Chapter06CHAPTERVI
ThenextmorningbroughtMr。FrankChurchillagain。HecamewithMrs。Weston，towhomandtoHighburyheseemedtotakeverycordially。
Hehadbeensittingwithher，itappeared，mostcompanionablyathome，tillherusualhourofexercise；andonbeingdesiredtochusetheirwalk，immediatelyfixedonHighbury——“Hedidnotdoubttherebeingverypleasantwalksineverydirection，butiflefttohim，heshouldalwayschusethesame。Highbury，thatairy，cheerful，happy-lookingHighbury，wouldbehisconstantattraction。”——
Highbury，withMrs。Weston，stoodforHartfield；andshetrustedtoitsbearingthesameconstructionwithhim。Theywalkedthitherdirectly。
Emmahadhardlyexpectedthem：forMr。Weston，whohadcalledinforhalfaminute，inordertohearthathissonwasveryhandsome，knewnothingoftheirplans；anditwasanagreeablesurprizetoher，therefore，toperceivethemwalkinguptothehousetogether，arminarm。Shewaswantingtoseehimagain，andespeciallytoseehimincompanywithMrs。Weston，uponhisbehaviourtowhomheropinionofhimwastodepend。Ifheweredeficientthere，nothingshouldmakeamendsforit。Butonseeingthemtogether，shebecameperfectlysatisfied。Itwasnotmerelyinfinewordsorhyperbolicalcomplimentthathepaidhisduty；nothingcouldbemoreproperorpleasingthanhiswholemannertoher——nothingcouldmoreagreeablydenotehiswishofconsideringherasafriendandsecuringheraffection。AndtherewastimeenoughforEmmatoformareasonablejudgment，astheirvisitincludedalltherestofthemorning。
Theywereallthreewalkingabouttogetherforanhourortwo——
firstroundtheshrubberiesofHartfield，andafterwardsinHighbury。
Hewasdelightedwitheverything；admiredHartfieldsufficientlyforMr。Woodhouse’sear；andwhentheirgoingfartherwasresolvedon，confessedhiswishtobemadeacquaintedwiththewholevillage，andfoundmatterofcommendationandinterestmuchoftenerthanEmmacouldhavesupposed。
Someoftheobjectsofhiscuriosityspokeveryamiablefeelings。
Hebeggedtobeshewnthehousewhichhisfatherhadlivedinsolong，andwhichhadbeenthehomeofhisfather’sfather；andonrecollectingthatanoldwomanwhohadnursedhimwasstillliving，walkedinquestofhercottagefromoneendofthestreettotheother；andthoughinsomepointsofpursuitorobservationtherewasnopositivemerit，theyshewed，altogether，agood-willtowardsHighburyingeneral，whichmustbeverylikeamerittothosehewaswith。
Emmawatchedanddecided，thatwithsuchfeelingsaswerenowshewn，itcouldnotbefairlysupposedthathehadbeenevervoluntarilyabsentinghimself；thathehadnotbeenactingapart，ormakingaparadeofinsincereprofessions；andthatMr。Knightleycertainlyhadnotdonehimjustice。
TheirfirstpausewasattheCrownInn，aninconsiderablehouse，thoughtheprincipaloneofthesort，whereacoupleofpairofpost-horseswerekept，morefortheconvenienceoftheneighbourhoodthanfromanyrunontheroad；andhiscompanionshadnotexpectedtobedetainedbyanyinterestexcitedthere；butinpassingittheygavethehistoryofthelargeroomvisiblyadded；ithadbeenbuiltmanyyearsagoforaball-room，andwhiletheneighbourhoodhadbeeninaparticularlypopulous，dancingstate，hadbeenoccasionallyusedassuch；——butsuchbrilliantdayshadlongpassedaway，andnowthehighestpurposeforwhichitwaseverwantedwastoaccommodateawhistclubestablishedamongthegentlemenandhalf-gentlemenoftheplace。
Hewasimmediatelyinterested。Itscharacterasaball-roomcaughthim；
andinsteadofpassingon，hestoptforseveralminutesatthetwosuperiorsashedwindowswhichwereopen，tolookinandcontemplateitscapabilities，andlamentthatitsoriginalpurposeshouldhaveceased。Hesawnofaultintheroom，hewouldacknowledgenonewhichtheysuggested。No，itwaslongenough，broadenough，handsomeenough。Itwouldholdtheverynumberforcomfort。
Theyoughttohaveballsthereatleasteveryfortnightthroughthewinter。WhyhadnotMissWoodhouserevivedtheformergoodolddaysoftheroom？——ShewhocoulddoanythinginHighbury！
Thewantofproperfamiliesintheplace，andtheconvictionthatnonebeyondtheplaceanditsimmediateenvironscouldbetemptedtoattend，werementioned；buthewasnotsatisfied。
Hecouldnotbepersuadedthatsomanygood-lookinghousesashesawaroundhim，couldnotfurnishnumbersenoughforsuchameeting；
andevenwhenparticularsweregivenandfamiliesdescribed，hewasstillunwillingtoadmitthattheinconvenienceofsuchamixturewouldbeanything，orthattherewouldbethesmallestdifficultyineverybody’sreturningintotheirproperplacethenextmorning。
Hearguedlikeayoungmanverymuchbentondancing；andEmmawasrathersurprizedtoseetheconstitutionoftheWestonprevailsodecidedlyagainstthehabitsoftheChurchills。Heseemedtohaveallthelifeandspirit，cheerfulfeelings，andsocialinclinationsofhisfather，andnothingoftheprideorreserveofEnscombe。
Ofpride，indeed，therewas，perhaps，scarcelyenough；hisindifferencetoaconfusionofrank，borderedtoomuchonineleganceofmind。
Hecouldbenojudge，however，oftheevilhewasholdingcheap。
Itwasbutaneffusionoflivelyspirits。
AtlasthewaspersuadedtomoveonfromthefrontoftheCrown；
andbeingnowalmostfacingthehousewheretheBateseslodged，Emmarecollectedhisintendedvisitthedaybefore，andaskedhimifhehadpaidit。
“Yes，oh！yes“——hereplied；“Iwasjustgoingtomentionit。
Averysuccessfulvisit：——Isawallthethreeladies；andfeltverymuchobligedtoyouforyourpreparatoryhint。Ifthetalkingaunthadtakenmequitebysurprize，itmusthavebeenthedeathofme。
Asitwas，Iwasonlybetrayedintopayingamostunreasonablevisit。
Tenminuteswouldhavebeenallthatwasnecessary，perhapsallthatwasproper；andIhadtoldmyfatherIshouldcertainlybeathomebeforehim——buttherewasnogettingaway，nopause；and，tomyutterastonishment，Ifound，whenhefindingmenowhereelse
joinedmethereatlast，thatIhadbeenactuallysittingwiththemverynearlythree-quartersofanhour。Thegoodladyhadnotgivenmethepossibilityofescapebefore。”
“AndhowdidyouthinkMissFairfaxlooking？“
“Ill，veryill——thatis，ifayoungladycaneverbeallowedtolookill。
Buttheexpressionishardlyadmissible，Mrs。Weston，isit？
Ladiescanneverlookill。And，seriously，MissFairfaxisnaturallysopale，asalmostalwaystogivetheappearanceofillhealth——
Amostdeplorablewantofcomplexion。”
Emmawouldnotagreetothis，andbeganawarmdefenceofMissFairfax’scomplexion。“Itwascertainlyneverbrilliant，butshewouldnotallowittohaveasicklyhueingeneral；andtherewasasoftnessanddelicacyinherskinwhichgavepeculiarelegancetothecharacterofherface。”Helistenedwithallduedeference；
