast。Threemonths，shesaysso，positively，asI
amgoingtohavethepleasureofreadingtoyou。Thecaseis，yousee，thattheCampbellsaregoingtoIreland。Mrs。Dixonhaspersuadedherfatherandmothertocomeoverandseeherdirectly。
Theyhadnotintendedtogoovertillthesummer，butsheissoimpatienttoseethemagain——fortillshemarried，lastOctober，shewasneverawayfromthemsomuchasaweek，whichmustmakeitverystrangetobeindifferentkingdoms，Iwasgoingtosay，buthoweverdifferentcountries，andsoshewroteaveryurgentlettertohermother——orherfather，IdeclareIdonotknowwhichitwas，butweshallseepresentlyinJane’sletter——wroteinMr。Dixon’snameaswellasherown，topresstheircomingoverdirectly，andtheywouldgivethemthemeetinginDublin，andtakethembacktotheircountryseat，Baly-craig，abeautifulplace，Ifancy。
Janehasheardagreatdealofitsbeauty；fromMr。Dixon，Imean——
Idonotknowthatsheeverheardaboutitfromanybodyelse；
butitwasverynatural，youknow，thatheshouldliketospeakofhisownplacewhilehewaspayinghisaddresses——andasJaneusedtobeveryoftenwalkingoutwiththem——forColonelandMrs。Campbellwereveryparticularabouttheirdaughter’snotwalkingoutoftenwithonlyMr。Dixon，forwhichIdonotatallblamethem；
ofcoursesheheardeverythinghemightbetellingMissCampbellabouthisownhomeinIreland；andIthinkshewroteuswordthathehadshewnthemsomedrawingsoftheplace，viewsthathehadtakenhimself。Heisamostamiable，charmingyoungman，Ibelieve。JanewasquitelongingtogotoIreland，fromhisaccountofthings。”
Atthismoment，aningeniousandanimatingsuspicionenteringEmma’sbrainwithregardtoJaneFairfax，thischarmingMr。Dixon，andthenotgoingtoIreland，shesaid，withtheinsidiousdesignoffartherdiscovery，“YoumustfeelitveryfortunatethatMissFairfaxshouldbeallowedtocometoyouatsuchatime。ConsideringtheveryparticularfriendshipbetweenherandMrs。Dixon，youcouldhardlyhaveexpectedhertobeexcusedfromaccompanyingColonelandMrs。Campbell。”
“Verytrue，verytrue，indeed。Theverythingthatwehavealwaysbeenratherafraidof；forweshouldnothavelikedtohaveheratsuchadistancefromus，formonthstogether——notabletocomeifanythingwastohappen。Butyousee，everythingturnsoutforthebest。TheywantherMr。andMrs。DixonexcessivelytocomeoverwithColonelandMrs。Campbell；quitedependuponit；
nothingcanbemorekindorpressingthantheirjointinvitation，Janesays，asyouwillhearpresently；Mr。Dixondoesnotseemintheleastbackwardinanyattention。Heisamostcharmingyoungman。
EversincetheserviceherenderedJaneatWeymouth，whentheywereoutinthatpartyonthewater，andshe，bythesuddenwhirlingroundofsomethingorotheramongthesails，wouldhavebeendashedintotheseaatonce，andactuallywasallbutgone，ifhehadnot，withthegreatestpresenceofmind，caughtholdofherhabit——
Icanneverthinkofitwithouttrembling！——Buteversincewehadthehistoryofthatday，IhavebeensofondofMr。Dixon！“
“But，inspiteofallherfriends’urgency，andherownwishofseeingIreland，MissFairfaxprefersdevotingthetimetoyouandMrs。Bates？“
“Yes——entirelyherowndoing，entirelyherownchoice；andColonelandMrs。Campbellthinkshedoesquiteright，justwhattheyshouldrecommend；andindeedtheyparticularlywishhertotryhernativeair，asshehasnotbeenquitesowellasusuallately。”
“Iamconcernedtohearofit。Ithinktheyjudgewisely。
ButMrs。Dixonmustbeverymuchdisappointed。Mrs。Dixon，Iunderstand，hasnoremarkabledegreeofpersonalbeauty；isnot，byanymeans，tobecomparedwithMissFairfax。”
“Oh！no。Youareveryobligingtosaysuchthings——butcertainlynot。
Thereisnocomparisonbetweenthem。MissCampbellalwayswasabsolutelyplain——butextremelyelegantandamiable。”
“Yes，thatofcourse。”
“Janecaughtabadcold，poorthing！solongagoasthe7thofNovember，asIamgoingtoreadtoyou，andhasneverbeenwellsince。Alongtime，isnotit，foracoldtohanguponher？
Shenevermentioneditbefore，becauseshewouldnotalarmus。
