Shemighttalkon；andifhewantedtosayanythinghimself，hewouldonlytalklouder，anddrownhervoice。Butthequestionisnot，whetheritwouldbeabadconnexionforhim，butwhetherhewishesit；
andIthinkhedoes。Ihaveheardhimspeak，andsomustyou，soveryhighlyofJaneFairfax！Theinteresthetakesinher——
hisanxietyaboutherhealth——hisconcernthatsheshouldhavenohappierprospect！Ihaveheardhimexpresshimselfsowarmlyonthosepoints！——Suchanadmirerofherperformanceonthepianoforte，andofhervoice！Ihaveheardhimsaythathecouldlistentoherforever。Oh！andIhadalmostforgottenoneideathatoccurredtome——thispianofortethathasbeensentherebysomebody——
thoughwehaveallbeensowellsatisfiedtoconsideritapresentfromtheCampbells，mayitnotbefromMr。Knightley？Icannothelpsuspectinghim。Ithinkheisjustthepersontodoit，evenwithoutbeinginlove。”
“Thenitcanbenoargumenttoprovethatheisinlove。
ButIdonotthinkitisatallalikelythingforhimtodo。
Mr。Knightleydoesnothingmysteriously。”
“Ihaveheardhimlamentingherhavingnoinstrumentrepeatedly；
oftenerthanIshouldsupposesuchacircumstancewould，inthecommoncourseofthings，occurtohim。”
“Verywell；andifhehadintendedtogiveherone，hewouldhavetoldherso。”
“Theremightbescruplesofdelicacy，mydearEmma。Ihaveaverystrongnotionthatitcomesfromhim。IamsurehewasparticularlysilentwhenMrs。Coletoldusofitatdinner。”
“Youtakeupanidea，Mrs。Weston，andrunawaywithit；asyouhavemanyatimereproachedmewithdoing。Iseenosignofattachment——
Ibelievenothingofthepianoforte——andproofonlyshallconvincemethatMr。KnightleyhasanythoughtofmarryingJaneFairfax。”
Theycombatedthepointsometimelongerinthesameway；Emmarathergaininggroundoverthemindofherfriend；forMrs。Westonwasthemostusedofthetwotoyield；tillalittlebustleintheroomshewedthemthatteawasover，andtheinstrumentinpreparation；——
andatthesamemomentMr。ColeapproachingtoentreatMissWoodhousewoulddothemthehonouroftryingit。FrankChurchill，ofwhom，intheeagernessofherconversationwithMrs。Weston，shehadbeenseeingnothing，exceptthathehadfoundaseatbyMissFairfax，followedMr。Cole，toaddhisverypressingentreaties；andas，ineveryrespect，itsuitedEmmabesttolead，shegaveaverypropercompliance。
Sheknewthelimitationsofherownpowerstoowelltoattemptmorethanshecouldperformwithcredit；shewantedneithertastenorspiritinthelittlethingswhicharegenerallyacceptable，andcouldaccompanyherownvoicewell。Oneaccompanimenttohersongtookheragreeablybysurprize——asecond，slightlybutcorrectlytakenbyFrankChurchill。Herpardonwasdulybeggedatthecloseofthesong，andeverythingusualfollowed。Hewasaccusedofhavingadelightfulvoice，andaperfectknowledgeofmusic；
whichwasproperlydenied；andthatheknewnothingofthematter，andhadnovoiceatall，roundlyasserted。Theysangtogetheroncemore；andEmmawouldthenresignherplacetoMissFairfax，whoseperformance，bothvocalandinstrumental，shenevercouldattempttoconcealfromherself，wasinfinitelysuperiortoherown。
Withmixedfeelings，sheseatedherselfatalittledistancefromthenumbersroundtheinstrument，tolisten。FrankChurchillsangagain。
Theyhadsungtogetheronceortwice，itappeared，atWeymouth。
ButthesightofMr。Knightleyamongthemostattentive，soondrewawayhalfEmma’smind；andshefellintoatrainofthinkingonthesubjectofMrs。Weston’ssuspicions，towhichthesweetsoundsoftheunitedvoicesgaveonlymomentaryinterruptions。
HerobjectionstoMr。Knightley’smarryingdidnotintheleastsubside。
Shecouldseenothingbutevilinit。ItwouldbeagreatdisappointmenttoMr。JohnKnightley；consequentlytoIsabella。
Arealinjurytothechildren——amostmortifyingchange，andmateriallosstothemall；——averygreatdeductionfromherfather’sdailycomfort——and，astoherself，shecouldnotatallenduretheideaofJaneFairfaxatDonwellAbbey。AMrs。Knightleyforthemalltogivewayto！——No——Mr。Knightleymustnevermarry。
LittleHenrymustremaintheheirofDonwell。
PresentlyMr。Knightleylookedback，andcameandsatdownbyher。
Theytalkedatfirstonlyoftheperformance。Hisadmirationwascertainlyverywarm；yetshethought，butforMrs。Weston，itwouldnothavestruckher。Asasortoftouchstone，however，shebegantospeakofhiskindnessinconveyingtheauntandniece；
andthoughhisanswerwasinthespiritofcuttingthemattershort，shebelievedittoindicateonlyhisdisinclinationtodwellonanykindnessofhisown。
“Ioftenfeelconcern。”saidshe，“thatIdarenotmakeourcarriagemoreusefulonsuchoccasions。ItisnotthatIamwithoutthewish；
butyouknowhowimpossiblemyfatherwoulddeemitthatJamesshouldput-toforsuchapurpose。”
“Quiteoutofthequestion，quiteoutofthequestion。”hereplied；——
“butyoumustoftenwishit，Iamsure。”Andhesmiledwithsuchseemingpleasureattheconviction，thatshemustproceedanotherstep。
“ThispresentfromtheCampbells。”saidshe——“thispianoforteisverykindlygiven。”
“Yes。”hereplied，andwithoutthesmallestapparentembarrassment——
“Buttheywouldhavedonebetterhadtheygivenhernoticeofit。
Surprizesarefoolishthings。Thepleasureisnotenhanced，andtheinconvenienceisoftenconsiderable。IshouldhaveexpectedbetterjudgmentinColonelCampbell。”
Fromthatmoment，EmmacouldhavetakenheroaththatMr。Knightleyhadhadnoconcerningivingtheinstrument。Butwhetherhewereentirelyfreefrompeculiarattachment——whethertherewerenoactualpreference——remainedalittlelongerdoubtful。
TowardstheendofJane’ssecondsong，hervoicegrewthick。
“Thatwilldo。”saidhe，whenitwasfinished，thinkingaloud——
“youhavesungquiteenoughforoneevening——nowbequiet。”
Anothersong，however，wassoonbeggedfor。“Onemore；——theywouldnotfatigueMissFairfaxonanyaccount，andwouldonlyaskforonemore。”AndFrankChurchillwasheardtosay，“Ithinkyoucouldmanagethiswithouteffort；thefirstpartissoverytrifling。
Thestrengthofthesongfallsonthesecond。”
Mr。Knightleygrewangry。
