Shehadneverbeenquitewellsincethetimeoftheirdaughter’smarriage；
andtillsheshouldhavecompletelyrecoveredherusualstrength，theymustforbidherengaginginduties，which，sofarfrombeingcompatiblewithaweakenedframeandvaryingspirits，seemed，underthemostfavourablecircumstances，torequiresomethingmorethanhumanperfectionofbodyandmindtobedischargedwithtolerablecomfort。
WithregardtohernotaccompanyingthemtoIreland，heraccounttoherauntcontainednothingbuttruth，thoughtheremightbesometruthsnottold。ItwasherownchoicetogivethetimeoftheirabsencetoHighbury；tospend，perhaps，herlastmonthsofperfectlibertywiththosekindrelationstowhomshewassoverydear：
andtheCampbells，whatevermightbetheirmotiveormotives，whethersingle，ordouble，ortreble，gavethearrangementtheirreadysanction，andsaid，thattheydependedmoreonafewmonthsspentinhernativeair，fortherecoveryofherhealth，thanonanythingelse。Certainitwasthatshewastocome；
andthatHighbury，insteadofwelcomingthatperfectnoveltywhichhadbeensolongpromisedit——Mr。FrankChurchill——mustputupforthepresentwithJaneFairfax，whocouldbringonlythefreshnessofatwoyears’absence。
Emmawassorry；——tohavetopaycivilitiestoapersonshedidnotlikethroughthreelongmonths！——tobealwaysdoingmorethanshewished，andlessthansheought！WhyshedidnotlikeJaneFairfaxmightbeadifficultquestiontoanswer；Mr。Knightleyhadoncetoldheritwasbecauseshesawinherthereallyaccomplishedyoungwoman，whichshewantedtobethoughtherself；
andthoughtheaccusationhadbeeneagerlyrefutedatthetime，thereweremomentsofself-examinationinwhichherconsciencecouldnotquiteacquither。But“shecouldnevergetacquaintedwithher：
shedidnotknowhowitwas，buttherewassuchcoldnessandreserve——
suchapparentindifferencewhethershepleasedornot——andthen，herauntwassuchaneternaltalker！——andshewasmadesuchafusswithbyeverybody！——andithadbeenalwaysimaginedthattheyweretobesointimate——becausetheirageswerethesame，everybodyhadsupposedtheymustbesofondofeachother。”Thesewereherreasons——
shehadnobetter。
Itwasadislikesolittlejust——everyimputedfaultwassomagnifiedbyfancy，thatsheneversawJaneFairfaxthefirsttimeafteranyconsiderableabsence，withoutfeelingthatshehadinjuredher；
andnow，whentheduevisitwaspaid，onherarrival，afteratwoyears’
interval，shewasparticularlystruckwiththeveryappearanceandmanners，whichforthosetwowholeyearsshehadbeendepreciating。
JaneFairfaxwasveryelegant，remarkablyelegant；andshehadherselfthehighestvalueforelegance。Herheightwaspretty，justsuchasalmosteverybodywouldthinktall，andnobodycouldthinkverytall；herfigureparticularlygraceful；hersizeamostbecomingmedium，betweenfatandthin，thoughaslightappearanceofill-healthseemedtopointoutthelikeliestevilofthetwo。
Emmacouldnotbutfeelallthis；andthen，herface——herfeatures——
therewasmorebeautyinthemaltogetherthanshehadremembered；
itwasnotregular，butitwasverypleasingbeauty。Hereyes，adeepgrey，withdarkeye-lashesandeyebrows，hadneverbeendeniedtheirpraise；buttheskin，whichshehadbeenusedtocavilat，aswantingcolour，hadaclearnessanddelicacywhichreallyneedednofullerbloom。Itwasastyleofbeauty，ofwhichelegancewasthereigningcharacter，andassuch，shemust，inhonour，byallherprinciples，admireit：——elegance，which，whetherofpersonorofmind，shesawsolittleinHighbury。There，nottobevulgar，wasdistinction，andmerit。
Inshort，shesat，duringthefirstvisit，lookingatJaneFairfaxwithtwofoldcomplacency；thesenseofpleasureandthesenseofrenderingjustice，andwasdeterminingthatshewoulddislikehernolonger。Whenshetookinherhistory，indeed，hersituation，aswellasherbeauty；whensheconsideredwhatallthiselegancewasdestinedto，whatshewasgoingtosinkfrom，howshewasgoingtolive，itseemedimpossibletofeelanythingbutcompassionandrespect；especially，iftoeverywell-knownparticularentitlinghertointerest，wereaddedthehighlyprobablecircumstanceofanattachmenttoMr。Dixon，whichshehadsonaturallystartedtoherself。Inthatcase，nothingcouldbemorepitiableormorehonourablethanthesacrificesshehadresolvedon。
EmmawasverywillingnowtoacquitherofhavingseducedMr。Dixon’sactionsfromhiswife，orofanythingmischievouswhichherimaginationhadsuggestedatfirst。Ifitwerelove，itmightbesimple，single，successlessloveonhersidealone。
Shemighthavebeenunconsciouslysuckinginthesadpoison，whileasharerofhisconversationwithherfriend；andfromthebest，thepurestofmotives，mightnowbedenyingherselfthisvisittoIreland，andresolvingtodivideherselfeffectuallyfromhimandhisconnexionsbysoonbeginninghercareeroflaboriousduty。
Uponthewhole，Emmaleftherwithsuchsoftened，charitablefeelings，asmadeherlookaroundinwalkinghome，andlamentthatHighburyaffordednoyoungmanworthyofgivingherindependence；
nobodythatshecouldwishtoschemeaboutforher。
Thesewerecharmingfeelings——butnotlasting。BeforeshehadcommittedherselfbyanypublicprofessionofeternalfriendshipforJaneFairfax，ordonemoretowardsarecantationofpastprejudicesanderrors，thansayingtoMr。Knightley，“Shecertainlyishandsome；
sheisbetterthanhandsome！“JanehadspentaneveningatHartfieldwithhergrandmotherandaunt，andeverythingwasrelapsingmuchintoitsusualstate。Formerprovocationsreappeared。Theauntwasastiresomeasever；moretiresome，becauseanxietyforherhealthwasnowaddedtoadmirationofherpowers；andtheyhadtolistentothedescriptionofexactlyhowlittlebreadandbuttersheateforbreakfast，andhowsmallasliceofmuttonfordinner，aswellastoseeexhibitionsofnewcapsandnewworkbagsforhermotherandherself；andJane’soffencesroseagain。Theyhadmusic；
Emmawasobligedtoplay；andthethanksandpraisewhichnecessarilyfollowedappearedtoheranaffectationofcandour，anairofgreatness，meaningonlytoshewoffinhigherstyleherownverysuperiorperformance。Shewas，besides，whichwastheworstofall，socold，socautious！Therewasnogettingatherrealopinion。
Wraptupinacloakofpoliteness，sheseemeddeterminedtohazardnothing。Shewasdisgustingly，wassuspiciouslyreserved。
Ifanythingcouldbemore，whereallwasmost，shewasmorereservedonthesubjectofWeymouthandtheDixonsthananything。
SheseemedbentongivingnorealinsightintoMr。Dixon’scharacter，orherownvalueforhiscompany，oropinionofthesuitablenessofthematch。Itwasallgeneralapprobationandsmoothness；
nothingdelineatedordistinguished。Itdidhernoservicehowever。