Justlikeher！soconsiderate！——Buthowever，sheissofarfromwell，thatherkindfriendstheCampbellsthinkshehadbettercomehome，andtryanairthatalwaysagreeswithher；andtheyhavenodoubtthatthreeorfourmonthsatHighburywillentirelycureher——
anditiscertainlyagreatdealbetterthatsheshouldcomehere，thangotoIreland，ifsheisunwell。Nobodycouldnurseher，asweshoulddo。”
“Itappearstomethemostdesirablearrangementintheworld。”
“AndsosheistocometousnextFridayorSaturday，andtheCampbellsleavetownintheirwaytoHolyheadtheMondayfollowing——
asyouwillfindfromJane’sletter。Sosudden！——Youmayguess，dearMissWoodhouse，whataflurryithasthrownmein！
Ifitwasnotforthedrawbackofherillness——butIamafraidwemustexpecttoseehergrownthin，andlookingverypoorly。
Imusttellyouwhatanunluckythinghappenedtome，astothat。
IalwaysmakeapointofreadingJane’slettersthroughtomyselffirst，beforeIreadthemaloudtomymother，youknow，forfearoftherebeinganythinginthemtodistressher。Janedesiredmetodoit，soIalwaysdo：andsoIbeganto-daywithmyusualcaution；
butnosoonerdidIcometothementionofherbeingunwell，thanI
burstout，quitefrightened，with`Blessme！poorJaneisill！’——
whichmymother，beingonthewatch，hearddistinctly，andwassadlyalarmedat。However，whenIreadon，IfounditwasnotnearsobadasIhadfanciedatfirst；andImakesolightofitnowtoher，thatshedoesnotthinkmuchaboutit。ButIcannotimaginehowIcouldbesooffmyguard。IfJanedoesnotgetwellsoon，wewillcallinMr。Perry。Theexpenseshallnotbethoughtof；
andthoughheissoliberal，andsofondofJanethatIdaresayhewouldnotmeantochargeanythingforattendance，wecouldnotsufferittobeso，youknow。Hehasawifeandfamilytomaintain，andisnottobegivingawayhistime。Well，nowIhavejustgivenyouahintofwhatJanewritesabout，wewillturntoherletter，andI
amsureshetellsherownstoryagreatdealbetterthanIcantellitforher。”
“Iamafraidwemustberunningaway。”saidEmma，glancingatHarriet，andbeginningtorise——“Myfatherwillbeexpectingus。
Ihadnointention，IthoughtIhadnopowerofstayingmorethanfiveminutes，whenIfirstenteredthehouse。Imerelycalled，becauseIwouldnotpassthedoorwithoutinquiringafterMrs。Bates；
butIhavebeensopleasantlydetained！Now，however，wemustwishyouandMrs。Batesgoodmorning。”
Andnotallthatcouldbeurgedtodetainhersucceeded。
Sheregainedthestreet——happyinthis，thatthoughmuchhadbeenforcedonheragainstherwill，thoughshehadinfactheardthewholesubstanceofJaneFairfax’sletter，shehadbeenabletoescapetheletteritself。
Chapter02CHAPTERII
JaneFairfaxwasanorphan，theonlychildofMrs。Bates’syoungestdaughter。
ThemarriageofLieut。Fairfaxofthe_______regimentofinfantry，andMissJaneBates，hadhaditsdayoffameandpleasure，hopeandinterest；butnothingnowremainedofit，savethemelancholyremembranceofhimdyinginactionabroad——ofhiswidowsinkingunderconsumptionandgriefsoonafterwards——andthisgirl。
BybirthshebelongedtoHighbury：andwhenatthreeyearsold，onlosinghermother，shebecametheproperty，thecharge，theconsolation，thefondlingofhergrandmotherandaunt，therehadseemedeveryprobabilityofherbeingpermanentlyfixedthere；
ofherbeingtaughtonlywhatverylimitedmeanscouldcommand，andgrowingupwithnoadvantagesofconnexionorimprovement，tobeengraftedonwhatnaturehadgivenherinapleasingperson，goodunderstanding，andwarm-hearted，well-meaningrelations。
Butthecompassionatefeelingsofafriendofherfathergaveachangetoherdestiny。ThiswasColonelCampbell，whohadveryhighlyregardedFairfax，asanexcellentofficerandmostdeservingyoungman；andfarther，hadbeenindebtedtohimforsuchattentions，duringaseverecamp-fever，ashebelievedhadsavedhislife。Thesewereclaimswhichhedidnotlearntooverlook，thoughsomeyearspassedawayfromthedeathofpoorFairfax，beforehisownreturntoEnglandputanythinginhispower。
