Whendidithappenbefore，oranythinglikeit？Yourneighbourhoodisincreasing，andyoumixmorewithit。Alittlewhileago，everylettertoIsabellabroughtanaccountoffreshgaieties；
dinnersatMr。Cole’s，orballsattheCrown。ThedifferencewhichRandalls，Randallsalonemakesinyourgoings-on，isverygreat。”
“Yes。”saidhisbrotherquickly，“itisRandallsthatdoesitall。”
“Verywell——andasRandalls，Isuppose，isnotlikelytohavelessinfluencethanheretofore，itstrikesmeasapossiblething，Emma，thatHenryandJohnmaybesometimesintheway。Andiftheyare，Ionlybegyoutosendthemhome。”
“No。”criedMr。Knightley，“thatneednotbetheconsequence。
LetthembesenttoDonwell。Ishallcertainlybeatleisure。”
“Uponmyword。”exclaimedEmma，“youamuseme！Ishouldliketoknowhowmanyofallmynumerousengagementstakeplacewithoutyourbeingoftheparty；andwhyIamtobesupposedindangerofwantingleisuretoattendtothelittleboys。Theseamazingengagementsofmine——
whathavetheybeen？DiningoncewiththeColes——andhavingaballtalkedof，whichnevertookplace。Icanunderstandyou——noddingatMr。JohnKnightley——yourgoodfortuneinmeetingwithsomanyofyourfriendsatoncehere，delightsyoutoomuchtopassunnoticed。
Butyou，turningtoMr。Knightley，whoknowhowvery，veryseldomIamevertwohoursfromHartfield，whyyoushouldforeseesuchaseriesofdissipationforme，Icannotimagine。Andastomydearlittleboys，Imustsay，thatifAuntEmmahasnottimeforthem，IdonotthinktheywouldfaremuchbetterwithUncleKnightley，whoisabsentfromhomeaboutfivehourswheresheisabsentone——
andwho，whenheisathome，iseitherreadingtohimselforsettlinghisaccounts。”
Mr。Knightleyseemedtobetryingnottosmile；andsucceededwithoutdifficulty，uponMrs。Elton’sbeginningtotalktohim。
Chapter01VOLUME
III
CHAPTERI
AverylittlequietreflectionwasenoughtosatisfyEmmaastothenatureofheragitationonhearingthisnewsofFrankChurchill。
Shewassoonconvincedthatitwasnotforherselfshewasfeelingatallapprehensiveorembarrassed；itwasforhim。Herownattachmenthadreallysubsidedintoamerenothing；itwasnotworththinkingof；——
butifhe，whohadundoubtedlybeenalwayssomuchthemostinloveofthetwo，weretobereturningwiththesamewarmthofsentimentwhichhehadtakenaway，itwouldbeverydistressing。Ifaseparationoftwomonthsshouldnothavecooledhim，thereweredangersandevilsbeforeher：——cautionforhimandforherselfwouldbenecessary。
Shedidnotmeantohaveherownaffectionsentangledagain，anditwouldbeincumbentonhertoavoidanyencouragementofhis。
Shewishedshemightbeabletokeephimfromanabsolutedeclaration。
Thatwouldbesoverypainfulaconclusionoftheirpresentacquaintance！
andyet，shecouldnothelpratheranticipatingsomethingdecisive。
Shefeltasifthespringwouldnotpasswithoutbringingacrisis，anevent，asomethingtoalterherpresentcomposedandtranquilstate。
Itwasnotverylong，thoughratherlongerthanMr。Westonhadforeseen，beforeshehadthepowerofformingsomeopinionofFrankChurchill’sfeelings。TheEnscombefamilywerenotintownquitesosoonashadbeenimagined，buthewasatHighburyverysoonafterwards。Herodedownforacoupleofhours；hecouldnotyetdomore；butashecamefromRandallsimmediatelytoHartfield，shecouldthenexerciseallherquickobservation，andspeedilydeterminehowhewasinfluenced，andhowshemustact。Theymetwiththeutmostfriendliness。
Therecouldbenodoubtofhisgreatpleasureinseeingher。
Butshehadanalmostinstantdoubtofhiscaringforherashehaddone，ofhisfeelingthesametendernessinthesamedegree。
Shewatchedhimwell。Itwasaclearthinghewaslessinlovethanhehadbeen。Absence，withtheconvictionprobablyofherindifference，hadproducedthisverynaturalandverydesirableeffect。
Hewasinhighspirits；asreadytotalkandlaughasever，andseemeddelightedtospeakofhisformervisit，andrecurtooldstories：