Hercautionwasthrownaway。Emmasawitsartifice，andreturnedtoherfirstsurmises。Thereprobablywassomethingmoretoconcealthanherownpreference；Mr。Dixon，perhaps，hadbeenverynearchangingonefriendfortheother，orbeenfixedonlytoMissCampbell，forthesakeofthefuturetwelvethousandpounds。
Thelikereserveprevailedonothertopics。SheandMr。FrankChurchillhadbeenatWeymouthatthesametime。Itwasknownthattheywerealittleacquainted；butnotasyllableofrealinformationcouldEmmaprocureastowhathetrulywas。“Washehandsome？“——“Shebelievedhewasreckonedaveryfineyoungman。”“Washeagreeable？“——
“Hewasgenerallythoughtso。”“Didheappearasensibleyoungman；
ayoungmanofinformation？“——“Atawatering-place，orinacommonLondonacquaintance，itwasdifficulttodecideonsuchpoints。
Mannerswereallthatcouldbesafelyjudgedof，underamuchlongerknowledgethantheyhadyethadofMr。Churchill。Shebelievedeverybodyfoundhismannerspleasing。”Emmacouldnotforgiveher。
Chapter03CHAPTERIII
Emmacouldnotforgiveher；——butasneitherprovocationnorresentmentwerediscernedbyMr。Knightley，whohadbeenoftheparty，andhadseenonlyproperattentionandpleasingbehaviouroneachside，hewasexpressingthenextmorning，beingatHartfieldagainonbusinesswithMr。Woodhouse，hisapprobationofthewhole；notsoopenlyashemighthavedonehadherfatherbeenoutoftheroom，butspeakingplainenoughtobeveryintelligibletoEmma。
HehadbeenusedtothinkherunjusttoJane，andhadnowgreatpleasureinmarkinganimprovement。
“Averypleasantevening。”hebegan，assoonasMr。Woodhousehadbeentalkedintowhatwasnecessary，toldthatheunderstood，andthepaperssweptaway；——“particularlypleasant。YouandMissFairfaxgaveussomeverygoodmusic。Idonotknowamoreluxuriousstate，sir，thansittingatone’seasetobeentertainedawholeeveningbytwosuchyoungwomen；sometimeswithmusicandsometimeswithconversation。IamsureMissFairfaxmusthavefoundtheeveningpleasant，Emma。Youleftnothingundone。
Iwasgladyoumadeherplaysomuch，forhavingnoinstrumentathergrandmother’s，itmusthavebeenarealindulgence。”
“Iamhappyyouapproved。”saidEmma，smiling；“butIhopeIamnotoftendeficientinwhatisduetoguestsatHartfield。”
“No，mydear。”saidherfatherinstantly；“thatIamsureyouarenot。Thereisnobodyhalfsoattentiveandcivilasyouare。
Ifanything，youaretooattentive。Themuffinlastnight——ifithadbeenhandedroundonce，Ithinkitwouldhavebeenenough。”
“No。”saidMr。Knightley，nearlyatthesametime；“youarenotoftendeficient；notoftendeficienteitherinmannerorcomprehension。
Ithinkyouunderstandme，therefore。”
Anarchlookexpressed——“Iunderstandyouwellenough；“butshesaidonly，“MissFairfaxisreserved。”
“Ialwaystoldyoushewas——alittle；butyouwillsoonovercomeallthatpartofherreservewhichoughttobeovercome，allthathasitsfoundationindiffidence。Whatarisesfromdiscretionmustbehonoured。”
“Youthinkherdiffident。Idonotseeit。”
“MydearEmma。”saidhe，movingfromhischairintooneclosebyher，“youarenotgoingtotellme，Ihope，thatyouhadnotapleasantevening。”
“Oh！no；Iwaspleasedwithmyownperseveranceinaskingquestions；
andamusedtothinkhowlittleinformationIobtained。”
“Iamdisappointed。”washisonlyanswer。
“Ihopeeverybodyhadapleasantevening。”saidMr。Woodhouse，inhisquietway。“Ihad。Once，Ifeltthefirerathertoomuch；
butthenImovedbackmychairalittle，averylittle，anditdidnotdisturbme。MissBateswasverychattyandgood-humoured，asshealwaysis，thoughshespeaksrathertooquick。However，sheisveryagreeable，andMrs。Batestoo，inadifferentway。
Ilikeoldfriends；andMissJaneFairfaxisaveryprettysortofyounglady，averyprettyandaverywell-behavedyoungladyindeed。
Shemusthavefoundtheeveningagreeable，Mr。Knightley，becauseshehadEmma。”
“True，sir；andEmma，becauseshehadMissFairfax。”
Emmasawhisanxiety，andwishingtoappeaseit，atleastforthepresent，said，andwithasinceritywhichnoonecouldquestion——
“Sheisasortofelegantcreaturethatonecannotkeepone’seyesfrom。
Iamalwayswatchinghertoadmire；andIdopityherfrommyheart。”
Mr。Knightleylookedasifheweremoregratifiedthanhecaredtoexpress；andbeforehecouldmakeanyreply，Mr。Woodhouse，whosethoughtswereontheBates’s，said——
“Itisagreatpitythattheircircumstancesshouldbesoconfined！
agreatpityindeed！andIhaveoftenwished——butitissolittleonecanventuretodo——small，triflingpresents，ofanythinguncommon——
Nowwehavekilledaporker，andEmmathinksofsendingthemaloinoraleg；itisverysmallanddelicate——Hartfieldporkisnotlikeanyotherpork——butstillitispork——and，mydearEmma，unlessonecouldbesureoftheirmakingitintosteaks，nicelyfried，asoursarefried，withoutthesmallestgrease，andnotroastit，fornostomachcanbearroastpork——Ithinkwehadbettersendtheleg——
donotyouthinkso，mydear？“
“Mydearpapa，Isentthewholehind-quarter。Iknewyouwouldwishit。
Therewillbethelegtobesalted，youknow，whichissoverynice，andthelointobedresseddirectlyinanymannertheylike。”
“That’sright，mydear，veryright。Ihadnotthoughtofitbefore，butthatisthebestway。Theymustnotover-salttheleg；andthen，ifitisnotover-salted，andifitisverythoroughlyboiled，justasSerleboilsours，andeatenverymoderatelyof，withaboiledturnip，andalittlecarrotorparsnip，Idonotconsideritunwholesome。”
“Emma。”saidMr。Knightleypresently，“Ihaveapieceofnewsforyou。
Youlikenews——andIheardanarticleinmywayhitherthatIthinkwillinterestyou。”
“News！Oh！yes，Ialwayslikenews。Whatisit？——whydoyousmileso？——wheredidyouhearit？——atRandalls？“
Hehadtimeonlytosay，“No，notatRandalls；IhavenotbeennearRandalls。”whenthedoorwasthrownopen，andMissBatesandMissFairfaxwalkedintotheroom。
Fullofthanks，andfullofnews，MissBatesknewnotwhichtogivequickest。Mr。Knightleysoonsawthathehadlosthismoment，andthatnotanothersyllableofcommunicationcouldrestwithhim。
“Oh！mydearsir，howareyouthismorning？MydearMissWoodhouse——
Icomequiteover-powered。Suchabeautifulhind-quarterofpork！
Youaretoobountiful！Haveyouheardthenews？Mr。Eltonisgoingtobemarried。”
EmmahadnothadtimeeventothinkofMr。Elton，andshewassocompletelysurprizedthatshecouldnotavoidalittlestart，andalittleblush，atthesound。
“Thereismynews：——Ithoughtitwouldinterestyou。”
saidMr。Knightley，withasmilewhichimpliedaconvictionofsomepartofwhathadpassedbetweenthem。
“Butwherecouldyouhearit？“criedMissBates。“Wherecouldyoupossiblyhearit，Mr。Knightley？ForitisnotfiveminutessinceIreceivedMrs。Cole’snote——no，itcannotbemorethanfive——