acknowledgedthathehadheardmanypeoplesaythesame——butyethemustconfess，thattohimnothingcouldmakeamendsforthewantofthefineglowofhealth。Wherefeatureswereindifferent，afinecomplexiongavebeautytothemall；andwheretheyweregood，theeffectwas——fortunatelyheneednotattempttodescribewhattheeffectwas。
“Well。”saidEmma，“thereisnodisputingabouttaste——Atleastyouadmireherexcepthercomplexion。”
Heshookhisheadandlaughed——“IcannotseparateMissFairfaxandhercomplexion。”
“DidyouseeheroftenatWeymouth？Wereyouofteninthesamesociety？“
AtthismomenttheywereapproachingFord’s，andhehastilyexclaimed，“Ha！thismustbetheveryshopthateverybodyattendseverydayoftheirlives，asmyfatherinformsme。HecomestoHighburyhimself，hesays，sixdaysoutoftheseven，andhasalwaysbusinessatFord’s。
Ifitbenotinconvenienttoyou，prayletusgoin，thatImayprovemyselftobelongtotheplace，tobeatruecitizenofHighbury。
ImustbuysomethingatFord’s。Itwillbetakingoutmyfreedom——
Idaresaytheysellgloves。”
“Oh！yes，glovesandeverything。Idoadmireyourpatriotism。
YouwillbeadoredinHighbury。Youwereverypopularbeforeyoucame，becauseyouwereMr。Weston’sson——butlayouthalfaguineaatFord’s，andyourpopularitywillstanduponyourownvirtues。”
Theywentin；andwhilethesleek，well-tiedparcelsof“Men’sBeavers“
and“YorkTan“werebringingdownanddisplayingonthecounter，hesaid——“ButIbegyourpardon，MissWoodhouse，youwerespeakingtome，youweresayingsomethingattheverymomentofthisburstofmyamorpatriae。Donotletmeloseit。Iassureyoutheutmoststretchofpublicfamewouldnotmakemeamendsforthelossofanyhappinessinprivatelife。”
“Imerelyasked，whetheryouhadknownmuchofMissFairfaxandherpartyatWeymouth。”
“AndnowthatIunderstandyourquestion，Imustpronounceittobeaveryunfairone。Itisalwaysthelady’srighttodecideonthedegreeofacquaintance。MissFairfaxmustalreadyhavegivenheraccount——
Ishallnotcommitmyselfbyclaimingmorethanshemaychusetoallow。”
“Uponmyword！youanswerasdiscreetlyasshecoulddoherself。
Butheraccountofeverythingleavessomuchtobeguessed，sheissoveryreserved，soveryunwillingtogivetheleastinformationaboutanybody，thatIreallythinkyoumaysaywhatyoulikeofyouracquaintancewithher。”
“MayI，indeed？——ThenIwillspeakthetruth，andnothingsuitsmesowell。ImetherfrequentlyatWeymouth。IhadknowntheCampbellsalittleintown；andatWeymouthwewereverymuchinthesameset。
ColonelCampbellisaveryagreeableman，andMrs。Campbellafriendly，warm-heartedwoman。Ilikethemall。”
“YouknowMissFairfax’ssituationinlife，Iconclude；whatsheisdestinedtobe？“
“Yes——ratherhesitatingly——IbelieveIdo。”
“Yougetupondelicatesubjects，Emma。”saidMrs。Westonsmiling；
“rememberthatIamhere——Mr。FrankChurchillhardlyknowswhattosaywhenyouspeakofMissFairfax’ssituationinlife。
Iwillmovealittlefartheroff。”
“Icertainlydoforgettothinkofher。”saidEmma，“ashavingeverbeenanythingbutmyfriendandmydearestfriend。”
Helookedasifhefullyunderstoodandhonouredsuchasentiment。
Whenthegloveswerebought，andtheyhadquittedtheshopagain，“Didyoueverheartheyoungladywewerespeakingof，play？“
saidFrankChurchill。
“Everhearher！“repeatedEmma。“YouforgethowmuchshebelongstoHighbury。Ihaveheardhereveryyearofourlivessincewebothbegan。Sheplayscharmingly。”
“Youthinkso，doyou？——Iwantedtheopinionofsomeonewhocouldreallyjudge。Sheappearedtometoplaywell，thatis，withconsiderabletaste，butIknownothingofthemattermyself——
Iamexcessivelyfondofmusic，butwithoutthesmallestskillorrightofjudgingofanybody’sperformance——Ihavebeenusedtohearher’sadmired；andIrememberoneproofofherbeingthoughttoplaywell：——aman，averymusicalman，andinlovewithanotherwoman——engagedtoher——onthepointofmarriage——
wouldyetneveraskthatotherwomantositdowntotheinstrument，iftheladyinquestioncouldsitdowninstead——neverseemedtoliketohearoneifhecouldheartheother。That，Ithought，inamanofknownmusicaltalent，wassomeproof。”
“Proofindeed！“saidEmma，highlyamused——“Mr。Dixonisverymusical，ishe？Weshallknowmoreaboutthemall，inhalfanhour，fromyou，thanMissFairfaxwouldhavevouchsafedinhalfayear。”
“Yes，Mr。DixonandMissCampbellwerethepersons；andIthoughtitaverystrongproof。”
“Certainly——verystrongitwas；toownthetruth，agreatdealstrongerthan，ifIhadbeenMissCampbell，wouldhavebeenatallagreeabletome。Icouldnotexcuseaman’shavingmoremusicthanlove——moreearthaneye——amoreacutesensibilitytofinesoundsthantomyfeelings。HowdidMissCampbellappeartolikeit？“
“Itwasherveryparticularfriend，youknow。”
“Poorcomfort！“saidEmma，laughing。“Onewouldratherhaveastrangerpreferredthanone’sveryparticularfriend——withastrangeritmightnotrecuragain——butthemiseryofhavingaveryparticularfriendalwaysathand，todoeverythingbetterthanonedoesoneself！——
PoorMrs。Dixon！Well，IamgladsheisgonetosettleinIreland。”
“Youareright。ItwasnotveryflatteringtoMissCampbell；
butshereallydidnotseemtofeelit。”
“Somuchthebetter——orsomuchtheworse：——Idonotknowwhich。
Butbeitsweetnessorbeitstupidityinher——quicknessoffriendship，ordulnessoffeeling——therewasoneperson，Ithink，whomusthavefeltit：MissFairfaxherself。Shemusthavefelttheimproperanddangerousdistinction。”
“Astothat——Idonot——“
“Oh！donotimaginethatIexpectanaccountofMissFairfax’ssensationsfromyou，orfromanybodyelse。Theyareknowntonohumanbeing，Iguess，butherself。ButifshecontinuedtoplaywhenevershewasaskedbyMr。Dixon，onemayguesswhatonechuses。”
“Thereappearedsuchaperfectlygoodunderstandingamongthemall——“
hebeganratherquickly，butcheckinghimself，added，“however，itisimpossibleformetosayonwhattermstheyreallywere——
howitmightallbebehindthescenes。Icanonlysaythattherewassmoothnessoutwardly。Butyou，whohaveknownMissFairfaxfromachild，mustbeabetterjudgeofhercharacter，andofhowsheislikelytoconductherselfincriticalsituations，thanIcanbe。”
“Ihaveknownherfromachild，undoubtedly；wehavebeenchildrenandwomentogether；anditisnaturaltosupposethatweshouldbeintimate，——thatweshouldhavetakentoeachotherwhenevershevisitedherfriends。Butweneverdid。Ihardlyknowhowithashappened；alittle，perhaps，fromthatwickednessonmysidewhichwaspronetotakedisgusttowardsagirlsoidolizedandsocriedupasshealwayswas，byherauntandgrandmother，andalltheirset。Andthen，herreserve——Inevercouldattachmyselftoanyonesocompletelyreserved。”