andhewasnotwithoutagitation。Itwasnotinhiscalmnessthatshereadhiscomparativedifference。Hewasnotcalm；hisspiritswereevidentlyfluttered；therewasrestlessnessabouthim。
Livelyashewas，itseemedalivelinessthatdidnotsatisfyhimself；
butwhatdecidedherbeliefonthesubject，washisstayingonlyaquarterofanhour，andhurryingawaytomakeothercallsinHighbury。
“Hehadseenagroupofoldacquaintanceinthestreetashepassed——
hehadnotstopped，hewouldnotstopformorethanaword——buthehadthevanitytothinktheywouldbedisappointedifhedidnotcall，andmuchashewishedtostaylongeratHartfield，hemusthurryoff。”
Shehadnodoubtastohisbeinglessinlove——butneitherhisagitatedspirits，norhishurryingaway，seemedlikeaperfectcure；
andshewasratherinclinedtothinkitimpliedadreadofherreturningpower，andadiscreetresolutionofnottrustinghimselfwithherlong。
ThiswastheonlyvisitfromFrankChurchillinthecourseoftendays。
Hewasoftenhoping，intendingtocome——butwasalwaysprevented。
Hisauntcouldnotbeartohavehimleaveher。SuchwashisownaccountatRandall’s。Ifhewerequitesincere，ifhereallytriedtocome，itwastobeinferredthatMrs。Churchill’sremovaltoLondonhadbeenofnoservicetothewilfulornervouspartofherdisorder。
Thatshewasreallyillwasverycertain；hehaddeclaredhimselfconvincedofit，atRandalls。Thoughmuchmightbefancy，hecouldnotdoubt，whenhelookedback，thatshewasinaweakerstateofhealththanshehadbeenhalfayearago。Hedidnotbelieveittoproceedfromanythingthatcareandmedicinemightnotremove，oratleastthatshemightnothavemanyyearsofexistencebeforeher；
buthecouldnotbeprevailedon，byallhisfather’sdoubts，tosaythathercomplaintsweremerelyimaginary，orthatshewasasstrongasever。
ItsoonappearedthatLondonwasnottheplaceforher。Shecouldnotendureitsnoise。Hernerveswereundercontinualirritationandsuffering；andbythetendays’end，hernephew’slettertoRandallscommunicatedachangeofplan。TheyweregoingtoremoveimmediatelytoRichmond。Mrs。Churchillhadbeenrecommendedtothemedicalskillofaneminentpersonthere，andhadotherwiseafancyfortheplace。Aready-furnishedhouseinafavouritespotwasengaged，andmuchbenefitexpectedfromthechange。
EmmaheardthatFrankwroteinthehighestspiritsofthisarrangement，andseemedmostfullytoappreciatetheblessingofhavingtwomonthsbeforehimofsuchnearneighbourhoodtomanydearfriends——
forthehousewastakenforMayandJune。Shewastoldthatnowhewrotewiththegreatestconfidenceofbeingoftenwiththem，almostasoftenashecouldevenwish。
EmmasawhowMr。Westonunderstoodthesejoyousprospects。Hewasconsideringherasthesourceofallthehappinesstheyoffered。
Shehopeditwasnotso。Twomonthsmustbringittotheproof。
Mr。Weston’sownhappinesswasindisputable。Hewasquitedelighted。
Itwastheverycircumstancehecouldhavewishedfor。Now，itwouldbereallyhavingFrankintheirneighbourhood。Whatwereninemilestoayoungman？——Anhour’sride。Hewouldbealwayscomingover。
ThedifferenceinthatrespectofRichmondandLondonwasenoughtomakethewholedifferenceofseeinghimalwaysandseeinghimnever。Sixteenmiles——nay，eighteen——itmustbefulleighteentoManchester-street——wasaseriousobstacle。Wereheeverabletogetaway，thedaywouldbespentincomingandreturning。
TherewasnocomfortinhavinghiminLondon；hemightaswellbeatEnscombe；butRichmondwastheverydistanceforeasyintercourse。
Betterthannearer！
Onegoodthingwasimmediatelybroughttoacertaintybythisremoval，——
theballattheCrown。Ithadnotbeenforgottenbefore，butithadbeensoonacknowledgedvaintoattempttofixaday。Now，however，itwasabsolutelytobe；everypreparationwasresumed，andverysoonaftertheChurchillshadremovedtoRichmond，afewlinesfromFrank，tosaythathisauntfeltalreadymuchbetterforthechange，andthathehadnodoubtofbeingabletojointhemfortwenty-fourhoursatanygiventime，inducedthemtonameasearlyadayaspossible。