oratleastten——forIhadgotmybonnetandspenceron，justreadytocomeout——IwasonlygonedowntospeaktoPattyagainaboutthepork——Janewasstandinginthepassage——werenotyou，Jane？——
formymotherwassoafraidthatwehadnotanysalting-panlargeenough。SoIsaidIwouldgodownandsee，andJanesaid，`ShallIgodowninstead？forIthinkyouhavealittlecold，andPattyhasbeenwashingthekitchen。’——`Oh！mydear，’
saidI——well，andjustthencamethenote。AMissHawkins——
that’sallIknow。AMissHawkinsofBath。But，Mr。Knightley，howcouldyoupossiblyhaveheardit？fortheverymomentMr。ColetoldMrs。Coleofit，shesatdownandwrotetome。AMissHawkins——“
“IwaswithMr。Coleonbusinessanhourandahalfago。
HehadjustreadElton’sletterasIwasshewnin，andhandedittomedirectly。”
“Well！thatisquite——Isupposethereneverwasapieceofnewsmoregenerallyinteresting。Mydearsir，youreallyaretoobountiful。
Mymotherdesiresherverybestcomplimentsandregards，andathousandthanks，andsaysyoureallyquiteoppressher。”
“WeconsiderourHartfieldpork。”repliedMr。Woodhouse——“indeeditcertainlyis，soverysuperiortoallotherpork，thatEmmaandI
cannothaveagreaterpleasurethan——“
“Oh！mydearsir，asmymothersays，ourfriendsareonlytoogoodtous。Ifevertherewerepeoplewho，withouthavinggreatwealththemselves，hadeverythingtheycouldwishfor，Iamsureitisus。
Wemaywellsaythat`ourlotiscastinagoodlyheritage。’
Well，Mr。Knightley，andsoyouactuallysawtheletter；well——“
“Itwasshort——merelytoannounce——butcheerful，exulting，ofcourse。”——
HerewasaslyglanceatEmma。“Hehadbeensofortunateasto——
Iforgettheprecisewords——onehasnobusinesstorememberthem。
Theinformationwas，asyoustate，thathewasgoingtobemarriedtoaMissHawkins。Byhisstyle，Ishouldimagineitjustsettled。”
“Mr。Eltongoingtobemarried！“saidEmma，assoonasshecouldspeak。
“Hewillhaveeverybody’swishesforhishappiness。”
“Heisveryyoungtosettle。”wasMr。Woodhouse’sobservation。
“Hehadbetternotbeinahurry。Heseemedtomeverywelloffashewas。WewerealwaysgladtoseehimatHartfield。”
“Anewneighbourforusall，MissWoodhouse！“saidMissBates，joyfully；“mymotherissopleased！——shesaysshecannotbeartohavethepooroldVicaragewithoutamistress。
Thisisgreatnews，indeed。Jane，youhaveneverseenMr。Elton！——nowonderthatyouhavesuchacuriositytoseehim。”
Jane’scuriositydidnotappearofthatabsorbingnatureaswhollytooccupyher。
“No——IhaveneverseenMr。Elton。”shereplied，startingonthisappeal；
“ishe——isheatallman？“
“Whoshallanswerthatquestion？“criedEmma。“Myfatherwouldsay`yes，’Mr。Knightley`no；’andMissBatesandIthatheisjustthehappymedium。Whenyouhavebeenherealittlelonger，MissFairfax，youwillunderstandthatMr。EltonisthestandardofperfectioninHighbury，bothinpersonandmind。”
“Verytrue，MissWoodhouse，soshewill。Heistheverybestyoungman——But，mydearJane，ifyouremember，ItoldyouyesterdayhewaspreciselytheheightofMr。Perry。MissHawkins，——Idaresay，anexcellentyoungwoman。Hisextremeattentiontomymother——
wantinghertositinthevicaragepew，thatshemighthearthebetter，formymotherisalittledeaf，youknow——itisnotmuch，butshedoesnothearquitequick。JanesaysthatColonelCampbellisalittledeaf。Hefanciedbathingmightbegoodforit——thewarmbath——
butshesaysitdidhimnolastingbenefit。ColonelCampbell，youknow，isquiteourangel。AndMr。Dixonseemsaverycharmingyoungman，quiteworthyofhim。Itissuchahappinesswhengoodpeoplegettogether——andtheyalwaysdo。Now，herewillbeMr。
EltonandMissHawkins；andtherearetheColes，suchverygoodpeople；
andthePerrys——IsupposethereneverwasahappierorabettercouplethanMr。andMrs。Perry。Isay，sir。”turningtoMr。Woodhouse，“IthinktherearefewplaceswithsuchsocietyasHighbury。
Ialwayssay，wearequiteblessedinourneighbours——Mydearsir，ifthereisonethingmymotherlovesbetterthananother，itispork——
aroastloinofpork——“
“Astowho，orwhatMissHawkinsis，orhowlonghehasbeenacquaintedwithher。”saidEmma，“nothingIsupposecanbeknown。
Onefeelsthatitcannotbeaverylongacquaintance。Hehasbeengoneonlyfourweeks。”
Nobodyhadanyinformationtogive；and，afterafewmorewonderings，Emmasaid，“Youaresilent，MissFairfax——butIhopeyoumeantotakeaninterestinthisnews。You，whohavebeenhearingandseeingsomuchoflateonthesesubjects，whomusthavebeensodeepinthebusinessonMissCampbell’saccount——weshallnotexcuseyourbeingindifferentaboutMr。EltonandMissHawkins。”
“WhenIhaveseenMr。Elton。”repliedJane，“IdaresayI
shallbeinterested——butIbelieveitrequiresthatwithme。
AndasitissomemonthssinceMissCampbellmarried，theimpressionmaybealittlewornoff。”
“Yes，hehasbeengonejustfourweeks，asyouobserve，MissWoodhouse。”
saidMissBates，“fourweeksyesterday——AMissHawkins！——Well，Ihadalwaysratherfancieditwouldbesomeyoungladyhereabouts；
notthatIever——Mrs。Coleoncewhisperedtome——butIimmediatelysaid，`No，Mr。Eltonisamostworthyyoungman——but’——Inshort，IdonotthinkIamparticularlyquickatthosesortofdiscoveries。
Idonotpretendtoit。Whatisbeforeme，Isee。Atthesametime，nobodycouldwonderifMr。Eltonshouldhaveaspired——MissWoodhouseletsmechatteron，sogood-humouredly。SheknowsIwouldnotoffendfortheworld。HowdoesMissSmithdo？Sheseemsquiterecoverednow。HaveyouheardfromMrs。JohnKnightleylately？
Oh！thosedearlittlechildren。Jane，doyouknowIalwaysfancyMr。DixonlikeMr。JohnKnightley。Imeaninperson——tall，andwiththatsortoflook——andnotverytalkative。”
“Quitewrong，mydearaunt；thereisnolikenessatall。”
“Veryodd！butoneneverdoesformajustideaofanybodybeforehand。
Onetakesupanotion，andrunsawaywithit。Mr。Dixon，yousay，isnot，strictlyspeaking，handsome？“
“Handsome！Oh！no——farfromit——certainlyplain。Itoldyouhewasplain。”
“Mydear，yousaidthatMissCampbellwouldnotallowhimtobeplain，andthatyouyourself——“
“Oh！asforme，myjudgmentisworthnothing。WhereIhavearegard，Ialwaysthinkapersonwell-looking。ButIgavewhatIbelievedthegeneralopinion，whenIcalledhimplain。”
“Well，mydearJane，Ibelievewemustberunningaway。
Theweatherdoesnotlookwell，andgrandmamawillbeuneasy。
Youaretooobliging，mydearMissWoodhouse；butwereallymusttakeleave。Thishasbeenamostagreeablepieceofnewsindeed。
IshalljustgoroundbyMrs。Cole’s；butIshallnotstopthreeminutes：
and，Jane，youhadbettergohomedirectly——Iwouldnothaveyououtinashower！——WethinksheisthebetterforHighburyalready。