“Thatfellow。”saidhe，indignantly，“thinksofnothingbutshewingoffhisownvoice。Thismustnotbe。”AndtouchingMissBates，whoatthatmomentpassednear——“MissBates，areyoumad，toletyourniecesingherselfhoarseinthismanner？Go，andinterfere。
Theyhavenomercyonher。”
MissBates，inherrealanxietyforJane，couldhardlystayeventobegrateful，beforeshesteptforwardandputanendtoallfarthersinging。Hereceasedtheconcertpartoftheevening，forMissWoodhouseandMissFairfaxweretheonlyyoungladyperformers；
butsoonwithinfiveminutestheproposalofdancing——
originatingnobodyexactlyknewwhere——wassoeffectuallypromotedbyMr。andMrs。Cole，thateverythingwasrapidlyclearingaway，togiveproperspace。Mrs。Weston，capitalinhercountry-dances，wasseated，andbeginninganirresistiblewaltz；andFrankChurchill，comingupwithmostbecominggallantrytoEmma，hadsecuredherhand，andledheruptothetop。
Whilewaitingtilltheotheryoungpeoplecouldpairthemselvesoff，Emmafoundtime，inspiteofthecomplimentsshewasreceivingonhervoiceandhertaste，tolookabout，andseewhatbecameofMr。Knightley。
Thiswouldbeatrial。Hewasnodanceringeneral。IfheweretobeveryalertinengagingJaneFairfaxnow，itmightaugursomething。
Therewasnoimmediateappearance。No；hewastalkingtoMrs。
Cole——
hewaslookingonunconcerned；Janewasaskedbysomebodyelse，andhewasstilltalkingtoMrs。Cole。
EmmahadnolongeranalarmforHenry；hisinterestwasyetsafe；
andsheledoffthedancewithgenuinespiritandenjoyment。
Notmorethanfivecouplecouldbemustered；buttherarityandthesuddennessofitmadeitverydelightful，andshefoundherselfwellmatchedinapartner。Theywereacoupleworthlookingat。
Twodances，unfortunately，wereallthatcouldbeallowed。
Itwasgrowinglate，andMissBatesbecameanxioustogethome，onhermother’saccount。Aftersomeattempts，therefore，tobepermittedtobeginagain，theywereobligedtothankMrs。Weston，looksorrowful，andhavedone。
“Perhapsitisaswell。”saidFrankChurchill，asheattendedEmmatohercarriage。“ImusthaveaskedMissFairfax，andherlanguiddancingwouldnothaveagreedwithme，afteryour’s。”
Chapter09CHAPTERIX
EmmadidnotrepenthercondescensioningoingtotheColes。
Thevisitaffordedhermanypleasantrecollectionsthenextday；
andallthatshemightbesupposedtohavelostonthesideofdignifiedseclusion，mustbeamplyrepaidinthesplendourofpopularity。ShemusthavedelightedtheColes——worthypeople，whodeservedtobemadehappy！——Andleftanamebehindherthatwouldnotsoondieaway。
Perfecthappiness，eveninmemory，isnotcommon；andthereweretwopointsonwhichshewasnotquiteeasy。Shedoubtedwhethershehadnottransgressedthedutyofwomanbywoman，inbetrayinghersuspicionsofJaneFairfax’sfeelingstoFrankChurchill。
Itwashardlyright；butithadbeensostronganidea，thatitwouldescapeher，andhissubmissiontoallthatshetold，wasacomplimenttoherpenetration，whichmadeitdifficultforhertobequitecertainthatsheoughttohaveheldhertongue。
TheothercircumstanceofregretrelatedalsotoJaneFairfax；
andthereshehadnodoubt。Shedidunfeignedlyandunequivocallyregrettheinferiorityofherownplayingandsinging。Shedidmostheartilygrieveovertheidlenessofherchildhood——andsatdownandpractisedvigorouslyanhourandahalf。
ShewastheninterruptedbyHarriet’scomingin；andifHarriet’spraisecouldhavesatisfiedher，shemightsoonhavebeencomforted。
“Oh！ifIcouldbutplayaswellasyouandMissFairfax！“
“Don’tclassustogether，Harriet。Myplayingisnomorelikeher’s，thanalampislikesunshine。”
“Oh！dear——Ithinkyouplaythebestofthetwo。Ithinkyouplayquiteaswellasshedoes。IamsureIhadmuchratherhearyou。
Everybodylastnightsaidhowwellyouplayed。”
“Thosewhoknewanythingaboutit，musthavefeltthedifference。
Thetruthis，Harriet，thatmyplayingisjustgoodenoughtobepraised，butJaneFairfax’sismuchbeyondit。”
“Well，Ialwaysshallthinkthatyouplayquiteaswellasshedoes，orthatifthereisanydifferencenobodywouldeverfinditout。
Mr。Colesaidhowmuchtasteyouhad；andMr。FrankChurchilltalkedagreatdealaboutyourtaste，andthathevaluedtastemuchmorethanexecution。”
“Ah！butJaneFairfaxhasthemboth，Harriet。”
“Areyousure？Isawshehadexecution，butIdidnotknowshehadanytaste。Nobodytalkedaboutit。AndIhateItaliansinging——
Thereisnounderstandingawordofit。Besides，ifshedoesplaysoverywell，youknow，itisnomorethansheisobligedtodo，becauseshewillhavetoteach。TheCoxeswerewonderinglastnightwhethershewouldgetintoanygreatfamily。HowdidyouthinktheCoxeslooked？“
“Justastheyalwaysdo——veryvulgar。”
“Theytoldmesomething。”saidHarrietratherhesitatingly；“
butitisnothingofanyconsequence。”
Emmawasobligedtoaskwhattheyhadtoldher，thoughfearfulofitsproducingMr。Elton。
“Theytoldme——thatMr。MartindinedwiththemlastSaturday。”
“Oh！“
“Hecametotheirfatheruponsomebusiness，andheaskedhimtostaytodinner。”
“Oh！“
“Theytalkedagreatdealabouthim，especiallyAnneCox。
Idonotknowwhatshemeant，butsheaskedmeifIthoughtI
shouldgoandstaythereagainnextsummer。”
“Shemeanttobeimpertinentlycurious，justassuchanAnneCoxshouldbe。”
“Shesaidhewasveryagreeablethedayhedinedthere。Hesatbyheratdinner。MissNashthinkseitheroftheCoxeswouldbeverygladtomarryhim。”
“Verylikely——Ithinktheyare，withoutexception，themostvulgargirlsinHighbury。”
HarriethadbusinessatFord’s——Emmathoughtitmostprudenttogowithher。AnotheraccidentalmeetingwiththeMartinswaspossible，andinherpresentstate，wouldbedangerous。
Harriet，temptedbyeverythingandswayedbyhalfaword，wasalwaysverylongatapurchase；andwhileshewasstillhangingovermuslinsandchanginghermind，Emmawenttothedoorforamusement——MuchcouldnotbehopedfromthetrafficofeventhebusiestpartofHighbury；——
Mr。Perrywalkinghastilyby，Mr。WilliamCoxlettinghimselfinattheoffice-door，Mr。Cole’scarriage-horsesreturningfromexercise，orastrayletter-boyonanobstinatemule，weretheliveliestobjectsshecouldpresumetoexpect；andwhenhereyesfellonlyonthebutcherwithhistray，atidyoldwomantravellinghomewardsfromshopwithherfullbasket，twocursquarrellingoveradirtybone，andastringofdawdlingchildrenroundthebaker’slittlebow-windoweyeingthegingerbread，sheknewshehadnoreasontocomplain，andwasamusedenough；quiteenoughstilltostandatthedoor。