“Itisamostrepulsivequality，indeed。”saidhe。“Oftentimesveryconvenient，nodoubt，butneverpleasing。Thereissafetyinreserve，butnoattraction。Onecannotloveareservedperson。”
“Nottillthereserveceasestowardsoneself；andthentheattractionmaybethegreater。ButImustbemoreinwantofafriend，oranagreeablecompanion，thanIhaveyetbeen，totakethetroubleofconqueringanybody’sreservetoprocureone。
IntimacybetweenMissFairfaxandmeisquiteoutofthequestion。
Ihavenoreasontothinkillofher——nottheleast——exceptthatsuchextremeandperpetualcautiousnessofwordandmanner，suchadreadofgivingadistinctideaaboutanybody，isapttosuggestsuspicionsoftherebeingsomethingtoconceal。”
Heperfectlyagreedwithher：andafterwalkingtogethersolong，andthinkingsomuchalike，Emmafeltherselfsowellacquaintedwithhim，thatshecouldhardlybelieveittobeonlytheirsecondmeeting。
Hewasnotexactlywhatshehadexpected；lessofthemanoftheworldinsomeofhisnotions，lessofthespoiledchildoffortune，thereforebetterthanshehadexpected。Hisideasseemedmoremoderate——
hisfeelingswarmer。ShewasparticularlystruckbyhismannerofconsideringMr。Elton’shouse，which，aswellasthechurch，hewouldgoandlookat，andwouldnotjointheminfindingmuchfaultwith。No，hecouldnotbelieveitabadhouse；notsuchahouseasamanwastobepitiedforhaving。Ifitweretobesharedwiththewomanheloved，hecouldnotthinkanymantobepitiedforhavingthathouse。Theremustbeampleroominitforeveryrealcomfort。
Themanmustbeablockheadwhowantedmore。
Mrs。Westonlaughed，andsaidhedidnotknowwhathewastalkingabout。
Usedonlytoalargehousehimself，andwithouteverthinkinghowmanyadvantagesandaccommodationswereattachedtoitssize，hecouldbenojudgeoftheprivationsinevitablybelongingtoasmallone。
ButEmma，inherownmind，determinedthathedidknowwhathewastalkingabout，andthatheshewedaveryamiableinclinationtosettleearlyinlife，andtomarry，fromworthymotives。
Hemightnotbeawareoftheinroadsondomesticpeacetobeoccasionedbynohousekeeper’sroom，orabadbutler’spantry，butnodoubthedidperfectlyfeelthatEnscombecouldnotmakehimhappy，andthatwheneverhewereattached，hewouldwillinglygiveupmuchofwealthtobeallowedanearlyestablishment。
Chapter07CHAPTERVII
Emma’sverygoodopinionofFrankChurchillwasalittleshakenthefollowingday，byhearingthathewasgoneofftoLondon，merelytohavehishaircut。Asuddenfreakseemedtohaveseizedhimatbreakfast，andhehadsentforachaiseandsetoff，intendingtoreturntodinner，butwithnomoreimportantviewthatappearedthanhavinghishaircut。Therewascertainlynoharminhistravellingsixteenmilestwiceoveronsuchanerrand；buttherewasanairoffopperyandnonsenseinitwhichshecouldnotapprove。Itdidnotaccordwiththerationalityofplan，themoderationinexpense，oreventheunselfishwarmthofheart，whichshehadbelievedherselftodiscerninhimyesterday。Vanity，extravagance，loveofchange，restlessnessoftemper，whichmustbedoingsomething，goodorbad；
heedlessnessastothepleasureofhisfatherandMrs。Weston，indifferentastohowhisconductmightappearingeneral；hebecameliabletoallthesecharges。Hisfatheronlycalledhimacoxcomb，andthoughtitaverygoodstory；butthatMrs。Westondidnotlikeit，wasclearenough，byherpassingitoverasquicklyaspossible，andmakingnoothercommentthanthat“allyoungpeoplewouldhavetheirlittlewhims。”
Withtheexceptionofthislittleblot，Emmafoundthathisvisithithertohadgivenherfriendonlygoodideasofhim。Mrs。Westonwasveryreadytosayhowattentiveandpleasantacompanionhemadehimself——howmuchshesawtolikeinhisdispositionaltogether。
Heappearedtohaveaveryopentemper——certainlyaverycheerfulandlivelyone；shecouldobservenothingwronginhisnotions，agreatdealdecidedlyright；hespokeofhisunclewithwarmregard，wasfondoftalkingofhim——saidhewouldbethebestmanintheworldifhewerelefttohimself；andthoughtherewasnobeingattachedtotheaunt，heacknowledgedherkindnesswithgratitude，andseemedtomeanalwaystospeakofherwithrespect。
Thiswasallverypromising；and，butforsuchanunfortunatefancyforhavinghishaircut，therewasnothingtodenotehimunworthyofthedistinguishedhonourwhichherimaginationhadgivenhim；
thehonour，ifnotofbeingreallyinlovewithher，ofbeingatleastverynearit，andsavedonlybyherownindifference——
forstillherresolutionheldofnevermarrying——thehonour，inshort，ofbeingmarkedoutforherbyalltheirjointacquaintance。
Mr。Weston，onhisside，addedavirtuetotheaccountwhichmusthavesomeweight。HegavehertounderstandthatFrankadmiredherextremely——thoughtherverybeautifulandverycharming；
andwithsomuchtobesaidforhimaltogether，shefoundshemustnotjudgehimharshly。AsMrs。Westonobserved，“allyoungpeoplewouldhavetheirlittlewhims。”
TherewasonepersonamonghisnewacquaintanceinSurry，notsolenientlydisposed。Ingeneralhewasjudged，throughouttheparishesofDonwellandHighbury，withgreatcandour；liberalallowancesweremadeforthelittleexcessesofsuchahandsomeyoungman——
onewhosmiledsooftenandbowedsowell；buttherewasonespiritamongthemnottobesoftened，fromitspowerofcensure，bybowsorsmiles——Mr。Knightley。ThecircumstancewastoldhimatHartfield；
forthemoment，hewassilent；butEmmaheardhimalmostimmediatelyafterwardssaytohimself，overanewspaperheheldinhishand，“Hum！justthetrifling，sillyfellowItookhimfor。”Shehadhalfamindtoresent；butaninstant’sobservationconvincedherthatitwasreallysaidonlytorelievehisownfeelings，andnotmeanttoprovoke；andthereforesheletitpass。
Althoughinoneinstancethebearersofnotgoodtidings，Mr。andMrs。Weston’svisitthismorningwasinanotherrespectparticularlyopportune。SomethingoccurredwhiletheywereatHartfield，tomakeEmmawanttheiradvice；and，whichwasstillmorelucky，shewantedexactlytheadvicetheygave。
Thiswastheoccurrence：——TheColeshadbeensettledsomeyearsinHighbury，andwereverygoodsortofpeople——friendly，liberal，andunpretending；but，ontheotherhand，theywereofloworigin，intrade，andonlymoderatelygenteel。Ontheirfirstcomingintothecountry，theyhadlivedinproportiontotheirincome，quietly，keepinglittlecompany，andthatlittleunexpensively；butthelastyearortwohadbroughtthemaconsiderableincreaseofmeans——