Thankyou，wedoindeed。IshallnotattemptcallingonMrs。Goddard，forIreallydonotthinkshecaresforanythingbutboiledpork：
whenwedressthelegitwillbeanotherthing。Goodmorningtoyou，mydearsir。Oh！Mr。Knightleyiscomingtoo。Well，thatissovery！——IamsureifJaneistired，youwillbesokindastogiveheryourarm——Mr。Elton，andMissHawkins！——Goodmorningtoyou。”
Emma，alonewithherfather，hadhalfherattentionwantedbyhimwhilehelamentedthatyoungpeoplewouldbeinsuchahurrytomarry——
andtomarrystrangerstoo——andtheotherhalfshecouldgivetoherownviewofthesubject。Itwastoherselfanamusingandaverywelcomepieceofnews，asprovingthatMr。Eltoncouldnothavesufferedlong；butshewassorryforHarriet：
Harrietmustfeelit——andallthatshecouldhopewas，bygivingthefirstinformationherself，tosaveherfromhearingitabruptlyfromothers。Itwasnowaboutthetimethatshewaslikelytocall。
IfsheweretomeetMissBatesinherway！——anduponitsbeginningtorain，EmmawasobligedtoexpectthattheweatherwouldbedetainingheratMrs。Goddard’s，andthattheintelligencewouldundoubtedlyrushuponherwithoutpreparation。
Theshowerwasheavy，butshort；andithadnotbeenoverfiveminutes，whenincameHarriet，withjusttheheated，agitatedlookwhichhurryingthitherwithafullheartwaslikelytogive；andthe“Oh！MissWoodhouse，whatdoyouthinkhashappened！“whichinstantlyburstforth，hadalltheevidenceofcorrespondingperturbation。
Astheblowwasgiven，Emmafeltthatshecouldnotnowshewgreaterkindnessthaninlistening；andHarriet，unchecked，raneagerlythroughwhatshehadtotell。“ShehadsetoutfromMrs。Goddard’shalfanhourago——shehadbeenafraiditwouldrain——shehadbeenafraiditwouldpourdowneverymoment——butshethoughtshemightgettoHartfieldfirst——shehadhurriedonasfastaspossible；
butthen，asshewaspassingbythehousewhereayoungwomanwasmakingupagownforher，shethoughtshewouldjuststepinandseehowitwenton；andthoughshedidnotseemtostayhalfamomentthere，soonaftershecameoutitbegantorain，andshedidnotknowwhattodo；sosheranondirectly，asfastasshecould，andtookshelteratFord’s。”——Ford’swastheprincipalwoollen-draper，linen-draper，andhaberdasher’sshopunited；
theshopfirstinsizeandfashionintheplace——“Andso，thereshehadset，withoutanideaofanythingintheworld，fulltenminutes，perhaps——when，allofasudden，whoshouldcomein——
tobesureitwassoveryodd！——buttheyalwaysdealtatFord’s——
whoshouldcomein，butElizabethMartinandherbrother！——
DearMissWoodhouse！onlythink。IthoughtIshouldhavefainted。
Ididnotknowwhattodo。Iwassittingnearthedoor——Elizabethsawmedirectly；buthedidnot；hewasbusywiththeumbrella。
Iamsureshesawme，butshelookedawaydirectly，andtooknonotice；andtheybothwenttoquitethefartherendoftheshop；
andIkeptsittingnearthedoor！——Oh！dear；Iwassomiserable！
IamsureImusthavebeenaswhiteasmygown。Icouldnotgoawayyouknow，becauseoftherain；butIdidsowishmyselfanywhereintheworldbutthere——Oh！dear，MissWoodhouse——well，atlast，Ifancy，helookedroundandsawme；forinsteadofgoingonwithherbuyings，theybeganwhisperingtooneanother。
Iamsuretheyweretalkingofme；andIcouldnothelpthinkingthathewaspersuadinghertospeaktome——doyouthinkhewas，MissWoodhouse？——forpresentlyshecameforward——camequiteuptome，andaskedmehowIdid，andseemedreadytoshakehands，ifIwould。Shedidnotdoanyofitinthesamewaythatsheused；
Icouldseeshewasaltered；but，however，sheseemedtotrytobeveryfriendly，andweshookhands，andstoodtalkingsometime；
butIknownomorewhatIsaid——Iwasinsuchatremble！——Iremembershesaidshewassorrywenevermetnow；whichIthoughtalmosttookind！Dear，MissWoodhouse，Iwasabsolutelymiserable！
Bythattime，itwasbeginningtoholdup，andIwasdeterminedthatnothingshouldstopmefromgettingaway——andthen——onlythink！——
Ifoundhewascominguptowardsmetoo——slowlyyouknow，andasifhedidnotquiteknowwhattodo；andsohecameandspoke，andIanswered——andIstoodforaminute，feelingdreadfully，youknow，onecan’ttellhow；andthenItookcourage，andsaiditdidnotrain，andImustgo；andsooffIset；andIhadnotgotthreeyardsfromthedoor，whenhecameafterme，onlytosay，ifIwasgoingtoHartfield，hethoughtIhadmuchbettergoroundbyMr。Cole’sstables，forIshouldfindthenearwayquitefloatedbythisrain。Oh！dear，Ithoughtitwouldhavebeenthedeathofme！
SoIsaid，Iwasverymuchobligedtohim：youknowIcouldnotdoless；andthenhewentbacktoElizabeth，andIcameroundbythestables——IbelieveIdid——butIhardlyknewwhereIwas，oranythingaboutit。Oh！MissWoodhouse，Iwouldratherdoneanythingthanhaveithappen：andyet，youknow，therewasasortofsatisfactioninseeinghimbehavesopleasantlyandsokindly。
AndElizabeth，too。Oh！MissWoodhouse，dotalktomeandmakemecomfortableagain。”
VerysincerelydidEmmawishtodoso；butitwasnotimmediatelyinherpower。Shewasobligedtostopandthink。Shewasnotthoroughlycomfortableherself。Theyoungman’sconduct，andhissister’s，seemedtheresultofrealfeeling，andshecouldnotbutpitythem。
AsHarrietdescribedit，therehadbeenaninterestingmixtureofwoundedaffectionandgenuinedelicacyintheirbehaviour。
Butshehadbelievedthemtobewell-meaning，worthypeoplebefore；
andwhatdifferencedidthismakeintheevilsoftheconnexion？
Itwasfollytobedisturbedbyit。Ofcourse，hemustbesorrytoloseher——theymustbeallsorry。Ambition，aswellaslove，hadprobablybeenmortified。TheymightallhavehopedtorisebyHarriet’sacquaintance：andbesides，whatwasthevalueofHarriet’sdescription？——Soeasilypleased——solittlediscerning；——
whatsignifiedherpraise？
Sheexertedherself，anddidtrytomakehercomfortable，byconsideringallthathadpassedasameretrifle，andquiteunworthyofbeingdwelton，“Itmightbedistressing，forthemoment。”saidshe；“butyouseemtohavebehavedextremelywell；anditisover——andmaynever——
cannever，asafirstmeeting，occuragain，andthereforeyouneednotthinkaboutit。”
Harrietsaid，“verytrue。”andshe“wouldnotthinkaboutit；“
butstillshetalkedofit——stillshecouldtalkofnothingelse；
andEmma，atlast，inordertoputtheMartinsoutofherhead，wasobligedtohurryonthenews，whichshehadmeanttogivewithsomuchtendercaution；hardlyknowingherselfwhethertorejoiceorbeangry，ashamedoronlyamused，atsuchastateofmindinpoorHarriet——suchaconclusionofMr。Elton’simportancewithher！
Mr。Elton’srights，however，graduallyrevived。Thoughshedidnotfeelthefirstintelligenceasshemighthavedonethedaybefore，oranhourbefore，itsinterestsoonincreased；andbeforetheirfirstconversationwasover，shehadtalkedherselfintoallthesensationsofcuriosity，wonderandregret，painandpleasure，astothisfortunateMissHawkins，whichcouldconducetoplacetheMartinsunderpropersubordinationinherfancy。