Amindlivelyandatease，candowithseeingnothing，andcanseenothingthatdoesnotanswer。
ShelookeddowntheRandallsroad。Thesceneenlarged；
twopersonsappeared；Mrs。Westonandherson-in-law；theywerewalkingintoHighbury；——toHartfieldofcourse。Theywerestopping，however，inthefirstplaceatMrs。Bates’s；whosehousewasalittlenearerRandallsthanFord’s；andhadallbutknocked，whenEmmacaughttheireye——Immediatelytheycrossedtheroadandcameforwardtoher；andtheagreeablenessofyesterday’sengagementseemedtogivefreshpleasuretothepresentmeeting。
Mrs。WestoninformedherthatshewasgoingtocallontheBateses，inordertohearthenewinstrument。
“Formycompaniontellsme。”saidshe，“thatIabsolutelypromisedMissBateslastnight，thatIwouldcomethismorning。Iwasnotawareofitmyself。IdidnotknowthatIhadfixedaday，butashesaysIdid，Iamgoingnow。”
“AndwhileMrs。Westonpayshervisit，Imaybeallowed，Ihope。”
saidFrankChurchill，“tojoinyourpartyandwaitforheratHartfield——
ifyouaregoinghome。”
Mrs。Westonwasdisappointed。
“Ithoughtyoumeanttogowithme。Theywouldbeverymuchpleased。”
“Me！Ishouldbequiteintheway。But，perhaps——Imaybeequallyinthewayhere。MissWoodhouselooksasifshedidnotwantme。
Myauntalwayssendsmeoffwhensheisshopping。ShesaysIfidgethertodeath；andMissWoodhouselooksasifshecouldalmostsaythesame。WhatamItodo？“
“Iamhereonnobusinessofmyown。”saidEmma；“Iamonlywaitingformyfriend。Shewillprobablyhavesoondone，andthenweshallgohome。ButyouhadbettergowithMrs。Westonandheartheinstrument。”
“Well——ifyouadviseit——ButwithasmileifColonelCampbellshouldhaveemployedacarelessfriend，andifitshouldprovetohaveanindifferenttone——whatshallIsay？IshallbenosupporttoMrs。Weston。Shemightdoverywellbyherself。
Adisagreeabletruthwouldbepalatablethroughherlips，butI
amthewretchedestbeingintheworldatacivilfalsehood。”
“Idonotbelieveanysuchthing。”repliedEmma——“Iampersuadedthatyoucanbeasinsincereasyourneighbours，whenitisnecessary；
butthereisnoreasontosupposetheinstrumentisindifferent。
Quiteotherwiseindeed，ifIunderstoodMissFairfax’sopinionlastnight。”
“Docomewithme。”saidMrs。Weston，“ifitbenotverydisagreeabletoyou。Itneednotdetainuslong。WewillgotoHartfieldafterwards。
WewillfollowthemtoHartfield。Ireallywishyoutocallwithme。
Itwillbefeltsogreatanattention！andIalwaysthoughtyoumeantit。”
Hecouldsaynomore；andwiththehopeofHartfieldtorewardhim，returnedwithMrs。WestontoMrs。Bates’sdoor。Emmawatchedthemin，andthenjoinedHarrietattheinterestingcounter，——trying，withalltheforceofherownmind，toconvinceherthatifshewantedplainmuslinitwasofnousetolookatfigured；andthatablueribbon，beiteversobeautiful，wouldstillnevermatchheryellowpattern。
Atlastitwasallsettled，eventothedestinationoftheparcel。
“ShouldIsendittoMrs。Goddard’s，ma’am？“askedMrs。Ford——
“Yes——no——yes，toMrs。Goddard’s。OnlymypatterngownisatHartfield。No，youshallsendittoHartfield，ifyouplease。
Butthen，Mrs。Goddardwillwanttoseeit——AndIcouldtakethepatterngownhomeanyday。ButIshallwanttheribbondirectly——
soithadbettergotoHartfield——atleasttheribbon。Youcouldmakeitintotwoparcels，Mrs。Ford，couldnotyou？“
“Itisnotworthwhile，Harriet，togiveMrs。Fordthetroubleoftwoparcels。”
“Nomoreitis。”
“Notroubleintheworld，ma’am。”saidtheobligingMrs。Ford。
“Oh！butindeedIwouldmuchratherhaveitonlyinone。
Then，ifyouplease，youshallsenditalltoMrs。Goddard’s——
Idonotknow——No，Ithink，MissWoodhouse，ImayjustaswellhaveitsenttoHartfield，andtakeithomewithmeatnight。
Whatdoyouadvise？“
“Thatyoudonotgiveanotherhalf-secondtothesubject。
ToHartfield，ifyouplease，Mrs。Ford。”
“Aye，thatwillbemuchbest。”saidHarriet，quitesatisfied，“IshouldnotatallliketohaveitsenttoMrs。Goddard’s。”
Voicesapproachedtheshop——orratheronevoiceandtwoladies：
Mrs。WestonandMissBatesmetthematthedoor。
“MydearMissWoodhouse。”saidthelatter，“Iamjustrunacrosstoentreatthefavourofyoutocomeandsitdownwithusalittlewhile，andgiveusyouropinionofournewinstrument；youandMissSmith。
Howdoyoudo，MissSmith？——VerywellIthankyou——AndIbeggedMrs。Westontocomewithme，thatImightbesureofsucceeding。”
“IhopeMrs。BatesandMissFairfaxare——“
“Verywell，Iammuchobligedtoyou。Mymotherisdelightfullywell；
andJanecaughtnocoldlastnight。HowisMr。Woodhouse？——Iamsogladtohearsuchagoodaccount。Mrs。Westontoldmeyouwerehere——
Oh！then，saidI，Imustrunacross，IamsureMissWoodhousewillallowmejusttorunacrossandentreathertocomein；mymotherwillbesoveryhappytoseeher——andnowwearesuchaniceparty，shecannotrefuse——`Aye，praydo，’saidMr。FrankChurchill，`MissWoodhouse’sopinionoftheinstrumentwillbeworthhaving。’——
But，saidI，Ishallbemoresureofsucceedingifoneofyouwillgowithme——`Oh，’saidhe，`waithalfaminute，tillIhavefinishedmyjob；’——For，wouldyoubelieveit，MissWoodhouse，thereheis，inthemostobligingmannerintheworld，fasteningintherivetofmymother’sspectacles——Therivetcameout，youknow，thismorning——
Soveryobliging！——Formymotherhadnouseofherspectacles——
couldnotputthemon。And，bythebye，everybodyoughttohavetwopairofspectacles；theyshouldindeed。Janesaidso。
ImeanttotakethemovertoJohnSaundersthefirstthingIdid，butsomethingorotherhinderedmeallthemorning；firstonething，thenanother，thereisnosayingwhat，youknow。AtonetimePattycametosayshethoughtthekitchenchimneywantedsweeping。Oh，saidI，Pattydonotcomewithyourbadnewstome。Hereistherivetofyourmistress’sspectaclesout。Thenthebakedapplescamehome，Mrs。Wallissentthembyherboy；theyareextremelycivilandobligingtous，theWallises，always——IhaveheardsomepeoplesaythatMrs。Walliscanbeuncivilandgiveaveryrudeanswer，butwehaveneverknownanythingbutthegreatestattentionfromthem。Anditcannotbeforthevalueofourcustomnow，forwhatisourconsumptionofbread，youknow？Onlythreeofus——