thehouseintownhadyieldedgreaterprofits，andfortuneingeneralhadsmiledonthem。Withtheirwealth，theirviewsincreased；
theirwantofalargerhouse，theirinclinationformorecompany。
Theyaddedtotheirhouse，totheirnumberofservants，totheirexpensesofeverysort；andbythistimewere，infortuneandstyleofliving，secondonlytothefamilyatHartfield。
Theirloveofsociety，andtheirnewdining-room，preparedeverybodyfortheirkeepingdinner-company；andafewparties，chieflyamongthesinglemen，hadalreadytakenplace。TheregularandbestfamiliesEmmacouldhardlysupposetheywouldpresumetoinvite——
neitherDonwell，norHartfield，norRandalls。Nothingshouldtempthertogo，iftheydid；andsheregrettedthatherfather’sknownhabitswouldbegivingherrefusallessmeaningthanshecouldwish。TheColeswereveryrespectableintheirway，buttheyoughttobetaughtthatitwasnotforthemtoarrangethetermsonwhichthesuperiorfamilieswouldvisitthem。Thislesson，sheverymuchfeared，theywouldreceiveonlyfromherself；
shehadlittlehopeofMr。Knightley，noneofMr。Weston。
Butshehadmadeuphermindhowtomeetthispresumptionsomanyweeksbeforeitappeared，thatwhentheinsultcameatlast，itfoundherverydifferentlyaffected。DonwellandRandallshadreceivedtheirinvitation，andnonehadcomeforherfatherandherself；andMrs。Weston’saccountingforitwith“Isupposetheywillnottakethelibertywithyou；theyknowyoudonotdineout。”wasnotquitesufficient。Shefeltthatsheshouldliketohavehadthepowerofrefusal；andafterwards，astheideaofthepartytobeassembledthere，consistingpreciselyofthosewhosesocietywasdearesttoher，occurredagainandagain，shedidnotknowthatshemightnothavebeentemptedtoaccept。
Harrietwastobethereintheevening，andtheBateses。TheyhadbeenspeakingofitastheywalkedaboutHighburythedaybefore，andFrankChurchillhadmostearnestlylamentedherabsence。
Mightnottheeveningendinadance？hadbeenaquestionofhis。
Thebarepossibilityofitactedasafartherirritationonherspirits；
andherbeingleftinsolitarygrandeur，evensupposingtheomissiontobeintendedasacompliment，wasbutpoorcomfort。
ItwasthearrivalofthisveryinvitationwhiletheWestonswereatHartfield，whichmadetheirpresencesoacceptable；forthoughherfirstremark，onreadingit，wasthat“ofcourseitmustbedeclined。”
shesoverysoonproceededtoaskthemwhattheyadvisedhertodo，thattheiradviceforhergoingwasmostpromptandsuccessful。
Sheownedthat，consideringeverything，shewasnotabsolutelywithoutinclinationfortheparty。TheColesexpressedthemselvessoproperly——therewassomuchrealattentioninthemannerofit——
somuchconsiderationforherfather。“Theywouldhavesolicitedthehonourearlier，buthadbeenwaitingthearrivalofafolding-screenfromLondon，whichtheyhopedmightkeepMr。Woodhousefromanydraughtofair，andthereforeinducehimthemorereadilytogivethemthehonourofhiscompany。“Uponthewhole，shewasverypersuadable；
anditbeingbrieflysettledamongthemselveshowitmightbedonewithoutneglectinghiscomfort——howcertainlyMrs。Goddard，ifnotMrs。Bates，mightbedependedonforbearinghimcompany——
Mr。Woodhousewastobetalkedintoanacquiescenceofhisdaughter’sgoingouttodinneronadaynownearathand，andspendingthewholeeveningawayfromhim。Asforhisgoing，Emmadidnotwishhimtothinkitpossible，thehourswouldbetoolate，andthepartytoonumerous。Hewassoonprettywellresigned。
“Iamnotfondofdinner-visiting。”saidhe——“Ineverwas。
NomoreisEmma。Latehoursdonotagreewithus。IamsorryMr。andMrs。Coleshouldhavedoneit。Ithinkitwouldbemuchbetteriftheywouldcomeinoneafternoonnextsummer，andtaketheirteawithus——takeusintheirafternoonwalk；
whichtheymightdo，asourhoursaresoreasonable，andyetgethomewithoutbeingoutinthedampoftheevening。ThedewsofasummereveningarewhatIwouldnotexposeanybodyto。However，astheyaresoverydesiroustohavedearEmmadinewiththem，andasyouwillbothbethere，andMr。Knightleytoo，totakecareofher，Icannotwishtopreventit，providedtheweatherbewhatitought，neitherdamp，norcold，norwindy。”ThenturningtoMrs。Weston，withalookofgentlereproach——“Ah！MissTaylor，ifyouhadnotmarried，youwouldhavestaidathomewithme。”
“Well，sir。”criedMr。Weston，“asItookMissTayloraway，itisincumbentonmetosupplyherplace，ifIcan；andIwillsteptoMrs。Goddardinamoment，ifyouwishit。”
Buttheideaofanythingtobedoneinamoment，wasincreasing，notlessening，Mr。Woodhouse’sagitation。Theladiesknewbetterhowtoallayit。Mr。Westonmustbequiet，andeverythingdeliberatelyarranged。
Withthistreatment，Mr。Woodhousewassooncomposedenoughfortalkingasusual。“HeshouldbehappytoseeMrs。Goddard。
HehadagreatregardforMrs。Goddard；andEmmashouldwritealine，andinviteher。Jamescouldtakethenote。Butfirstofall，theremustbeananswerwrittentoMrs。Cole。”
“Youwillmakemyexcuses，mydear，ascivillyaspossible。YouwillsaythatIamquiteaninvalid，andgonowhere，andthereforemustdeclinetheirobliginginvitation；beginningwithmycompliments，ofcourse。Butyouwilldoeverythingright。Ineednottellyouwhatistobedone。WemustremembertoletJamesknowthatthecarriagewillbewantedonTuesday。Ishallhavenofearsforyouwithhim。
Wehaveneverbeenthereaboveoncesincethenewapproachwasmade；
butstillIhavenodoubtthatJameswilltakeyouverysafely。
Andwhenyougetthere，youmusttellhimatwhattimeyouwouldhavehimcomeforyouagain；andyouhadbetternameanearlyhour。
Youwillnotlikestayinglate。Youwillgetverytiredwhenteaisover。”
“ButyouwouldnotwishmetocomeawaybeforeIamtired，papa？“
“Oh！no，mylove；butyouwillsoonbetired。Therewillbeagreatmanypeopletalkingatonce。Youwillnotlikethenoise。”
“But，mydearsir。”criedMr。Weston，“ifEmmacomesawayearly，itwillbebreakinguptheparty。”
“Andnogreatharmifitdoes。”saidMr。Woodhouse。“Thesoonereverypartybreaksup，thebetter。”
“ButyoudonotconsiderhowitmayappeartotheColes。
Emma’sgoingawaydirectlyafterteamightbegivingoffence。
Theyaregood-naturedpeople，andthinklittleoftheirownclaims；
butstilltheymustfeelthatanybody’shurryingawayisnogreatcompliment；andMissWoodhouse’sdoingitwouldbemorethoughtofthananyotherperson’sintheroom。YouwouldnotwishtodisappointandmortifytheColes，Iamsure，sir；friendly，goodsortofpeopleaseverlived，andwhohavebeenyourneighboursthesetenyears。”