Emmalearnedtoberathergladthattherehadbeensuchameeting。
Ithadbeenserviceableindeadeningthefirstshock，withoutretaininganyinfluencetoalarm。AsHarrietnowlived，theMartinscouldnotgetather，withoutseekingher，wherehithertotheyhadwantedeitherthecourageorthecondescensiontoseekher；forsinceherrefusalofthebrother，thesistersneverhadbeenatMrs。Goddard’s；
andatwelvemonthmightpasswithouttheirbeingthrowntogetheragain，withanynecessity，orevenanypowerofspeech。
Chapter04CHAPTERIV
Humannatureissowelldisposedtowardsthosewhoareininterestingsituations，thatayoungperson，whoeithermarriesordies，issureofbeingkindlyspokenof。
AweekhadnotpassedsinceMissHawkins’snamewasfirstmentionedinHighbury，beforeshewas，bysomemeansorother，discoveredtohaveeveryrecommendationofpersonandmind；
tobehandsome，elegant，highlyaccomplished，andperfectlyamiable：
andwhenMr。Eltonhimselfarrivedtotriumphinhishappyprospects，andcirculatethefameofhermerits，therewasverylittlemoreforhimtodo，thantotellherChristianname，andsaywhosemusicsheprincipallyplayed。
Mr。Eltonreturned，averyhappyman。Hehadgoneawayrejectedandmortified——disappointedinaverysanguinehope，afteraseriesofwhatappearedtohimstrongencouragement；andnotonlylosingtherightlady，butfindinghimselfdebasedtothelevelofaverywrongone。Hehadgoneawaydeeplyoffended——hecamebackengagedtoanother——andtoanotherassuperior，ofcourse，tothefirst，asundersuchcircumstanceswhatisgainedalwaysistowhatislost。
Hecamebackgayandself-satisfied，eagerandbusy，caringnothingforMissWoodhouse，anddefyingMissSmith。
ThecharmingAugustaHawkins，inadditiontoalltheusualadvantagesofperfectbeautyandmerit，wasinpossessionofanindependentfortune，ofsomanythousandsaswouldalwaysbecalledten；apointofsomedignity，aswellassomeconvenience：thestorytoldwell；
hehadnotthrownhimselfaway——hehadgainedawomanof10，000l。
orthereabouts；andhehadgainedherwithsuchdelightfulrapidity——
thefirsthourofintroductionhadbeensoverysoonfollowedbydistinguishingnotice；thehistorywhichhehadtogiveMrs。Coleoftheriseandprogressoftheaffairwassoglorious——thestepssoquick，fromtheaccidentalrencontre，tothedinneratMr。Green’s，andthepartyatMrs。Brown’s——smilesandblushesrisinginimportance——
withconsciousnessandagitationrichlyscattered——theladyhadbeensoeasilyimpressed——sosweetlydisposed——hadinshort，touseamostintelligiblephrase，beensoveryreadytohavehim，thatvanityandprudencewereequallycontented。
Hehadcaughtbothsubstanceandshadow——bothfortuneandaffection，andwasjustthehappymanheoughttobe；talkingonlyofhimselfandhisownconcerns——expectingtobecongratulated——readytobelaughedat——and，withcordial，fearlesssmiles，nowaddressingalltheyoungladiesoftheplace，towhom，afewweeksago，hewouldhavebeenmorecautiouslygallant。
Theweddingwasnodistantevent，asthepartieshadonlythemselvestoplease，andnothingbutthenecessarypreparationstowaitfor；
andwhenhesetoutforBathagain，therewasageneralexpectation，whichacertainglanceofMrs。Cole’sdidnotseemtocontradict，thatwhenhenextenteredHighburyhewouldbringhisbride。
Duringhispresentshortstay，Emmahadbarelyseenhim；butjustenoughtofeelthatthefirstmeetingwasover，andtogivehertheimpressionofhisnotbeingimprovedbythemixtureofpiqueandpretension，nowspreadoverhisair。Shewas，infact，beginningverymuchtowonderthatshehadeverthoughthimpleasingatall；andhissightwassoinseparablyconnectedwithsomeverydisagreeablefeelings，that，exceptinamorallight，asapenance，alesson，asourceofprofitablehumiliationtoherownmind，shewouldhavebeenthankfultobeassuredofneverseeinghimagain。
Shewishedhimverywell；buthegaveherpain，andhiswelfaretwentymilesoffwouldadministermostsatisfaction。
ThepainofhiscontinuedresidenceinHighbury，however，mustcertainlybelessenedbyhismarriage。Manyvainsolicitudeswouldbeprevented——
manyawkwardnessessmoothedbyit。AMrs。Eltonwouldbeanexcuseforanychangeofintercourse；formerintimacymightsinkwithoutremark。
Itwouldbealmostbeginningtheirlifeofcivilityagain。
Ofthelady，individually，Emmathoughtverylittle。ShewasgoodenoughforMr。Elton，nodoubt；accomplishedenoughforHighbury——
handsomeenough——tolookplain，probably，byHarriet’sside。
Astoconnexion，thereEmmawasperfectlyeasy；persuaded，thatafterallhisownvauntedclaimsanddisdainofHarriet，hehaddonenothing。Onthatarticle，truthseemedattainable。
Whatshewas，mustbeuncertain；butwhoshewas，mightbefoundout；
andsettingasidethe10，000l。，itdidnotappearthatshewasatallHarriet’ssuperior。Shebroughtnoname，noblood，noalliance。
MissHawkinswastheyoungestofthetwodaughtersofaBristol——
merchant，ofcourse，hemustbecalled；but，asthewholeoftheprofitsofhismercantilelifeappearedsoverymoderate，itwasnotunfairtoguessthedignityofhislineoftradehadbeenverymoderatealso。PartofeverywintershehadbeenusedtospendinBath；
butBristolwasherhome，theveryheartofBristol；forthoughthefatherandmotherhaddiedsomeyearsago，anuncleremained——
inthelawline——nothingmoredistinctlyhonourablewashazardedofhim，thanthathewasinthelawline；andwithhimthedaughterhadlived。Emmaguessedhimtobethedrudgeofsomeattorney，andtoostupidtorise。Andallthegrandeuroftheconnexionseemeddependentontheeldersister，whowasverywellmarried，toagentlemaninagreatway，nearBristol，whokepttwocarriages！
Thatwasthewind-upofthehistory；thatwasthegloryofMissHawkins。
CouldshebuthavegivenHarrietherfeelingsaboutitall！
Shehadtalkedherintolove；but，alas！shewasnotsoeasilytobetalkedoutofit。ThecharmofanobjecttooccupythemanyvacanciesofHarriet’smindwasnottobetalkedaway。Hemightbesupersededbyanother；hecertainlywouldindeed；nothingcouldbeclearer；
evenaRobertMartinwouldhavebeensufficient；butnothingelse，shefeared，wouldcureher。Harrietwasoneofthose，who，havingoncebegun，wouldbealwaysinlove。Andnow，poorgirl！
shewasconsiderablyworsefromthisreappearanceofMr。Elton。
Shewasalwayshavingaglimpseofhimsomewhereorother。Emmasawhimonlyonce；buttwoorthreetimeseverydayHarrietwassurejusttomeetwithhim，orjusttomisshim，justtohearhisvoice，orseehisshoulder，justtohavesomethingoccurtopreservehiminherfancy，inallthefavouringwarmthofsurprizeandconjecture。