besidesdearJaneatpresent——andshereallyeatsnothing——makessuchashockingbreakfast，youwouldbequitefrightenedifyousawit。
Idarenotletmymotherknowhowlittlesheeats——soIsayonethingandthenIsayanother，anditpassesoff。Butaboutthemiddleofthedayshegetshungry，andthereisnothingshelikessowellasthesebakedapples，andtheyareextremelywholesome，forItooktheopportunitytheotherdayofaskingMr。Perry；
Ihappenedtomeethiminthestreet。NotthatIhadanydoubtbefore——
IhavesooftenheardMr。Woodhouserecommendabakedapple。
IbelieveitistheonlywaythatMr。Woodhousethinksthefruitthoroughlywholesome。Wehaveapple-dumplings，however，veryoften。Pattymakesanexcellentapple-dumpling。Well，Mrs。Weston，youhaveprevailed，Ihope，andtheseladieswillobligeus。”
Emmawouldbe“veryhappytowaitonMrs。Bates，&；c……”andtheydidatlastmoveoutoftheshop，withnofartherdelayfromMissBatesthan，“Howdoyoudo，Mrs。Ford？Ibegyourpardon。Ididnotseeyoubefore。Ihearyouhaveacharmingcollectionofnewribbonsfromtown。Janecamebackdelightedyesterday。Thankye，theglovesdoverywell——onlyalittletoolargeaboutthewrist；
butJaneistakingthemin。”
“WhatwasItalkingof？“saidshe，beginningagainwhentheywereallinthestreet。
Emmawonderedonwhat，ofallthemedley，shewouldfix。
“IdeclareIcannotrecollectwhatIwastalkingof——Oh！mymother’sspectacles。SoveryobligingofMr。FrankChurchill！
`Oh！’saidhe，`IdothinkIcanfastentherivet；Ilikeajobofthiskindexcessively。’——Whichyouknowshewedhimtobesovery……IndeedImustsaythat，muchasIhadheardofhimbeforeandmuchasIhadexpected，heveryfarexceedsanything……Idocongratulateyou，Mrs。Weston，mostwarmly。
Heseemseverythingthefondestparentcould……`Oh！’saidhe，`Icanfastentherivet。Ilikeajobofthatsortexcessively。’
Inevershallforgethismanner。AndwhenIbroughtoutthebakedapplesfromthecloset，andhopedourfriendswouldbesoveryobligingastotakesome，`Oh！’saidhedirectly，`thereisnothinginthewayoffruithalfsogood，andthesearethefinest-lookinghome-bakedapplesIeversawinmylife。’That，youknow，wassovery……AndIamsure，byhismanner，itwasnocompliment。
Indeedtheyareverydelightfulapples，andMrs。Wallisdoesthemfulljustice——onlywedonothavethembakedmorethantwice，andMr。Woodhousemadeuspromisetohavethemdonethreetimes——
butMissWoodhousewillbesogoodasnottomentionit。Theapplesthemselvesaretheveryfinestsortforbaking，beyondadoubt；
allfromDonwell——someofMr。Knightley’smostliberalsupply。
Hesendsusasackeveryyear；andcertainlythereneverwassuchakeepingappleanywhereasoneofhistrees——Ibelievethereistwoofthem。Mymothersaystheorchardwasalwaysfamousinheryoungerdays。ButIwasreallyquiteshockedtheotherday——
forMr。Knightleycalledonemorning，andJanewaseatingtheseapples，andwetalkedaboutthemandsaidhowmuchsheenjoyedthem，andheaskedwhetherwewerenotgottotheendofourstock。
`Iamsureyoumustbe，’saidhe，`andIwillsendyouanothersupply；forIhaveagreatmanymorethanIcaneveruse。
WilliamLarkinsletmekeepalargerquantitythanusualthisyear。
Iwillsendyousomemore，beforetheygetgoodfornothing。’
SoIbeggedhewouldnot——forreallyastooursbeinggone，Icouldnotabsolutelysaythatwehadagreatmanyleft——itwasbuthalfadozenindeed；buttheyshouldbeallkeptforJane；andIcouldnotatallbearthatheshouldbesendingusmore，soliberalashehadbeenalready；andJanesaidthesame。Andwhenhewasgone，shealmostquarrelledwithme——No，Ishouldnotsayquarrelled，forweneverhadaquarrelinourlives；butshewasquitedistressedthatIhadownedtheapplesweresonearlygone；shewishedIhadmadehimbelievewehadagreatmanyleft。Oh，saidI，mydear，IdidsayasmuchasIcould。However，theverysameeveningWilliamLarkinscameoverwithalargebasketofapples，thesamesortofapples，abushelatleast，andIwasverymuchobliged，andwentdownandspoketoWilliamLarkinsandsaideverything，asyoumaysuppose。WilliamLarkinsissuchanoldacquaintance！
Iamalwaysgladtoseehim。But，however，IfoundafterwardsfromPatty，thatWilliamsaiditwasalltheapplesofthatsorthismasterhad；hehadbroughtthemall——andnowhismasterhadnotonelefttobakeorboil。Williamdidnotseemtomindithimself，hewassopleasedtothinkhismasterhadsoldsomany；forWilliam，youknow，thinksmoreofhismaster’sprofitthananything；
butMrs。Hodges，hesaid，wasquitedispleasedattheirbeingallsentaway。Shecouldnotbearthathermastershouldnotbeabletohaveanotherapple-tartthisspring。HetoldPattythis，butbidhernotmindit，andbesurenottosayanythingtousaboutit，forMrs。Hodgeswouldbecrosssometimes，andaslongassomanysacksweresold，itdidnotsignifywhoatetheremainder。
AndsoPattytoldme，andIwasexcessivelyshockedindeed！
IwouldnothaveMr。Knightleyknowanythingaboutitfortheworld！Hewouldbesovery……IwantedtokeepitfromJane’sknowledge；but，unluckily，IhadmentioneditbeforeIwasaware。”
MissBateshadjustdoneasPattyopenedthedoor；andhervisitorswalkedupstairswithouthavinganyregularnarrationtoattendto，pursuedonlybythesoundsofherdesultorygood-will。
“Praytakecare，Mrs。Weston，thereisastepattheturning。
Praytakecare，MissWoodhouse，oursisratheradarkstaircase——
ratherdarkerandnarrowerthanonecouldwish。MissSmith，praytakecare。MissWoodhouse，Iamquiteconcerned，Iamsureyouhityourfoot。MissSmith，thestepattheturning。”
Chapter10CHAPTERX
Theappearanceofthelittlesitting-roomastheyentered，wastranquillityitself；Mrs。Bates，deprivedofherusualemployment，slumberingononesideofthefire，FrankChurchill，atatablenearher，mostdeedilyoccupiedaboutherspectacles，andJaneFairfax，standingwithherbacktothem，intentonherpianoforte。
Busyashewas，however，theyoungmanwasyetabletoshewamosthappycountenanceonseeingEmmaagain。
“Thisisapleasure。”saidhe，inratheralowvoice，“comingatleasttenminutesearlierthanIhadcalculated。Youfindmetryingtobeuseful；tellmeifyouthinkIshallsucceed。”