Mr。Weston’sballwastobearealthing。Averyfewto-morrowsstoodbetweentheyoungpeopleofHighburyandhappiness。
Mr。Woodhousewasresigned。Thetimeofyearlightenedtheeviltohim。MaywasbetterforeverythingthanFebruary。Mrs。
BateswasengagedtospendtheeveningatHartfield，Jameshadduenotice，andhesanguinelyhopedthatneitherdearlittleHenrynordearlittleJohnwouldhaveanythingthematterwiththem，whiledearEmmaweregone。
Chapter02CHAPTERII
Nomisfortuneoccurred，againtopreventtheball。Thedayapproached，thedayarrived；andafteramorningofsomeanxiouswatching，FrankChurchill，inallthecertaintyofhisownself，reachedRandallsbeforedinner，andeverythingwassafe。
NosecondmeetinghadthereyetbeenbetweenhimandEmma。
TheroomattheCrownwastowitnessit；——butitwouldbebetterthanacommonmeetinginacrowd。Mr。Westonhadbeensoveryearnestinhisentreatiesforherarrivingthereassoonaspossibleafterthemselves，forthepurposeoftakingheropinionastotheproprietyandcomfortoftheroomsbeforeanyotherpersonscame，thatshecouldnotrefusehim，andmustthereforespendsomequietintervalintheyoungman’scompany。ShewastoconveyHarriet，andtheydrovetotheCrowningoodtime，theRandallspartyjustsufficientlybeforethem。
FrankChurchillseemedtohavebeenonthewatch；andthoughhedidnotsaymuch，hiseyesdeclaredthathemeanttohaveadelightfulevening。Theyallwalkedabouttogether，toseethateverythingwasasitshouldbe；andwithinafewminuteswerejoinedbythecontentsofanothercarriage，whichEmmacouldnothearthesoundofatfirst，withoutgreatsurprize。
“Sounreasonablyearly！“shewasgoingtoexclaim；butshepresentlyfoundthatitwasafamilyofoldfriends，whowerecoming，likeherself，byparticulardesire，tohelpMr。Weston’sjudgment；andtheyweresoverycloselyfollowedbyanothercarriageofcousins，whohadbeenentreatedtocomeearlywiththesamedistinguishingearnestness，onthesameerrand，thatitseemedasifhalfthecompanymightsoonbecollectedtogetherforthepurposeofpreparatoryinspection。
EmmaperceivedthathertastewasnottheonlytasteonwhichMr。Westondepended，andfelt，thattobethefavouriteandintimateofamanwhohadsomanyintimatesandconfidantes，wasnottheveryfirstdistinctioninthescaleofvanity。
Shelikedhisopenmanners，butalittlelessofopen-heartednesswouldhavemadehimahighercharacter——Generalbenevolence，butnotgeneralfriendship，madeamanwhatheoughttobe——
Shecouldfancysuchaman。Thewholepartywalkedabout，andlooked，andpraisedagain；andthen，havingnothingelsetodo，formedasortofhalf-circleroundthefire，toobserveintheirvariousmodes，tillothersubjectswerestarted，that，thoughMay，afireintheeveningwasstillverypleasant。
EmmafoundthatitwasnotMr。Weston’sfaultthatthenumberofprivycouncillorswasnotyetlarger。TheyhadstoppedatMrs。Bates’sdoortooffertheuseoftheircarriage，buttheauntandnieceweretobebroughtbytheEltons。
Frankwasstandingbyher，butnotsteadily；therewasarestlessness，whichshewedamindnotatease。Hewaslookingabout，hewasgoingtothedoor，hewaswatchingforthesoundofothercarriages，——
impatienttobegin，orafraidofbeingalwaysnearher。
Mrs。Eltonwasspokenof。“Ithinkshemustbeheresoon。”saidhe。
“IhaveagreatcuriositytoseeMrs。Elton，Ihaveheardsomuchofher。Itcannotbelong，Ithink，beforeshecomes。”
Acarriagewasheard。Hewasonthemoveimmediately；
butcomingback，said，“IamforgettingthatIamnotacquaintedwithher。IhaveneverseeneitherMr。orMrs。Elton。Ihavenobusinesstoputmyselfforward。”
Mr。andMrs。Eltonappeared；andallthesmilesandtheproprietiespassed。
“ButMissBatesandMissFairfax！“saidMr。Weston，lookingabout。
“Wethoughtyouweretobringthem。”
Themistakehadbeenslight。Thecarriagewassentforthemnow。
EmmalongedtoknowwhatFrank’sfirstopinionofMrs。Eltonmightbe；howhewasaffectedbythestudiedeleganceofherdress，andhersmilesofgraciousness。Hewasimmediatelyqualifyinghimselftoformanopinion，bygivingherveryproperattention，aftertheintroductionhadpassed。