Shewas，moreover，perpetuallyhearingabouthim；for，exceptingwhenatHartfield，shewasalwaysamongthosewhosawnofaultinMr。Elton，andfoundnothingsointerestingasthediscussionofhisconcerns；
andeveryreport，therefore，everyguess——allthathadalreadyoccurred，allthatmightoccurinthearrangementofhisaffairs，comprehendingincome，servants，andfurniture，wascontinuallyinagitationaroundher。Herregardwasreceivingstrengthbyinvariablepraiseofhim，andherregretskeptalive，andfeelingsirritatedbyceaselessrepetitionsofMissHawkins’shappiness，andcontinualobservationof，howmuchheseemedattached！——
hisairashewalkedbythehouse——theverysittingofhishat，beingallinproofofhowmuchhewasinlove！
Haditbeenallowableentertainment，hadtherebeennopaintoherfriend，orreproachtoherself，inthewaveringsofHarriet’smind，Emmawouldhavebeenamusedbyitsvariations。
SometimesMr。Eltonpredominated，sometimestheMartins；andeachwasoccasionallyusefulasachecktotheother。Mr。Elton’sengagementhadbeenthecureoftheagitationofmeetingMr。Martin。
TheunhappinessproducedbytheknowledgeofthatengagementhadbeenalittleputasidebyElizabethMartin’scallingatMrs。Goddard’safewdaysafterwards。Harriethadnotbeenathome；butanotehadbeenpreparedandleftforher，writtenintheverystyletotouch；
asmallmixtureofreproach，withagreatdealofkindness；
andtillMr。Eltonhimselfappeared，shehadbeenmuchoccupiedbyit，continuallyponderingoverwhatcouldbedoneinreturn，andwishingtodomorethanshedaredtoconfess。ButMr。Elton，inperson，haddrivenawayallsuchcares。Whilehestaid，theMartinswereforgotten；andontheverymorningofhissettingoffforBathagain，Emma，todissipatesomeofthedistressitoccasioned，judgeditbestforhertoreturnElizabethMartin’svisit。
Howthatvisitwastobeacknowledged——whatwouldbenecessary——
andwhatmightbesafest，hadbeenapointofsomedoubtfulconsideration。Absoluteneglectofthemotherandsisters，wheninvitedtocome，wouldbeingratitude。Itmustnotbe：
andyetthedangerofarenewaloftheacquaintance！——
Aftermuchthinking，shecoulddetermineonnothingbetter，thanHarriet’sreturningthevisit；butinawaythat，iftheyhadunderstanding，shouldconvincethemthatitwastobeonlyaformalacquaintance。
Shemeanttotakeherinthecarriage，leaveherattheAbbeyMill，whileshedrovealittlefarther，andcallforheragainsosoon，astoallownotimeforinsidiousapplicationsordangerousrecurrencestothepast，andgivethemostdecidedproofofwhatdegreeofintimacywaschosenforthefuture。
Shecouldthinkofnothingbetter：andthoughtherewassomethinginitwhichherownheartcouldnotapprove——somethingofingratitude，merelyglossedover——itmustbedone，orwhatwouldbecomeofHarriet？
Chapter05CHAPTERV
SmallhearthadHarrietforvisiting。OnlyhalfanhourbeforeherfriendcalledforheratMrs。Goddard’s，herevilstarshadledhertotheveryspotwhere，atthatmoment，atrunk，directedtoTheRev。PhilipElton，White-Hart，Bath，wastobeseenundertheoperationofbeingliftedintothebutcher’scart，whichwastoconveyittowherethecoachespast；andeverythinginthisworld，exceptingthattrunkandthedirection，wasconsequentlyablank。
Shewent，however；andwhentheyreachedthefarm，andshewastobeputdown，attheendofthebroad，neatgravelwalk，whichledbetweenespalierapple-treestothefrontdoor，thesightofeverythingwhichhadgivenhersomuchpleasuretheautumnbefore，wasbeginningtorevivealittlelocalagitation；andwhentheyparted，Emmaobservedhertobelookingaroundwithasortoffearfulcuriosity，whichdeterminedhernottoallowthevisittoexceedtheproposedquarterofanhour。Shewentonherself，togivethatportionoftimetoanoldservantwhowasmarried，andsettledinDonwell。
Thequarterofanhourbroughtherpunctuallytothewhitegateagain；
andMissSmithreceivinghersummons，waswithherwithoutdelay，andunattendedbyanyalarmingyoungman。Shecamesolitarilydownthegravelwalk——aMissMartinjustappearingatthedoor，andpartingwithherseeminglywithceremoniouscivility。
Harrietcouldnotverysoongiveanintelligibleaccount。
Shewasfeelingtoomuch；butatlastEmmacollectedfromherenoughtounderstandthesortofmeeting，andthesortofpainitwascreating。ShehadseenonlyMrs。Martinandthetwogirls。
Theyhadreceivedherdoubtingly，ifnotcoolly；andnothingbeyondthemerestcommonplacehadbeentalkedalmostallthetime——
tilljustatlast，whenMrs。Martin’ssaying，allofasudden，thatshethoughtMissSmithwasgrown，hadbroughtonamoreinterestingsubject，andawarmermanner。InthatveryroomshehadbeenmeasuredlastSeptember，withhertwofriends。
Therewerethepencilledmarksandmemorandumsonthewainscotbythewindow。Hehaddoneit。Theyallseemedtoremembertheday，thehour，theparty，theoccasion——tofeelthesameconsciousness，thesameregrets——tobereadytoreturntothesamegoodunderstanding；
andtheywerejustgrowingagainlikethemselves，Harriet，asEmmamustsuspect，asreadyasthebestofthemtobecordialandhappy，
whenthecarriagereappeared，andallwasover。Thestyleofthevisit，andtheshortnessofit，werethenfelttobedecisive。
Fourteenminutestobegiventothosewithwhomshehadthankfullypassedsixweeksnotsixmonthsago！——Emmacouldnotbutpictureitall，andfeelhowjustlytheymightresent，hownaturallyHarrietmustsuffer。Itwasabadbusiness。Shewouldhavegivenagreatdeal，orenduredagreatdeal，tohavehadtheMartinsinahigherrankoflife。Theyweresodeserving，thatalittlehighershouldhavebeenenough：butasitwas，howcouldshehavedoneotherwise？——Impossible！——Shecouldnotrepent。Theymustbeseparated；buttherewasagreatdealofpainintheprocess——
somuchtoherselfatthistime，thatshesoonfeltthenecessityofalittleconsolation，andresolvedongoinghomebywayofRandallstoprocureit。HermindwasquitesickofMr。EltonandtheMartins。
TherefreshmentofRandallswasabsolutelynecessary。
Itwasagoodscheme；butondrivingtothedoortheyheardthatneither“masternormistresswasathome；“theyhadbothbeenoutsometime；themanbelievedtheyweregonetoHartfield。
“Thisistoobad。”criedEmma，astheyturnedaway。“Andnowweshalljustmissthem；tooprovoking！——IdonotknowwhenIhavebeensodisappointed。”Andsheleanedbackinthecorner，toindulgehermurmurs，ortoreasonthemaway；probablyalittleofboth——
suchbeingthecommonestprocessofanotill-disposedmind。
Presentlythecarriagestopt；shelookedup；itwasstoptbyMr。andMrs。Weston，whowerestandingtospeaktoher。