“What！“saidMrs。Weston，“havenotyoufinishedityet？youwouldnotearnaverygoodlivelihoodasaworkingsilversmithatthisrate。”
“Ihavenotbeenworkinguninterruptedly。”hereplied，“IhavebeenassistingMissFairfaxintryingtomakeherinstrumentstandsteadily，itwasnotquitefirm；anunevennessinthefloor，Ibelieve。
Youseewehavebeenwedgingonelegwithpaper。Thiswasverykindofyoutobepersuadedtocome。Iwasalmostafraidyouwouldbehurryinghome。”
Hecontrivedthatsheshouldbeseatedbyhim；andwassufficientlyemployedinlookingoutthebestbakedappleforher，andtryingtomakeherhelporadvisehiminhiswork，tillJaneFairfaxwasquitereadytositdowntothepianoforteagain。Thatshewasnotimmediatelyready，Emmadidsuspecttoarisefromthestateofhernerves；
shehadnotyetpossessedtheinstrumentlongenoughtotouchitwithoutemotion；shemustreasonherselfintothepowerofperformance；
andEmmacouldnotbutpitysuchfeelings，whatevertheirorigin，andcouldnotbutresolvenevertoexposethemtoherneighbouragain。
AtlastJanebegan，andthoughthefirstbarswerefeeblygiven，thepowersoftheinstrumentweregraduallydonefulljusticeto。
Mrs。Westonhadbeendelightedbefore，andwasdelightedagain；
Emmajoinedherinallherpraise；andthepianoforte，witheveryproperdiscrimination，waspronouncedtobealtogetherofthehighestpromise。
“WhoeverColonelCampbellmightemploy。”saidFrankChurchill，withasmileatEmma，“thepersonhasnotchosenill。IheardagooddealofColonelCampbell’stasteatWeymouth；andthesoftnessoftheuppernotesIamsureisexactlywhatheandallthatpartywouldparticularlyprize。Idaresay，MissFairfax，thatheeithergavehisfriendveryminutedirections，orwrotetoBroadwoodhimself。
Donotyouthinkso？“
Janedidnotlookround。Shewasnotobligedtohear。Mrs。
Westonhadbeenspeakingtoheratthesamemoment。
“Itisnotfair。”saidEmma，inawhisper；“minewasarandomguess。
Donotdistressher。”
Heshookhisheadwithasmile，andlookedasifhehadverylittledoubtandverylittlemercy。Soonafterwardshebeganagain，“HowmuchyourfriendsinIrelandmustbeenjoyingyourpleasureonthisoccasion，MissFairfax。Idaresaytheyoftenthinkofyou，andwonderwhichwillbetheday，theprecisedayoftheinstrument’scomingtohand。DoyouimagineColonelCampbellknowsthebusinesstobegoingforwardjustatthistime？——Doyouimagineittobetheconsequenceofanimmediatecommissionfromhim，orthathemayhavesentonlyageneraldirection，anorderindefiniteastotime，todependuponcontingenciesandconveniences？“
Hepaused。Shecouldnotbuthear；shecouldnotavoidanswering，“TillIhavealetterfromColonelCampbell。”saidshe，inavoiceofforcedcalmness，“Icanimaginenothingwithanyconfidence。
Itmustbeallconjecture。”
“Conjecture——aye，sometimesoneconjecturesright，andsometimesoneconjectureswrong。IwishIcouldconjecturehowsoonIshallmakethisrivetquitefirm。Whatnonsenseonetalks，MissWoodhouse，whenhardatwork，ifonetalksatall；——yourrealworkmen，Isuppose，holdtheirtongues；butwegentlemenlabourersifwegetholdofaword——MissFairfaxsaidsomethingaboutconjecturing。
There，itisdone。Ihavethepleasure，madam，toMrs。Bates，
ofrestoringyourspectacles，healedforthepresent。”
Hewasverywarmlythankedbothbymotheranddaughter；toescapealittlefromthelatter，hewenttothepianoforte，andbeggedMissFairfax，whowasstillsittingatit，toplaysomethingmore。
“Ifyouareverykind。”saidhe，“itwillbeoneofthewaltzeswedancedlastnight；——letmelivethemoveragain。YoudidnotenjoythemasIdid；youappearedtiredthewholetime。Ibelieveyouweregladwedancednolonger；butIwouldhavegivenworlds——
alltheworldsoneeverhastogive——foranotherhalf-hour。”
Sheplayed。
“Whatfelicityitistohearatuneagainwhichhasmadeonehappy！——
IfImistakenotthatwasdancedatWeymouth。”
Shelookedupathimforamoment，coloureddeeply，andplayedsomethingelse。Hetooksomemusicfromachairnearthepianoforte，andturningtoEmma，said，“Hereissomethingquitenewtome。Doyouknowit？——Cramer——
AndhereareanewsetofIrishmelodies。That，fromsuchaquarter，onemightexpect。Thiswasallsentwiththeinstrument。
VerythoughtfulofColonelCampbell，wasnotit？——HeknewMissFairfaxcouldhavenomusichere。Ihonourthatpartoftheattentionparticularly；
itshewsittohavebeensothoroughlyfromtheheart。Nothinghastilydone；nothingincomplete。Trueaffectiononlycouldhavepromptedit。”
Emmawishedhewouldbelesspointed，yetcouldnothelpbeingamused；
andwhenonglancinghereyetowardsJaneFairfaxshecaughttheremainsofasmile，whenshesawthatwithallthedeepblushofconsciousness，therehadbeenasmileofsecretdelight，shehadlessscrupleintheamusement，andmuchlesscompunctionwithrespecttoher——Thisamiable，upright，perfectJaneFairfaxwasapparentlycherishingveryreprehensiblefeelings。
Hebroughtallthemusictoher，andtheylookeditovertogether——
Emmatooktheopportunityofwhispering，“Youspeaktooplain。Shemustunderstandyou。”
“Ihopeshedoes。Iwouldhaveherunderstandme。Iamnotintheleastashamedofmymeaning。”
“Butreally，Iamhalfashamed，andwishIhadnevertakenuptheidea。”
“Iamverygladyoudid，andthatyoucommunicatedittome。
Ihavenowakeytoallheroddlooksandways。Leaveshametoher。
Ifshedoeswrong，sheoughttofeelit。”
“Sheisnotentirelywithoutit，Ithink。”
“Idonotseemuchsignofit。SheisplayingRobinAdairatthismoment——hisfavourite。”
ShortlyafterwardsMissBates，passingnearthewindow，descriedMr。Knightleyonhorse-backnotfaroff。
“Mr。KnightleyIdeclare！——Imustspeaktohimifpossible，justtothankhim。Iwillnotopenthewindowhere；itwouldgiveyouallcold；butIcangointomymother’sroomyouknow。Idaresayhewillcomeinwhenheknowswhoishere。Quitedelightfultohaveyouallmeetso！——Ourlittleroomsohonoured！“
Shewasintheadjoiningchamberwhileshestillspoke，andopeningthecasementthere，immediatelycalledMr。Knightley’sattention，andeverysyllableoftheirconversationwasasdistinctlyheardbytheothers，asifithadpassedwithinthesameapartment。