“No，uponnoaccountintheworld，Mr。Weston；Iammuchobligedtoyouforremindingme。Ishouldbeextremelysorrytobegivingthemanypain。Iknowwhatworthypeopletheyare。PerrytellsmethatMr。Colenevertouchesmaltliquor。Youwouldnotthinkittolookathim，butheisbilious——Mr。Coleisverybilious。
No，Iwouldnotbethemeansofgivingthemanypain。MydearEmma，wemustconsiderthis。Iamsure，ratherthanruntheriskofhurtingMr。andMrs。Cole，youwouldstayalittlelongerthanyoumightwish。
Youwillnotregardbeingtired。Youwillbeperfectlysafe，youknow，amongyourfriends。”
“Ohyes，papa。Ihavenofearsatallformyself；andIshouldhavenoscruplesofstayingaslateasMrs。Weston，butonyouraccount。
Iamonlyafraidofyoursittingupforme。IamnotafraidofyournotbeingexceedinglycomfortablewithMrs。Goddard。
Shelovespiquet，youknow；butwhensheisgonehome，Iamafraidyouwillbesittingupbyyourself，insteadofgoingtobedatyourusualtime——andtheideaofthatwouldentirelydestroymycomfort。
Youmustpromisemenottositup。”
Hedid，ontheconditionofsomepromisesonherside：suchasthat，ifshecamehomecold，shewouldbesuretowarmherselfthoroughly；
ifhungry，thatshewouldtakesomethingtoeat；thatherownmaidshouldsitupforher；andthatSerleandthebutlershouldseethateverythingweresafeinthehouse，asusual。
Chapter08CHAPTERVIII
FrankChurchillcamebackagain；andifhekepthisfather’sdinnerwaiting，itwasnotknownatHartfield；forMrs。WestonwastooanxiousforhisbeingafavouritewithMr。Woodhouse，tobetrayanyimperfectionwhichcouldbeconcealed。
Hecameback，hadhadhishaircut，andlaughedathimselfwithaverygoodgrace，butwithoutseemingreallyatallashamedofwhathehaddone。Hehadnoreasontowishhishairlonger，toconcealanyconfusionofface；noreasontowishthemoneyunspent，toimprovehisspirits。Hewasquiteasundauntedandaslivelyasever；and，afterseeinghim，Emmathusmoralisedtoherself：——
“Idonotknowwhetheritoughttobeso，butcertainlysillythingsdoceasetobesillyiftheyaredonebysensiblepeopleinanimpudentway。Wickednessisalwayswickedness，butfollyisnotalwaysfolly——Itdependsuponthecharacterofthosewhohandleit。
Mr。Knightley，heisnotatrifling，sillyyoungman。Ifhewere，hewouldhavedonethisdifferently。Hewouldeitherhavegloriedintheachievement，orbeenashamedofit。Therewouldhavebeeneithertheostentationofacoxcomb，ortheevasionsofamindtooweaktodefenditsownvanities——No，Iamperfectlysurethatheisnottriflingorsilly。”
WithTuesdaycametheagreeableprospectofseeinghimagain，andforalongertimethanhitherto；ofjudgingofhisgeneralmanners，andbyinference，ofthemeaningofhismannerstowardsherself；
ofguessinghowsoonitmightbenecessaryforhertothrowcoldnessintoherair；andoffancyingwhattheobservationsofallthosemightbe，whowerenowseeingthemtogetherforthefirsttime。
Shemeanttobeveryhappy，inspiteofthescenebeinglaidatMr。Cole’s；andwithoutbeingabletoforgetthatamongthefailingsofMr。Elton，eveninthedaysofhisfavour，nonehaddisturbedhermorethanhispropensitytodinewithMr。Cole。
Herfather’scomfortwasamplysecured，Mrs。BatesaswellasMrs。Goddardbeingabletocome；andherlastpleasingduty，beforesheleftthehouse，wastopayherrespectstothemastheysattogetherafterdinner；andwhileherfatherwasfondlynoticingthebeautyofherdress，tomakethetwoladiesalltheamendsinherpower，byhelpingthemtolargeslicesofcakeandfullglassesofwine，forwhateverunwillingself-denialhiscareoftheirconstitutionmighthaveobligedthemtopractiseduringthemeal——Shehadprovidedaplentifuldinnerforthem；
shewishedshecouldknowthattheyhadbeenallowedtoeatit。
ShefollowedanothercarriagetoMr。Cole’sdoor；andwaspleasedtoseethatitwasMr。Knightley’s；forMr。Knightleykeepingnohorses，havinglittlesparemoneyandagreatdealofhealth，activity，andindependence，wastooapt，inEmma’sopinion，togetaboutashecould，andnotusehiscarriagesooftenasbecametheownerofDonwellAbbey。Shehadanopportunitynowofspeakingherapprobationwhilewarmfromherheart，forhestoppedtohandherout。
“Thisiscomingasyoushoulddo。”saidshe；“likeagentleman——
Iamquitegladtoseeyou。”
Hethankedher，observing，“Howluckythatweshouldarriveatthesamemoment！for，ifwehadmetfirstinthedrawing-room，Idoubtwhetheryouwouldhavediscernedmetobemoreofagentlemanthanusual——
YoumightnothavedistinguishedhowIcame，bymylookormanner。”
“YesIshould，IamsureIshould。Thereisalwaysalookofconsciousnessorbustlewhenpeoplecomeinawaywhichtheyknowtobebeneaththem。Youthinkyoucarryitoffverywell，Idaresay，butwithyouitisasortofbravado，anairofaffectedunconcern；
IalwaysobserveitwheneverImeetyouunderthosecircumstances。
Nowyouhavenothingtotryfor。Youarenotafraidofbeingsupposedashamed。Youarenotstrivingtolooktallerthananybodyelse。NowIshallreallybeveryhappytowalkintothesameroomwithyou。”
“Nonsensicalgirl！“washisreply，butnotatallinanger。
EmmahadasmuchreasontobesatisfiedwiththerestofthepartyaswithMr。Knightley。Shewasreceivedwithacordialrespectwhichcouldnotbutplease，andgivenalltheconsequenceshecouldwishfor。WhentheWestonsarrived，thekindestlooksoflove，thestrongestofadmirationwereforher，frombothhusbandandwife；
thesonapproachedherwithacheerfuleagernesswhichmarkedherashispeculiarobject，andatdinnershefoundhimseatedbyher——and，asshefirmlybelieved，notwithoutsomedexterityonhisside。
Thepartywasratherlarge，asitincludedoneotherfamily，aproperunobjectionablecountryfamily，whomtheColeshadtheadvantageofnamingamongtheiracquaintance，andthemalepartofMr。Cox’sfamily，thelawyerofHighbury。Thelessworthyfemalesweretocomeintheevening，withMissBates，MissFairfax，andMissSmith；
butalready，atdinner，theyweretoonumerousforanysubjectofconversationtobegeneral；and，whilepoliticsandMr。Eltonweretalkedover，Emmacouldfairlysurrenderallherattentiontothepleasantnessofherneighbour。Thefirstremotesoundtowhichshefeltherselfobligedtoattend，wasthenameofJaneFairfax。
Mrs。Coleseemedtoberelatingsomethingofherthatwasexpectedtobeveryinteresting。Shelistened，andfounditwellworthlisteningto。
ThatverydearpartofEmma，herfancy，receivedanamusingsupply。
Mrs。ColewastellingthatshehadbeencallingonMissBates，andassoonassheenteredtheroomhadbeenstruckbythesightofapianoforte——averyelegantlookinginstrument——notagrand，butalarge-sizedsquarepianoforte；andthesubstanceofthestory，theendofallthedialoguewhichensuedofsurprize，andinquiry，andcongratulationsonherside，andexplanationsonMissBates’s，was，thatthispianofortehadarrivedfromBroadwood’sthedaybefore，tothegreatastonishmentofbothauntandniece——entirelyunexpected；