Therewasinstantpleasureinthesightofthem，andstillgreaterpleasurewasconveyedinsound——forMr。Westonimmediatelyaccostedherwith，“Howd’yedo？——howd’yedo？——Wehavebeensittingwithyourfather——
gladtoseehimsowell。Frankcomesto-morrow——Ihadaletterthismorning——weseehimto-morrowbydinner-timetoacertainty——
heisatOxfordto-day，andhecomesforawholefortnight；Iknewitwouldbeso。IfhehadcomeatChristmashecouldnothavestaidthreedays；
IwasalwaysgladhedidnotcomeatChristmas；nowwearegoingtohavejusttherightweatherforhim，fine，dry，settledweather。
Weshallenjoyhimcompletely；everythinghasturnedoutexactlyaswecouldwish。”
Therewasnoresistingsuchnews，nopossibilityofavoidingtheinfluenceofsuchahappyfaceasMr。Weston’s，confirmedasitallwasbythewordsandthecountenanceofhiswife，fewerandquieter，butnotlesstothepurpose。ToknowthatshethoughthiscomingcertainwasenoughtomakeEmmaconsideritso，andsincerelydidsherejoiceintheirjoy。Itwasamostdelightfulreanimationofexhaustedspirits。Theworn-outpastwassunkinthefreshnessofwhatwascoming；andintherapidityofhalfamoment’sthought，shehopedMr。Eltonwouldnowbetalkedofnomore。
Mr。WestongaveherthehistoryoftheengagementsatEnscombe，whichallowedhissontoanswerforhavinganentirefortnightathiscommand，aswellastherouteandthemethodofhisjourney；
andshelistened，andsmiled，andcongratulated。
“IshallsoonbringhimovertoHartfield。”saidhe，attheconclusion。
Emmacouldimagineshesawatouchofthearmatthisspeech，fromhiswife。
“Wehadbettermoveon，Mr。Weston。”saidshe，“wearedetainingthegirls。”
“Well，well，Iamready；“——andturningagaintoEmma，“butyoumustnotbeexpectingsuchaveryfineyoungman；youhaveonlyhadmyaccountyouknow；Idaresayheisreallynothingextraordinary：“——
thoughhisownsparklingeyesatthemomentwerespeakingaverydifferentconviction。
Emmacouldlookperfectlyunconsciousandinnocent，andanswerinamannerthatappropriatednothing。
“Thinkofmeto-morrow，mydearEmma，aboutfouro’clock。”
wasMrs。Weston’spartinginjunction；spokenwithsomeanxiety，andmeantonlyforher。
“Fouro’clock！——dependuponithewillbeherebythree。”wasMr。Weston’squickamendment；andsoendedamostsatisfactorymeeting。
Emma’sspiritsweremountedquiteuptohappiness；everythingworeadifferentair；Jamesandhishorsesseemednothalfsosluggishasbefore。Whenshelookedatthehedges，shethoughttheelderatleastmustsoonbecomingout；andwhensheturnedroundtoHarriet，shesawsomethinglikealookofspring，atendersmileeventhere。
“WillMr。FrankChurchillpassthroughBathaswellasOxford？“——
wasaquestion，however，whichdidnotaugurmuch。
Butneithergeographynortranquillitycouldcomeallatonce，andEmmawasnowinahumourtoresolvethattheyshouldbothcomeintime。
Themorningoftheinterestingdayarrived，andMrs。Weston’sfaithfulpupildidnotforgeteitheratten，oreleven，ortwelveo’clock，thatshewastothinkofheratfour。
“Mydear，dearanxiousfriend。”——saidshe，inmentalsoliloquy，whilewalkingdownstairsfromherownroom，“alwaysovercarefulforeverybody’scomfortbutyourown；Iseeyounowinallyourlittlefidgets，goingagainandagainintohisroom，tobesurethatallisright。”Theclockstrucktwelveasshepassedthroughthehall。“’Tistwelve；Ishallnotforgettothinkofyoufourhourshence；andbythistimeto-morrow，perhaps，oralittlelater，Imaybethinkingofthepossibilityoftheirallcallinghere。
Iamsuretheywillbringhimsoon。”
Sheopenedtheparlourdoor，andsawtwogentlemensittingwithherfather——Mr。Westonandhisson。Theyhadbeenarrivedonlyafewminutes，andMr。WestonhadscarcelyfinishedhisexplanationofFrank’sbeingadaybeforehistime，andherfatherwasyetinthemidstofhisverycivilwelcomeandcongratulations，whensheappeared，tohavehershareofsurprize，introduction，andpleasure。
TheFrankChurchillsolongtalkedof，sohighininterest，wasactuallybeforeher——hewaspresentedtoher，andshedidnotthinktoomuchhadbeensaidinhispraise；hewasaverygoodlookingyoungman；height，air，address，allwereunexceptionable，andhiscountenancehadagreatdealofthespiritandlivelinessofhisfather’s；helookedquickandsensible。Shefeltimmediatelythatsheshouldlikehim；andtherewasawell-bredeaseofmanner，andareadinesstotalk，whichconvincedherthathecameintendingtobeacquaintedwithher，andthatacquaintedtheysoonmustbe。
HehadreachedRandallstheeveningbefore。Shewaspleasedwiththeeagernesstoarrivewhichhadmadehimalterhisplan，andtravelearlier，later，andquicker，thathemightgainhalfaday。
“Itoldyouyesterday。”criedMr。Westonwithexultation，“Itoldyouallthathewouldbeherebeforethetimenamed。IrememberedwhatIusedtodomyself。Onecannotcreepuponajourney；
onecannothelpgettingonfasterthanonehasplanned；andthepleasureofcominginuponone’sfriendsbeforethelook-outbegins，isworthagreatdealmorethananylittleexertionitneeds。”
“Itisagreatpleasurewhereonecanindulgeinit。”saidtheyoungman，“thoughtherearenotmanyhousesthatIshouldpresumeonsofar；
butincominghomeIfeltImightdoanything。”
Thewordhomemadehisfatherlookonhimwithfreshcomplacency。
Emmawasdirectlysurethatheknewhowtomakehimselfagreeable；
theconvictionwasstrengthenedbywhatfollowed。HewasverymuchpleasedwithRandalls，thoughtitamostadmirablyarrangedhouse，wouldhardlyallowiteventobeverysmall，admiredthesituation，thewalktoHighbury，Highburyitself，Hartfieldstillmore，andprofessedhimselftohavealwaysfeltthesortofinterestinthecountrywhichnonebutone’sowncountrygives，andthegreatestcuriositytovisitit。Thatheshouldneverhavebeenabletoindulgesoamiableafeelingbefore，passedsuspiciouslythroughEmma’sbrain；butstill，ifitwereafalsehood，itwasapleasantone，andpleasantlyhandled。Hismannerhadnoairofstudyorexaggeration。Hedidreallylookandspeakasifinastateofnocommonenjoyment。
Theirsubjectsingeneralweresuchasbelongtoanopeningacquaintance。
Onhissideweretheinquiries，——“Wassheahorsewoman？——Pleasantrides？——
Pleasantwalks？——Hadtheyalargeneighbourhood？——Highbury，perhaps，affordedsocietyenough？——Therewereseveralveryprettyhousesinandaboutit——Balls——hadtheyballs？——Wasitamusicalsociety？“
Butwhensatisfiedonallthesepoints，andtheiracquaintanceproportionablyadvanced，hecontrivedtofindanopportunity，whiletheirtwofatherswereengagedwitheachother，ofintroducinghismother-in-law，andspeakingofherwithsomuchhandsomepraise，somuchwarmadmiration，somuchgratitudeforthehappinessshesecuredtohisfather，andherverykindreceptionofhimself，aswasanadditionalproofofhisknowinghowtoplease——