“Howd’yedo？——howd’yedo？——Verywell，Ithankyou。Soobligedtoyouforthecarriagelastnight。Wewerejustintime；
mymotherjustreadyforus。Praycomein；docomein。Youwillfindsomefriendshere。”
SobeganMissBates；andMr。Knightleyseemeddeterminedtobeheardinhisturn，formostresolutelyandcommandinglydidhesay，“Howisyourniece，MissBates？——Iwanttoinquireafteryouall，butparticularlyyourniece。HowisMissFairfax？——Ihopeshecaughtnocoldlastnight。Howissheto-day？TellmehowMissFairfaxis。”
AndMissBateswasobligedtogiveadirectanswerbeforehewouldhearherinanythingelse。Thelistenerswereamused；
andMrs。WestongaveEmmaalookofparticularmeaning。ButEmmastillshookherheadinsteadyscepticism。
“Soobligedtoyou！——soverymuchobligedtoyouforthecarriage。”
resumedMissBates。
Hecuthershortwith，“IamgoingtoKingston。CanIdoanythingforyou？“
“Oh！dear，Kingston——areyou？——Mrs。ColewassayingtheotherdayshewantedsomethingfromKingston。”
“Mrs。Colehasservantstosend。CanIdoanythingforyou？“
“No，Ithankyou。Butdocomein。Whodoyouthinkishere？——
MissWoodhouseandMissSmith；sokindastocalltohearthenewpianoforte。DoputupyourhorseattheCrown，andcomein。”
“Well。”saidhe，inadeliberatingmanner，“forfiveminutes，perhaps。”
“AndhereisMrs。WestonandMr。FrankChurchilltoo！——Quitedelightful；
somanyfriends！“
“No，notnow，Ithankyou。Icouldnotstaytwominutes。
ImustgetontoKingstonasfastasIcan。”
“Oh！docomein。Theywillbesoveryhappytoseeyou。”
“No，no；yourroomisfullenough。Iwillcallanotherday，andhearthepianoforte。”
“Well，Iamsosorry！——Oh！Mr。Knightley，whatadelightfulpartylastnight；howextremelypleasant——Didyoueverseesuchdancing？——
Wasnotitdelightful？——MissWoodhouseandMr。FrankChurchill；
Ineversawanythingequaltoit。”
“Oh！verydelightfulindeed；Icansaynothingless，forIsupposeMissWoodhouseandMr。FrankChurchillarehearingeverythingthatpasses。AndraisinghisvoicestillmoreIdonotseewhyMissFairfaxshouldnotbementionedtoo。IthinkMissFairfaxdancesverywell；andMrs。Westonistheverybestcountry-danceplayer，withoutexception，inEngland。Now，ifyourfriendshaveanygratitude，theywillsaysomethingprettyloudaboutyouandmeinreturn；
butIcannotstaytohearit。”
“Oh！Mr。Knightley，onemomentmore；somethingofconsequence——
soshocked！——JaneandIarebothsoshockedabouttheapples！“
“Whatisthematternow？“
“Tothinkofyoursendingusallyourstoreapples。Yousaidyouhadagreatmany，andnowyouhavenotoneleft。Wereallyaresoshocked！
Mrs。Hodgesmaywellbeangry。WilliamLarkinsmentionedithere。
Youshouldnothavedoneit，indeedyoushouldnot。Ah！heisoff。
Henevercanbeartobethanked。ButIthoughthewouldhavestaidnow，anditwouldhavebeenapitynottohavementioned……Well，returningtotheroom，Ihavenotbeenabletosucceed。
Mr。Knightleycannotstop。HeisgoingtoKingston。Heaskedmeifhecoulddoanything……”
“Yes。”saidJane，“weheardhiskindoffers，weheardeverything。”
“Oh！yes，mydear，Idaresayyoumight，becauseyouknow，thedoorwasopen，andthewindowwasopen，andMr。Knightleyspokeloud。
Youmusthaveheardeverythingtobesure。`CanIdoanythingforyouatKingston？’saidhe；soIjustmentioned……Oh！
MissWoodhouse，mustyoubegoing？——Youseembutjustcome——soveryobligingofyou。”
Emmafounditreallytimetobeathome；thevisithadalreadylastedlong；andonexaminingwatches，somuchofthemorningwasperceivedtobegone，thatMrs。Westonandhercompaniontakingleavealso，couldallowthemselvesonlytowalkwiththetwoyoungladiestoHartfieldgates，beforetheysetoffforRandalls。
Chapter11CHAPTERXI
Itmaybepossibletodowithoutdancingentirely。Instanceshavebeenknownofyoungpeoplepassingmany，manymonthssuccessively，withoutbeingatanyballofanydescription，andnomaterialinjuryaccrueeithertobodyormind；——butwhenabeginningismade——
whenthefelicitiesofrapidmotionhaveoncebeen，thoughslightly，felt——itmustbeaveryheavysetthatdoesnotaskformore。
FrankChurchillhaddancedonceatHighbury，andlongedtodanceagain；
andthelasthalf-hourofaneveningwhichMr。WoodhousewaspersuadedtospendwithhisdaughteratRandalls，waspassedbythetwoyoungpeopleinschemesonthesubject。Frank’swasthefirstidea；
andhisthegreatestzealinpursuingit；fortheladywasthebestjudgeofthedifficulties，andthemostsolicitousforaccommodationandappearance。ButstillshehadinclinationenoughforshewingpeopleagainhowdelightfullyMr。FrankChurchillandMissWoodhousedanced——fordoingthatinwhichsheneednotblushtocompareherselfwithJaneFairfax——andevenforsimpledancingitself，withoutanyofthewickedaidsofvanity——toassisthimfirstinpacingouttheroomtheywereintoseewhatitcouldbemadetohold——andthenintakingthedimensionsoftheotherparlour，inthehopeofdiscovering，inspiteofallthatMr。Westoncouldsayoftheirexactlyequalsize，thatitwasalittlethelargest。
Hisfirstpropositionandrequest，thatthedancebegunatMr。Cole’sshouldbefinishedthere——thatthesamepartyshouldbecollected，andthesamemusicianengaged，metwiththereadiestacquiescence。
Mr。Westonenteredintotheideawiththoroughenjoyment，andMrs。Westonmostwillinglyundertooktoplayaslongastheycouldwishtodance；andtheinterestingemploymenthadfollowed，ofreckoningupexactlywhotherewouldbe，andportioningouttheindispensabledivisionofspacetoeverycouple。
“YouandMissSmith，andMissFairfax，willbethree，andthetwoMissCoxesfive。”hadbeenrepeatedmanytimesover。“AndtherewillbethetwoGilberts，youngCox，myfather，andmyself，besidesMr。Knightley。Yes，thatwillbequiteenoughforpleasure。
YouandMissSmith，andMissFairfax，willbethree，andthetwoMissCoxesfive；andforfivecoupletherewillbeplentyofroom。”
Butsoonitcametobeononeside，“Butwilltherebegoodroomforfivecouple？——Ireallydonotthinktherewill。”
Onanother，“Andafterall，fivecouplearenotenoughtomakeitworthwhiletostandup。Fivecouplearenothing，whenonethinksseriouslyaboutit。Itwillnotdotoinvitefivecouple。
Itcanbeallowableonlyasthethoughtofthemoment。”