thatatfirst，byMissBates’saccount，Janeherselfwasquiteataloss，quitebewilderedtothinkwhocouldpossiblyhaveorderedit——
butnow，theywerebothperfectlysatisfiedthatitcouldbefromonlyonequarter；——ofcourseitmustbefromColonelCampbell。
“Onecansupposenothingelse。”addedMrs。Cole，“andIwasonlysurprizedthattherecouldeverhavebeenadoubt。ButJane，itseems，hadaletterfromthemverylately，andnotawordwassaidaboutit。Sheknowstheirwaysbest；butIshouldnotconsidertheirsilenceasanyreasonfortheirnotmeaningtomakethepresent。
Theymightchusetosurprizeher。”
Mrs。Colehadmanytoagreewithher；everybodywhospokeonthesubjectwasequallyconvincedthatitmustcomefromColonelCampbell，andequallyrejoicedthatsuchapresenthadbeenmade；andtherewereenoughreadytospeaktoallowEmmatothinkherownway，andstilllistentoMrs。Cole。
“Ideclare，IdonotknowwhenIhaveheardanythingthathasgivenmemoresatisfaction！——ItalwayshasquitehurtmethatJaneFairfax，whoplayssodelightfully，shouldnothaveaninstrument。
Itseemedquiteashame，especiallyconsideringhowmanyhousestherearewherefineinstrumentsareabsolutelythrownaway。
Thisislikegivingourselvesaslap，tobesure！anditwasbutyesterdayIwastellingMr。Cole，Ireallywasashamedtolookatournewgrandpianoforteinthedrawing-room，whileI
donotknowonenotefromanother，andourlittlegirls，whoarebutjustbeginning，perhapsmaynevermakeanythingofit；
andthereispoorJaneFairfax，whoismistressofmusic，hasnotanythingofthenatureofaninstrument，noteventhepitifullestoldspinetintheworld，toamuseherselfwith——IwassayingthistoMr。Colebutyesterday，andhequiteagreedwithme；onlyheissoparticularlyfondofmusicthathecouldnothelpindulginghimselfinthepurchase，hopingthatsomeofourgoodneighboursmightbesoobligingoccasionallytoputittoabetterusethanwecan；
andthatreallyisthereasonwhytheinstrumentwasbought——
orelseIamsureweoughttobeashamedofit——WeareingreathopesthatMissWoodhousemaybeprevailedwithtotryitthisevening。”
MissWoodhousemadetheproperacquiescence；andfindingthatnothingmorewastobeentrappedfromanycommunicationofMrs。Cole’s，turnedtoFrankChurchill。
“Whydoyousmile？“saidshe。
“Nay，whydoyou？“
“Me！——IsupposeIsmileforpleasureatColonelCampbell’sbeingsorichandsoliberal——Itisahandsomepresent。”
“Very。”
“Iratherwonderthatitwasnevermadebefore。”
“PerhapsMissFairfaxhasneverbeenstayingheresolongbefore。”
“Orthathedidnotgivehertheuseoftheirowninstrument——
whichmustnowbeshutupinLondon，untouchedbyanybody。”
“Thatisagrandpianoforte，andhemightthinkittoolargeforMrs。Bates’shouse。”
“Youmaysaywhatyouchuse——butyourcountenancetestifiesthatyourthoughtsonthissubjectareverymuchlikemine。”
“Idonotknow。IratherbelieveyouaregivingmemorecreditforacutenessthanIdeserve。Ismilebecauseyousmile，andshallprobablysuspectwhateverIfindyoususpect；butatpresentIdonotseewhatthereistoquestion。IfColonelCampbellisnottheperson，whocanbe？“
“WhatdoyousaytoMrs。Dixon？“
“Mrs。Dixon！verytrueindeed。IhadnotthoughtofMrs。Dixon。
Shemustknowaswellasherfather，howacceptableaninstrumentwouldbe；andperhapsthemodeofit，themystery，thesurprize，ismorelikeayoungwoman’sschemethananelderlyman’s。ItisMrs。Dixon，Idaresay。Itoldyouthatyoursuspicionswouldguidemine。”
“Ifso，youmustextendyoursuspicionsandcomprehendMr。Dixoninthem。”
“Mr。Dixon——Verywell。Yes，IimmediatelyperceivethatitmustbethejointpresentofMr。andMrs。Dixon。Wewerespeakingtheotherday，youknow，ofhisbeingsowarmanadmirerofherperformance。”
“Yes，andwhatyoutoldmeonthathead，confirmedanideawhichI
hadentertainedbefore——IdonotmeantoreflectuponthegoodintentionsofeitherMr。DixonorMissFairfax，butIcannothelpsuspectingeitherthat，aftermakinghisproposalstoherfriend，hehadthemisfortunetofallinlovewithher，orthathebecameconsciousofalittleattachmentonherside。Onemightguesstwentythingswithoutguessingexactlytheright；butIamsuretheremustbeaparticularcauseforherchusingtocometoHighburyinsteadofgoingwiththeCampbellstoIreland。Here，shemustbeleadingalifeofprivationandpenance；thereitwouldhavebeenallenjoyment。Astothepretenceoftryinghernativeair，I
lookuponthatasamereexcuse——Inthesummeritmighthavepassed；
butwhatcananybody’snativeairdofortheminthemonthsofJanuary，February，andMarch？Goodfiresandcarriageswouldbemuchmoretothepurposeinmostcasesofdelicatehealth，andI
daresayinher’s。Idonotrequireyoutoadoptallmysuspicions，thoughyoumakesonobleaprofessionofdoingit，butIhonestlytellyouwhattheyare。”
“And，uponmyword，theyhaveanairofgreatprobability。
Mr。Dixon’spreferenceofhermusictoherfriend’s，Icananswerforbeingverydecided。”
“Andthen，hesavedherlife。Didyoueverhearofthat？——
Awaterparty；andbysomeaccidentshewasfallingoverboard。
Hecaughther。”
“Hedid。Iwasthere——oneoftheparty。”
“Wereyoureally？——Well！——Butyouobservednothingofcourse，foritseemstobeanewideatoyou——IfIhadbeenthere，IthinkIshouldhavemadesomediscoveries。”
“Idaresayyouwould；butI，simpleI，sawnothingbutthefact，thatMissFairfaxwasnearlydashedfromthevesselandthatMr。Dixoncaughther——Itwastheworkofamoment。Andthoughtheconsequentshockandalarmwasverygreatandmuchmoredurable——indeedI
believeitwashalfanhourbeforeanyofuswerecomfortableagain——
yetthatwastoogeneralasensationforanythingofpeculiaranxietytobeobservable。Idonotmeantosay，however，thatyoumightnothavemadediscoveries。”
Theconversationwashereinterrupted。Theywerecalledontoshareintheawkwardnessofaratherlongintervalbetweenthecourses，andobligedtobeasformalandasorderlyastheothers；butwhenthetablewasagainsafelycovered，wheneverycornerdishwasplacedexactlyright，andoccupationandeaseweregenerallyrestored，Emmasaid，“Thearrivalofthispianoforteisdecisivewithme。Iwantedtoknowalittlemore，andthistellsmequiteenough。Dependuponit，weshallsoonhearthatitisapresentfromMr。andMrs。Dixon。”
“AndiftheDixonsshouldabsolutelydenyallknowledgeofitwemustconcludeittocomefromtheCampbells。”
“No，IamsureitisnotfromtheCampbells。MissFairfaxknowsitisnotfromtheCampbells，ortheywouldhavebeenguessedatfirst。
Shewouldnothavebeenpuzzled，hadshedaredfixonthem。