andofhiscertainlythinkingitworthwhiletotrytopleaseher。
HedidnotadvanceawordofpraisebeyondwhatsheknewtobethoroughlydeservedbyMrs。Weston；but，undoubtedlyhecouldknowverylittleofthematter。Heunderstoodwhatwouldbewelcome；
hecouldbesureoflittleelse。“Hisfather’smarriage。”hesaid，“hadbeenthewisestmeasure，everyfriendmustrejoiceinit；
andthefamilyfromwhomhehadreceivedsuchablessingmustbeeverconsideredashavingconferredthehighestobligationonhim。”
HegotasnearashecouldtothankingherforMissTaylor’smerits，withoutseemingquitetoforgetthatinthecommoncourseofthingsitwastoberathersupposedthatMissTaylorhadformedMissWoodhouse’scharacter，thanMissWoodhouseMissTaylor’s。Andatlast，asifresolvedtoqualifyhisopinioncompletelyfortravellingroundtoitsobject，hewounditallupwithastonishmentattheyouthandbeautyofherperson。
“Elegant，agreeablemanners，Iwaspreparedfor。”saidhe；
“butIconfessthat，consideringeverything，Ihadnotexpectedmorethanaverytolerablywell-lookingwomanofacertainage；
IdidnotknowthatIwastofindaprettyyoungwomaninMrs。Weston。”
“YoucannotseetoomuchperfectioninMrs。Westonformyfeelings。”
saidEmma；“wereyoutoguesshertobeeighteen，Ishouldlistenwithpleasure；butshewouldbereadytoquarrelwithyouforusingsuchwords。Don’tletherimaginethatyouhavespokenofherasaprettyyoungwoman。”
“IhopeIshouldknowbetter。”hereplied；“no，dependuponit，withagallantbow，thatinaddressingMrs。WestonIshouldunderstandwhomImightpraisewithoutanydangerofbeingthoughtextravagantinmyterms。”
Emmawonderedwhetherthesamesuspicionofwhatmightbeexpectedfromtheirknowingeachother，whichhadtakenstrongpossessionofhermind，hadevercrossedhis；andwhetherhiscomplimentsweretobeconsideredasmarksofacquiescence，orproofsofdefiance。
Shemustseemoreofhimtounderstandhisways；atpresentsheonlyfelttheywereagreeable。
ShehadnodoubtofwhatMr。Westonwasoftenthinkingabout。
Hisquickeyeshedetectedagainandagainglancingtowardsthemwithahappyexpression；andeven，whenhemighthavedeterminednottolook，shewasconfidentthathewasoftenlistening。
Herownfather’sperfectexemptionfromanythoughtofthekind，theentiredeficiencyinhimofallsuchsortofpenetrationorsuspicion，wasamostcomfortablecircumstance。Happilyhewasnotfartherfromapprovingmatrimonythanfromforeseeingit——
Thoughalwaysobjectingtoeverymarriagethatwasarranged，heneversufferedbeforehandfromtheapprehensionofany；
itseemedasifhecouldnotthinksoillofanytwopersons’
understandingastosupposetheymeanttomarrytillitwereprovedagainstthem。Sheblessedthefavouringblindness。
Hecouldnow，withoutthedrawbackofasingleunpleasantsurmise，withoutaglanceforwardatanypossibletreacheryinhisguest，givewaytoallhisnaturalkind-heartedcivilityinsolicitousinquiriesafterMr。FrankChurchill’saccommodationonhisjourney，throughthesadevilsofsleepingtwonightsontheroad，andexpressverygenuineunmixedanxietytoknowthathehadcertainlyescapedcatchingcold——which，however，hecouldnotallowhimtofeelquiteassuredofhimselftillafteranothernight。
Areasonablevisitpaid，Mr。Westonbegantomove——“Hemustbegoing。
HehadbusinessattheCrownabouthishay，andagreatmanyerrandsforMrs。WestonatFord’s，butheneednothurryanybodyelse。”
Hisson，toowellbredtohearthehint，roseimmediatelyalso，saying，“Asyouaregoingfartheronbusiness，sir，Iwilltaketheopportunityofpayingavisit，whichmustbepaidsomedayorother，andthereforemayaswellbepaidnow。Ihavethehonourofbeingacquaintedwithaneighbourofyours，turningtoEmma，aladyresidinginornearHighbury；afamilyofthenameofFairfax。
Ishallhavenodifficulty，Isuppose，infindingthehouse；
thoughFairfax，Ibelieve，isnotthepropername——IshouldrathersayBarnes，orBates。Doyouknowanyfamilyofthatname？“
“Tobesurewedo。”criedhisfather；“Mrs。Bates——wepassedherhouse——
IsawMissBatesatthewindow。True，true，youareacquaintedwithMissFairfax；IrememberyouknewheratWeymouth，andafinegirlsheis。Calluponher，byallmeans。”
“Thereisnonecessityformycallingthismorning。”saidtheyoungman；“anotherdaywoulddoaswell；buttherewasthatdegreeofacquaintanceatWeymouthwhich——“
“Oh！goto-day，goto-day。Donotdeferit。Whatisrighttobedonecannotbedonetoosoon。And，besides，Imustgiveyouahint，Frank；
anywantofattentiontoherhereshouldbecarefullyavoided。
YousawherwiththeCampbells，whenshewastheequalofeverybodyshemixedwith，butheresheiswithapooroldgrandmother，whohasbarelyenoughtoliveon。Ifyoudonotcallearlyitwillbeaslight。”
Thesonlookedconvinced。
“Ihaveheardherspeakoftheacquaintance。”saidEmma；“sheisaveryelegantyoungwoman。”
Heagreedtoit，butwithsoquieta“Yes。”asinclinedheralmosttodoubthisrealconcurrence；andyettheremustbeaverydistinctsortofeleganceforthefashionableworld，ifJaneFairfaxcouldbethoughtonlyordinarilygiftedwithit。
“Ifyouwereneverparticularlystruckbyhermannersbefore。”
saidshe，“Ithinkyouwillto-day。Youwillseehertoadvantage；
seeherandhearher——no，Iamafraidyouwillnothearheratall，forshehasanauntwhoneverholdshertongue。”
“YouareacquaintedwithMissJaneFairfax，sir，areyou？“
saidMr。Woodhouse，alwaysthelasttomakehiswayinconversation；
“thengivemeleavetoassureyouthatyouwillfindheraveryagreeableyounglady。Sheisstayinghereonavisittohergrandmamaandaunt，veryworthypeople；Ihaveknownthemallmylife。
Theywillbeextremelygladtoseeyou，Iamsure；andoneofmyservantsshallgowithyoutoshewyoutheway。”
“Mydearsir，uponnoaccountintheworld；myfathercandirectme。”
“Butyourfatherisnotgoingsofar；heisonlygoingtotheCrown，quiteontheothersideofthestreet，andthereareagreatmanyhouses；
youmightbeverymuchataloss，anditisaverydirtywalk，unlessyoukeeponthefootpath；butmycoachmancantellyouwhereyouhadbestcrossthestreet。”
Mr。FrankChurchillstilldeclinedit，lookingasseriousashecould，andhisfathergavehisheartysupportbycallingout，“Mygoodfriend，thisisquiteunnecessary；Frankknowsapuddleofwaterwhenheseesit，andastoMrs。Bates’s，hemaygettherefromtheCrowninahop，step，andjump。”
Theywerepermittedtogoalone；andwithacordialnodfromone，andagracefulbowfromtheother，thetwogentlementookleave。
Emmaremainedverywellpleasedwiththisbeginningoftheacquaintance，andcouldnowengagetothinkofthemallatRandallsanyhouroftheday，withfullconfidenceintheircomfort。