Whenhedidreturn，hesoughtoutthechildandtooknoticeofher。
Hewasamarriedman，withonlyonelivingchild，agirl，aboutJane’sage：andJanebecametheirguest，payingthemlongvisitsandgrowingafavouritewithall；andbeforeshewasnineyearsold，hisdaughter’sgreatfondnessforher，andhisownwishofbeingarealfriend，unitedtoproduceanofferfromColonelCampbellofundertakingthewholechargeofhereducation。Itwasaccepted；
andfromthatperiodJanehadbelongedtoColonelCampbell’sfamily，andhadlivedwiththementirely，onlyvisitinghergrandmotherfromtimetotime。
Theplanwasthatsheshouldbebroughtupforeducatingothers；
theveryfewhundredpoundswhichsheinheritedfromherfathermakingindependenceimpossible。ToprovideforherotherwisewasoutofColonelCampbell’spower；forthoughhisincome，bypayandappointments，washandsome，hisfortunewasmoderateandmustbeallhisdaughter’s；but，bygivingheraneducation，hehopedtobesupplyingthemeansofrespectablesubsistencehereafter。
SuchwasJaneFairfax’shistory。Shehadfallenintogoodhands，knownnothingbutkindnessfromtheCampbells，andbeengivenanexcellenteducation。Livingconstantlywithright-mindedandwell-informedpeople，herheartandunderstandinghadreceivedeveryadvantageofdisciplineandculture；andColonelCampbell’sresidencebeinginLondon，everylightertalenthadbeendonefulljusticeto，bytheattendanceoffirst-ratemasters。
Herdispositionandabilitieswereequallyworthyofallthatfriendshipcoulddo；andateighteenornineteenshewas，asfarassuchanearlyagecanbequalifiedforthecareofchildren，fullycompetenttotheofficeofinstructionherself；butshewastoomuchbelovedtobepartedwith。Neitherfathernormothercouldpromote，andthedaughtercouldnotendureit。Theevildaywasputoff。Itwaseasytodecidethatshewasstilltooyoung；
andJaneremainedwiththem，sharing，asanotherdaughter，inalltherationalpleasuresofanelegantsociety，andajudiciousmixtureofhomeandamusement，withonlythedrawbackofthefuture，thesoberingsuggestionsofherowngoodunderstandingtoremindherthatallthismightsoonbeover。
Theaffectionofthewholefamily，thewarmattachmentofMissCampbellinparticular，wasthemorehonourabletoeachpartyfromthecircumstanceofJane’sdecidedsuperioritybothinbeautyandacquirements。Thatnaturehadgivenitinfeaturecouldnotbeunseenbytheyoungwoman，norcouldherhigherpowersofmindbeunfeltbytheparents。Theycontinuedtogetherwithunabatedregardhowever，tillthemarriageofMissCampbell，whobythatchance，thatluckwhichsooftendefiesanticipationinmatrimonialaffairs，givingattractiontowhatismoderateratherthantowhatissuperior，engagedtheaffectionsofMr。Dixon，ayoungman，richandagreeable，almostassoonastheywereacquainted；andwaseligiblyandhappilysettled，whileJaneFairfaxhadyetherbreadtoearn。
Thiseventhadverylatelytakenplace；toolatelyforanythingtobeyetattemptedbyherlessfortunatefriendtowardsenteringonherpathofduty；thoughshehadnowreachedtheagewhichherownjudgmenthadfixedonforbeginning。Shehadlongresolvedthatone-and-twentyshouldbetheperiod。Withthefortitudeofadevotednovitiate，shehadresolvedatone-and-twentytocompletethesacrifice，andretirefromallthepleasuresoflife，ofrationalintercourse，equalsociety，peaceandhope，topenanceandmortificationforever。
ThegoodsenseofColonelandMrs。Campbellcouldnotopposesucharesolution，thoughtheirfeelingsdid。Aslongastheylived，noexertionswouldbenecessary，theirhomemightbehersforever；
andfortheirowncomforttheywouldhaveretainedherwholly；
butthiswouldbeselfishness：——whatmustbeatlast，hadbetterbesoon。Perhapstheybegantofeelitmighthavebeenkinderandwisertohaveresistedthetemptationofanydelay，andsparedherfromatasteofsuchenjoymentsofeaseandleisureasmustnowberelinquished。Still，however，affectionwasgladtocatchatanyreasonableexcusefornothurryingonthewretchedmoment。