SomebodysaidthatMissGilbertwasexpectedatherbrother’s，andmustbeinvitedwiththerest。SomebodyelsebelievedMrs。Gilbertwouldhavedancedtheotherevening，ifshehadbeenasked。AwordwasputinforasecondyoungCox；andatlast，Mr。Westonnamingonefamilyofcousinswhomustbeincluded，andanotherofveryoldacquaintancewhocouldnotbeleftout，itbecameacertaintythatthefivecouplewouldbeatleastten，andaveryinterestingspeculationinwhatpossiblemannertheycouldbedisposedof。
Thedoorsofthetworoomswerejustoppositeeachother。
“Mightnottheyusebothrooms，anddanceacrossthepassage？“
Itseemedthebestscheme；andyetitwasnotsogoodbutthatmanyofthemwantedabetter。Emmasaiditwouldbeawkward；
Mrs。Westonwasindistressaboutthesupper；andMr。Woodhouseopposeditearnestly，onthescoreofhealth。Itmadehimsoveryunhappy，indeed，thatitcouldnotbeperseveredin。
“Oh！no。”saidhe；“itwouldbetheextremeofimprudence。
IcouldnotbearitforEmma！——Emmaisnotstrong。Shewouldcatchadreadfulcold。SowouldpoorlittleHarriet。
Soyouwouldall。Mrs。Weston，youwouldbequitelaidup；
donotletthemtalkofsuchawildthing。Praydonotletthemtalkofit。Thatyoungmanspeakinglowerisverythoughtless。
Donottellhisfather，butthatyoungmanisnotquitethething。
Hehasbeenopeningthedoorsveryoftenthisevening，andkeepingthemopenveryinconsiderately。Hedoesnotthinkofthedraught。
Idonotmeantosetyouagainsthim，butindeedheisnotquitethething！“
Mrs。Westonwassorryforsuchacharge。Sheknewtheimportanceofit，andsaideverythinginherpowertodoitaway。Everydoorwasnowclosed，thepassageplangivenup，andthefirstschemeofdancingonlyintheroomtheywereinresortedtoagain；
andwithsuchgood-willonFrankChurchill’spart，thatthespacewhichaquarterofanhourbeforehadbeendeemedbarelysufficientforfivecouple，wasnowendeavouredtobemadeoutquiteenoughforten。
“Weweretoomagnificent。”saidhe。“Weallowedunnecessaryroom。
Tencouplemaystandhereverywell。”
Emmademurred。“Itwouldbeacrowd——asadcrowd；andwhatcouldbeworsethandancingwithoutspacetoturnin？“
“Verytrue。”hegravelyreplied；“itwasverybad。”Butstillhewentonmeasuring，andstillheendedwith，“Ithinktherewillbeverytolerableroomfortencouple。”
“No，no。”saidshe，“youarequiteunreasonable。Itwouldbedreadfultobestandingsoclose！Nothingcanbefartherfrompleasurethantobedancinginacrowd——andacrowdinalittleroom！“
“Thereisnodenyingit。”hereplied。“Iagreewithyouexactly。
Acrowdinalittleroom——MissWoodhouse，youhavetheartofgivingpicturesinafewwords。Exquisite，quiteexquisite！——Still，however，havingproceededsofar，oneisunwillingtogivethematterup。
Itwouldbeadisappointmenttomyfather——andaltogether——Idonotknowthat——Iamratherofopinionthattencouplemightstandhereverywell。”
Emmaperceivedthatthenatureofhisgallantrywasalittleself-willed，andthathewouldratheropposethanlosethepleasureofdancingwithher；butshetookthecompliment，andforgavetherest。Hadsheintendedevertomarryhim，itmighthavebeenworthwhiletopauseandconsider，andtrytounderstandthevalueofhispreference，andthecharacterofhistemper；butforallthepurposesoftheiracquaintance，hewasquiteamiableenough。
Beforethemiddleofthenextday，hewasatHartfield；andheenteredtheroomwithsuchanagreeablesmileascertifiedthecontinuanceofthescheme。Itsoonappearedthathecametoannounceanimprovement。
“Well，MissWoodhouse。”healmostimmediatelybegan，“yourinclinationfordancinghasnotbeenquitefrightenedaway，Ihope，bytheterrorsofmyfather’slittlerooms。Ibringanewproposalonthesubject：——athoughtofmyfather’s，whichwaitsonlyyourapprobationtobeactedupon。MayIhopeforthehonourofyourhandforthetwofirstdancesofthislittleprojectedball，tobegiven，notatRandalls，butattheCrownInn？“
“TheCrown！“
“Yes；ifyouandMr。Woodhouseseenoobjection，andItrustyoucannot，myfatherhopeshisfriendswillbesokindastovisithimthere。
Betteraccommodations，hecanpromisethem，andnotalessgratefulwelcomethanatRandalls。Itishisownidea。Mrs。Westonseesnoobjectiontoit，providedyouaresatisfied。Thisiswhatweallfeel。Oh！youwereperfectlyright！Tencouple，ineitheroftheRandallsrooms，wouldhavebeeninsufferable！——Dreadful！——Ifelthowrightyouwerethewholetime，butwastooanxiousforsecuringanythingtoliketoyield。Isnotitagoodexchange？——Youconsent——
Ihopeyouconsent？“
“Itappearstomeaplanthatnobodycanobjectto，ifMr。andMrs。Westondonot。Ithinkitadmirable；and，asfarasIcananswerformyself，shallbemosthappy——Itseemstheonlyimprovementthatcouldbe。Papa，doyounotthinkitanexcellentimprovement？“
Shewasobligedtorepeatandexplainit，beforeitwasfullycomprehended；andthen，beingquitenew，fartherrepresentationswerenecessarytomakeitacceptable。
“No；hethoughtitveryfarfromanimprovement——averybadplan——
muchworsethantheother。Aroomataninnwasalwaysdampanddangerous；neverproperlyaired，orfittobeinhabited。
Iftheymustdance，theyhadbetterdanceatRandalls。HehadneverbeenintheroomattheCrowninhislife——didnotknowthepeoplewhokeptitbysight——Oh！no——averybadplan。TheywouldcatchworsecoldsattheCrownthananywhere。”
“Iwasgoingtoobserve，sir。”saidFrankChurchill，“thatoneofthegreatrecommendationsofthischangewouldbetheverylittledangerofanybody’scatchingcold——
somuchlessdangerattheCrownthanatRandalls！Mr。Perrymighthavereasontoregretthealteration，butnobodyelsecould。”
“Sir。”saidMr。Woodhouse，ratherwarmly，“youareverymuchmistakenifyousupposeMr。Perrytobethatsortofcharacter。
Mr。Perryisextremelyconcernedwhenanyofusareill。ButI
donotunderstandhowtheroomattheCrowncanbesaferforyouthanyourfather’shouse。”
“Fromtheverycircumstanceofitsbeinglarger，sir。Weshallhavenooccasiontoopenthewindowsatall——notoncethewholeevening；
anditisthatdreadfulhabitofopeningthewindows，lettingincoldairuponheatedbodies，whichasyouwellknow，sirdoesthemischief。”
“Openthewindows！——butsurely，Mr。Churchill，nobodywouldthinkofopeningthewindowsatRandalls。Nobodycouldbesoimprudent！