Imaynothaveconvincedyouperhaps，butIamperfectlyconvincedmyselfthatMr。Dixonisaprincipalinthebusiness。”
“Indeedyouinjuremeifyousupposemeunconvinced。Yourreasoningscarrymyjudgmentalongwiththementirely。Atfirst，whileI
supposedyousatisfiedthatColonelCampbellwasthegiver，Isawitonlyaspaternalkindness，andthoughtitthemostnaturalthingintheworld。ButwhenyoumentionedMrs。Dixon，Ifelthowmuchmoreprobablethatitshouldbethetributeofwarmfemalefriendship。
AndnowIcanseeitinnootherlightthanasanofferingoflove。”
Therewasnooccasiontopressthematterfarther。Theconvictionseemedreal；helookedasifhefeltit。Shesaidnomore，othersubjectstooktheirturn；andtherestofthedinnerpassedaway；
thedessertsucceeded，thechildrencamein，andweretalkedtoandadmiredamidtheusualrateofconversation；afewcleverthingssaid，afewdownrightsilly，butbymuchthelargerproportionneithertheonenortheother——nothingworsethaneverydayremarks，dullrepetitions，oldnews，andheavyjokes。
Theladieshadnotbeenlonginthedrawing-room，beforetheotherladies，intheirdifferentdivisions，arrived。Emmawatchedtheentreeofherownparticularlittlefriend；andifshecouldnotexultinherdignityandgrace，shecouldnotonlylovethebloomingsweetnessandtheartlessmanner，butcouldmostheartilyrejoiceinthatlight，cheerful，unsentimentaldispositionwhichallowedhersomanyalleviationsofpleasure，inthemidstofthepangsofdisappointedaffection。
Thereshesat——andwhowouldhaveguessedhowmanytearsshehadbeenlatelyshedding？Tobeincompany，nicelydressedherselfandseeingothersnicelydressed，tositandsmileandlookpretty，andsaynothing，wasenoughforthehappinessofthepresenthour。
JaneFairfaxdidlookandmovesuperior；butEmmasuspectedshemighthavebeengladtochangefeelingswithHarriet，verygladtohavepurchasedthemortificationofhavingloved——yes，ofhavinglovedevenMr。Eltoninvain——bythesurrenderofallthedangerouspleasureofknowingherselfbelovedbythehusbandofherfriend。
InsolargeapartyitwasnotnecessarythatEmmashouldapproachher。
Shedidnotwishtospeakofthepianoforte，shefelttoomuchinthesecretherself，tothinktheappearanceofcuriosityorinterestfair，andthereforepurposelykeptatadistance；
butbytheothers，thesubjectwasalmostimmediatelyintroduced，andshesawtheblushofconsciousnesswithwhichcongratulationswerereceived，theblushofguiltwhichaccompaniedthenameof“myexcellentfriendColonelCampbell。”
Mrs。Weston，kind-heartedandmusical，wasparticularlyinterestedbythecircumstance，andEmmacouldnothelpbeingamusedatherperseveranceindwellingonthesubject；andhavingsomuchtoaskandtosayastotone，touch，andpedal，totallyunsuspiciousofthatwishofsayingaslittleaboutitaspossible，whichsheplainlyreadinthefairheroine’scountenance。
Theyweresoonjoinedbysomeofthegentlemen；andtheveryfirstoftheearlywasFrankChurchill。Inhewalked，thefirstandthehandsomest；
andafterpayinghiscomplimentsenpassanttoMissBatesandherniece，madehiswaydirectlytotheoppositesideofthecircle，wheresatMissWoodhouse；andtillhecouldfindaseatbyher，wouldnotsitatall。Emmadivinedwhateverybodypresentmustbethinking。Shewashisobject，andeverybodymustperceiveit。
Sheintroducedhimtoherfriend，MissSmith，and，atconvenientmomentsafterwards，heardwhateachthoughtoftheother。“Hehadneverseensolovelyaface，andwasdelightedwithhernaivete。”
Andshe，“Onlytobesureitwaspayinghimtoogreatacompliment，butshedidthinkthereweresomelooksalittlelikeMr。Elton。”
Emmarestrainedherindignation，andonlyturnedfromherinsilence。
SmilesofintelligencepassedbetweenherandthegentlemanonfirstglancingtowardsMissFairfax；butitwasmostprudenttoavoidspeech。
Hetoldherthathehadbeenimpatienttoleavethedining-room——
hatedsittinglong——wasalwaysthefirsttomovewhenhecould——
thathisfather，Mr。Knightley，Mr。Cox，andMr。Cole，wereleftverybusyoverparishbusiness——thataslongashehadstaid，however，ithadbeenpleasantenough，ashehadfoundthemingeneralasetofgentlemanlike，sensiblemen；andspokesohandsomelyofHighburyaltogether——thoughtitsoabundantinagreeablefamilies——
thatEmmabegantofeelshehadbeenusedtodespisetheplacerathertoomuch。ShequestionedhimastothesocietyinYorkshire——
theextentoftheneighbourhoodaboutEnscombe，andthesort；
andcouldmakeoutfromhisanswersthat，asfarasEnscombewasconcerned，therewasverylittlegoingon，thattheirvisitingswereamongarangeofgreatfamilies，noneverynear；andthatevenwhendayswerefixed，andinvitationsaccepted，itwasanevenchancethatMrs。Churchillwerenotinhealthandspiritsforgoing；
thattheymadeapointofvisitingnofreshperson；andthat，thoughhehadhisseparateengagements，itwasnotwithoutdifficulty，withoutconsiderableaddressattimes，thathecouldgetaway，orintroduceanacquaintanceforanight。
ShesawthatEnscombecouldnotsatisfy，andthatHighbury，takenatitsbest，mightreasonablypleaseayoungmanwhohadmoreretirementathomethanheliked。HisimportanceatEnscombewasveryevident。Hedidnotboast，butitnaturallybetrayeditself，thathehadpersuadedhisauntwherehisunclecoulddonothing，andonherlaughingandnoticingit，heownedthathebelievedexceptingoneortwopointshecouldwithtimepersuadehertoanything。
Oneofthosepointsonwhichhisinfluencefailed，hethenmentioned。
Hehadwantedverymuchtogoabroad——hadbeenveryeagerindeedtobeallowedtotravel——butshewouldnothearofit。Thishadhappenedtheyearbefore。Now，hesaid，hewasbeginningtohavenolongerthesamewish。
Theunpersuadablepoint，whichhedidnotmention，Emmaguessedtobegoodbehaviourtohisfather。
“Ihavemadeamostwretcheddiscovery。”saidhe，afterashortpause——
“Ihavebeenhereaweekto-morrow——halfmytime。Ineverknewdaysflysofast。Aweekto-morrow！——AndIhavehardlybeguntoenjoymyself。ButjustgotacquaintedwithMrs。Weston，andothers！——
Ihatetherecollection。”
“Perhapsyoumaynowbegintoregretthatyouspentonewholeday，outofsofew，inhavingyourhaircut。”
“No。”saidhe，smiling，“thatisnosubjectofregretatall。
Ihavenopleasureinseeingmyfriends，unlessIcanbelievemyselffittobeseen。”
Therestofthegentlemenbeingnowintheroom，Emmafoundherselfobligedtoturnfromhimforafewminutes，andlistentoMr。Cole。
WhenMr。Colehadmovedaway，andherattentioncouldberestoredasbefore，shesawFrankChurchilllookingintentlyacrosstheroomatMissFairfax，whowassittingexactlyopposite。