Ineverheardofsuchathing。Dancingwithopenwindows！——Iamsure，neitheryourfathernorMrs。WestonpoorMissTaylorthatwas
wouldsufferit。”
“Ah！sir——butathoughtlessyoungpersonwillsometimesstepbehindawindow-curtain，andthrowupasash，withoutitsbeingsuspected。
Ihaveoftenknownitdonemyself。”
“Haveyouindeed，sir？——Blessme！Inevercouldhavesupposedit。
ButIliveoutoftheworld，andamoftenastonishedatwhatIhear。
However，thisdoesmakeadifference；and，perhaps，whenwecometotalkitover——butthesesortofthingsrequireagooddealofconsideration。Onecannotresolveupontheminahurry。
IfMr。andMrs。Westonwillbesoobligingastocallhereonemorning，wemaytalkitover，andseewhatcanbedone。”
“But，unfortunately，sir，mytimeissolimited——“
“Oh！“interruptedEmma，“therewillbeplentyoftimefortalkingeverythingover。Thereisnohurryatall。IfitcanbecontrivedtobeattheCrown，papa，itwillbeveryconvenientforthehorses。
Theywillbesoneartheirownstable。”
“Sotheywill，mydear。Thatisagreatthing。NotthatJamesevercomplains；butitisrighttospareourhorseswhenwecan。
IfIcouldbesureoftheroomsbeingthoroughlyaired——butisMrs。Stokestobetrusted？Idoubtit。Idonotknowher，evenbysight。”
“Icananswerforeverythingofthatnature，sir，becauseitwillbeunderMrs。Weston’scare。Mrs。Westonundertakestodirectthewhole。”
“There，papa！——Nowyoumustbesatisfied——OurowndearMrs。Weston，whoiscarefulnessitself。DonotyourememberwhatMr。Perrysaid，somanyyearsago，whenIhadthemeasles？`IfMissTaylorundertakestowrapMissEmmaup，youneednothaveanyfears，sir。’HowoftenhaveIheardyouspeakofitassuchacomplimenttoher！“
“Aye，verytrue。Mr。Perrydidsayso。Ishallneverforgetit。
PoorlittleEmma！Youwereverybadwiththemeasles；thatis，youwouldhavebeenverybad，butforPerry’sgreatattention。
Hecamefourtimesadayforaweek。Hesaid，fromthefirst，itwasaverygoodsort——whichwasourgreatcomfort；butthemeaslesareadreadfulcomplaint。IhopewheneverpoorIsabella’slittleoneshavethemeasles，shewillsendforPerry。”
“MyfatherandMrs。WestonareattheCrownatthismoment。”
saidFrankChurchill，“examiningthecapabilitiesofthehouse。
IleftthemthereandcameontoHartfield，impatientforyouropinion，andhopingyoumightbepersuadedtojointhemandgiveyouradviceonthespot。Iwasdesiredtosaysofromboth。Itwouldbethegreatestpleasuretothem，ifyoucouldallowmetoattendyouthere。
Theycandonothingsatisfactorilywithoutyou。”
Emmawasmosthappytobecalledtosuchacouncil；andherfather，engagingtothinkitalloverwhileshewasgone，thetwoyoungpeoplesetofftogetherwithoutdelayfortheCrown。TherewereMr。andMrs。Weston；delightedtoseeherandreceiveherapprobation，verybusyandveryhappyintheirdifferentway；she，insomelittledistress；andhe，findingeverythingperfect。
“Emma。”saidshe，“thispaperisworsethanIexpected。
Look！inplacesyouseeitisdreadfullydirty；andthewainscotismoreyellowandforlornthananythingIcouldhaveimagined。”
“Mydear，youaretooparticular。”saidherhusband。“Whatdoesallthatsignify？Youwillseenothingofitbycandlelight。
ItwillbeascleanasRandallsbycandlelight。Weneverseeanythingofitonourclub-nights。”
Theladieshereprobablyexchangedlookswhichmeant，“Menneverknowwhenthingsaredirtyornot；“andthegentlemenperhapsthoughteachtohimself，“Womenwillhavetheirlittlenonsensesandneedlesscares。”
Oneperplexity，however，arose，whichthegentlemendidnotdisdain。
Itregardedasupper-room。Atthetimeoftheballroom’sbeingbuilt，suppershadnotbeeninquestion；andasmallcard-roomadjoining，wastheonlyaddition。Whatwastobedone？Thiscard-roomwouldbewantedasacard-roomnow；or，ifcardswereconvenientlyvotedunnecessarybytheirfourselves，stillwasitnottoosmallforanycomfortablesupper？Anotherroomofmuchbettersizemightbesecuredforthepurpose；butitwasattheotherendofthehouse，andalongawkwardpassagemustbegonethroughtogetatit。
Thismadeadifficulty。Mrs。Westonwasafraidofdraughtsfortheyoungpeopleinthatpassage；andneitherEmmanorthegentlemencouldtoleratetheprospectofbeingmiserablycrowdedatsupper。
Mrs。Westonproposedhavingnoregularsupper；merelysandwiches，&；c。，setoutinthelittleroom；butthatwasscoutedasawretchedsuggestion。Aprivatedance，withoutsittingdowntosupper，waspronouncedaninfamousfraudupontherightsofmenandwomen；
andMrs。Westonmustnotspeakofitagain。Shethentookanotherlineofexpediency，andlookingintothedoubtfulroom，observed，“Idonotthinkitissoverysmall。Weshallnotbemany，youknow。”
AndMr。Westonatthesametime，walkingbrisklywithlongstepsthroughthepassage，wascallingout，“Youtalkagreatdealofthelengthofthispassage，mydear。
Itisamerenothingafterall；andnottheleastdraughtfromthestairs。”
“Iwish。”saidMrs。Weston，“onecouldknowwhicharrangementourguestsingeneralwouldlikebest。Todowhatwouldbemostgenerallypleasingmustbeourobject——ifonecouldbuttellwhatthatwouldbe。”
“Yes，verytrue。”criedFrank，“verytrue。Youwantyourneighbours’
opinions。Idonotwonderatyou。Ifonecouldascertainwhatthechiefofthem——theColes，forinstance。Theyarenotfaroff。
ShallIcalluponthem？OrMissBates？Sheisstillnearer——
AndIdonotknowwhetherMissBatesisnotaslikelytounderstandtheinclinationsoftherestofthepeopleasanybody。Ithinkwedowantalargercouncil。SupposeIgoandinviteMissBatestojoinus？“
“Well——ifyouplease。”saidMrs。Westonratherhesitating，“ifyouthinkshewillbeofanyuse。”
“YouwillgetnothingtothepurposefromMissBates。”saidEmma。
“Shewillbealldelightandgratitude，butshewilltellyounothing。
Shewillnotevenlistentoyourquestions。IseenoadvantageinconsultingMissBates。”
“Butsheissoamusing，soextremelyamusing！IamveryfondofhearingMissBatestalk。AndIneednotbringthewholefamily，youknow。”
HereMr。Westonjoinedthem，andonhearingwhatwasproposed，gaveithisdecidedapprobation。
“Aye，do，Frank——GoandfetchMissBates，andletusendthematteratonce。Shewillenjoythescheme，Iamsure；andIdonotknowapropererpersonforshewingushowtodoawaydifficulties。