“Whatisthematter？“saidshe。
Hestarted。“Thankyouforrousingme。”hereplied。“IbelieveIhavebeenveryrude；butreallyMissFairfaxhasdoneherhairinsooddaway——soveryoddaway——thatIcannotkeepmyeyesfromher。Ineversawanythingsooutree！——Thosecurls！——Thismustbeafancyofherown。Iseenobodyelselookinglikeher！——
ImustgoandaskherwhetheritisanIrishfashion。ShallI？——
Yes，Iwill——IdeclareIwill——andyoushallseehowshetakesit；——
whethershecolours。”
Hewasgoneimmediately；andEmmasoonsawhimstandingbeforeMissFairfax，andtalkingtoher；butastoitseffectontheyounglady，ashehadimprovidentlyplacedhimselfexactlybetweenthem，exactlyinfrontofMissFairfax，shecouldabsolutelydistinguishnothing。
Beforehecouldreturntohischair，itwastakenbyMrs。Weston。
“Thisistheluxuryofalargeparty。”saidshe：——“onecangetneareverybody，andsayeverything。MydearEmma，Iamlongingtotalktoyou。Ihavebeenmakingdiscoveriesandformingplans，justlikeyourself，andImusttellthemwhiletheideaisfresh。
DoyouknowhowMissBatesandherniececamehere？“
“How？——Theywereinvited，werenotthey？“
“Oh！yes——buthowtheywereconveyedhither？——themanneroftheircoming？“
“Theywalked，Iconclude。Howelsecouldtheycome？“
“Verytrue——Well，alittlewhileagoitoccurredtomehowverysaditwouldbetohaveJaneFairfaxwalkinghomeagain，lateatnight，andcoldasthenightsarenow。AndasIlookedather，thoughI
neversawherappeartomoreadvantage，itstruckmethatshewasheated，andwouldthereforebeparticularlyliabletotakecold。
Poorgirl！Icouldnotbeartheideaofit；so，assoonasMr。
Westoncameintotheroom，andIcouldgetathim，Ispoketohimaboutthecarriage。Youmayguesshowreadilyhecameintomywishes；
andhavinghisapprobation，ImademywaydirectlytoMissBates，toassureherthatthecarriagewouldbeatherservicebeforeittookushome；forIthoughtitwouldbemakinghercomfortableatonce。
Goodsoul！shewasasgratefulaspossible，youmaybesure。
`Nobodywaseversofortunateasherself！’——butwithmany，manythanks——`therewasnooccasiontotroubleus，forMr。Knightley’scarriagehadbrought，andwastotakethemhomeagain。’Iwasquitesurprized；——veryglad，Iamsure；butreallyquitesurprized。
Suchaverykindattention——andsothoughtfulanattention！——
thesortofthingthatsofewmenwouldthinkof。And，inshort，fromknowinghisusualways，Iamverymuchinclinedtothinkthatitwasfortheiraccommodationthecarriagewasusedatall。
Idosuspecthewouldnothavehadapairofhorsesforhimself，andthatitwasonlyasanexcuseforassistingthem。”
“Verylikely。”saidEmma——“nothingmorelikely。IknownomanmorelikelythanMr。Knightleytodothesortofthing——todoanythingreallygood-natured，useful，considerate，orbenevolent。
Heisnotagallantman，butheisaveryhumaneone；andthis，consideringJaneFairfax’sill-health，wouldappearacaseofhumanitytohim；——andforanactofunostentatiouskindness，thereisnobodywhomIwouldfixonmorethanonMr。Knightley。
Iknowhehadhorsesto-day——forwearrivedtogether；andIlaughedathimaboutit，buthesaidnotawordthatcouldbetray。”
“Well。”saidMrs。Weston，smiling，“yougivehimcreditformoresimple，disinterestedbenevolenceinthisinstancethanIdo；
forwhileMissBateswasspeaking，asuspiciondartedintomyhead，andIhaveneverbeenabletogetitoutagain。ThemoreIthinkofit，themoreprobableitappears。Inshort，IhavemadeamatchbetweenMr。KnightleyandJaneFairfax。Seetheconsequenceofkeepingyoucompany！——Whatdoyousaytoit？“
“Mr。KnightleyandJaneFairfax！“exclaimedEmma。“DearMrs。Weston，howcouldyouthinkofsuchathing？——Mr。Knightley！——Mr。Knightleymustnotmarry！——YouwouldnothavelittleHenrycutoutfromDonwell？——
Oh！no，no，HenrymusthaveDonwell。IcannotatallconsenttoMr。Knightley’smarrying；andIamsureitisnotatalllikely。
Iamamazedthatyoushouldthinkofsuchathing。”
“MydearEmma，Ihavetoldyouwhatledmetothinkofit。
Idonotwantthematch——IdonotwanttoinjuredearlittleHenry——
buttheideahasbeengivenmebycircumstances；andifMr。Knightleyreallywishedtomarry，youwouldnothavehimrefrainonHenry’saccount，aboyofsixyearsold，whoknowsnothingofthematter？“
“Yes，Iwould。IcouldnotbeartohaveHenrysupplanted——
Mr。Knightleymarry！——No，Ihaveneverhadsuchanidea，andI
cannotadoptitnow。AndJaneFairfax，too，ofallwomen！“
“Nay，shehasalwaysbeenafirstfavouritewithhim，asyouverywellknow。”
“Buttheimprudenceofsuchamatch！“
“Iamnotspeakingofitsprudence；merelyitsprobability。”
“Iseenoprobabilityinit，unlessyouhaveanybetterfoundationthanwhatyoumention。Hisgood-nature，hishumanity，asItellyou，wouldbequiteenoughtoaccountforthehorses。HehasagreatregardfortheBateses，youknow，independentofJaneFairfax——
andisalwaysgladtoshewthemattention。MydearMrs。Weston，donottaketomatch-making。Youdoitveryill。JaneFairfaxmistressoftheAbbey！——Oh！no，no；——everyfeelingrevolts。Forhisownsake，Iwouldnothavehimdosomadathing。”
“Imprudent，ifyouplease——butnotmad。Exceptinginequalityoffortune，andperhapsalittledisparityofage，Icanseenothingunsuitable。”
“ButMr。Knightleydoesnotwanttomarry。Iamsurehehasnottheleastideaofit。Donotputitintohishead。Whyshouldhemarry？——
Heisashappyaspossiblebyhimself；withhisfarm，andhissheep，andhislibrary，andalltheparishtomanage；andheisextremelyfondofhisbrother’schildren。Hehasnooccasiontomarry，eithertofilluphistimeorhisheart。”
“MydearEmma，aslongashethinksso，itisso；butifhereallylovesJaneFairfax——“
“Nonsense！HedoesnotcareaboutJaneFairfax。Inthewayoflove，Iamsurehedoesnot。Hewoulddoanygoodtoher，orherfamily；but——“
“Well。”saidMrs。Weston，laughing，“perhapsthegreatestgoodhecoulddothem，wouldbetogiveJanesucharespectablehome。”
“Ifitwouldbegoodtoher，Iamsureitwouldbeeviltohimself；
averyshamefulanddegradingconnexion。HowwouldhebeartohaveMissBatesbelongingtohim？——TohaveherhauntingtheAbbey，andthankinghimalldaylongforhisgreatkindnessinmarryingJane？——
`Soverykindandobliging！——Buthealwayshadbeensuchaverykindneighbour！’Andthenflyoff，throughhalfasentence，tohermother’soldpetticoat。`Notthatitwassuchaveryoldpetticoateither——forstillitwouldlastagreatwhile——and，indeed，shemustthankfullysaythattheirpetticoatswereallverystrong。’“
“Forshame，Emma！Donotmimicher。Youdivertmeagainstmyconscience。And，uponmyword，IdonotthinkMr。KnightleywouldbemuchdisturbedbyMissBates。Littlethingsdonotirritatehim。