Inafewminutesthecarriagereturned——Somebodytalkedofrain——
“Iwillseethatthereareumbrellas，sir。”saidFranktohisfather：
“MissBatesmustnotbeforgotten：“andawayhewent。Mr。
Westonwasfollowing；butMrs。Eltondetainedhim，togratifyhimbyheropinionofhisson；andsobrisklydidshebegin，thattheyoungmanhimself，thoughbynomeansmovingslowly，couldhardlybeoutofhearing。
“Averyfineyoungmanindeed，Mr。Weston。YouknowIcandidlytoldyouIshouldformmyownopinion；andIamhappytosaythatIamextremelypleasedwithhim——Youmaybelieveme。Inevercompliment。
Ithinkhimaveryhandsomeyoungman，andhismannersarepreciselywhatIlikeandapprove——sotrulythegentleman，withouttheleastconceitorpuppyism。YoumustknowIhaveavastdisliketopuppies——
quiteahorrorofthem。TheywerenevertoleratedatMapleGrove。
NeitherMr。Sucklingnormehadeveranypatiencewiththem；andweusedsometimestosayverycuttingthings！Selina，whoismildalmosttoafault，borewiththemmuchbetter。”
Whileshetalkedofhisson，Mr。Weston’sattentionwaschained；
butwhenshegottoMapleGrove，hecouldrecollectthattherewereladiesjustarrivingtobeattendedto，andwithhappysmilesmusthurryaway。
Mrs。EltonturnedtoMrs。Weston。“IhavenodoubtofitsbeingourcarriagewithMissBatesandJane。Ourcoachmanandhorsesaresoextremelyexpeditious！——Ibelievewedrivefasterthananybody——
Whatapleasureitistosendone’scarriageforafriend！——
Iunderstandyouweresokindastooffer，butanothertimeitwillbequiteunnecessary。YoumaybeverysureIshallalwaystakecareofthem。”
MissBatesandMissFairfax，escortedbythetwogentlemen，walkedintotheroom；andMrs。EltonseemedtothinkitasmuchherdutyasMrs。Weston’storeceivethem。HergesturesandmovementsmightbeunderstoodbyanyonewholookedonlikeEmma；
butherwords，everybody’swords，weresoonlostundertheincessantflowofMissBates，whocameintalking，andhadnotfinishedherspeechundermanyminutesafterherbeingadmittedintothecircleatthefire。Asthedooropenedshewasheard，“Soveryobligingofyou！——Norainatall。Nothingtosignify。
Idonotcareformyself。Quitethickshoes。AndJanedeclares——
Well！——assoonasshewaswithinthedoorWell！Thisisbrilliantindeed！——Thisisadmirable！——Excellentlycontrived，uponmyword。
Nothingwanting。Couldnothaveimaginedit——Sowelllightedup！——
Jane，Jane，look！——didyoueverseeanything？Oh！Mr。Weston，youmustreallyhavehadAladdin’slamp。GoodMrs。Stokeswouldnotknowherownroomagain。IsawherasIcamein；
shewasstandingintheentrance。`Oh！Mrs。Stokes，’saidI——
butIhadnottimeformore。”ShewasnowmetbyMrs。Weston——
“Verywell，Ithankyou，ma’am。Ihopeyouarequitewell。
Veryhappytohearit。Soafraidyoumighthaveaheadach！——
seeingyoupassbysooften，andknowinghowmuchtroubleyoumusthave。
Delightedtohearitindeed。Ah！dearMrs。Elton，soobligedtoyouforthecarriage！——excellenttime。JaneandIquiteready。
Didnotkeepthehorsesamoment。Mostcomfortablecarriage——
Oh！andIamsureourthanksareduetoyou，Mrs。Weston，onthatscore。
Mrs。EltonhadmostkindlysentJaneanote，orweshouldhavebeen——
Buttwosuchoffersinoneday！——Neverweresuchneighbours。
Isaidtomymother，`Uponmyword，ma’am。’Thankyou，mymotherisremarkablywell。GonetoMr。Woodhouse’s。Imadehertakehershawl——fortheeveningsarenotwarm——herlargenewshawl——
Mrs。Dixon’swedding-present——Sokindofhertothinkofmymother！
BoughtatWeymouth，youknow——Mr。Dixon’schoice。Therewerethreeothers，Janesays，whichtheyhesitatedaboutsometime。
ColonelCampbellratherpreferredanolive。MydearJane，areyousureyoudidnotwetyourfeet？——Itwasbutadroportwo，butIamsoafraid：——butMr。FrankChurchillwassoextremely——
andtherewasamattostepupon——Ishallneverforgethisextremepoliteness——Oh！Mr。FrankChurchill，Imusttellyoumymother’sspectacleshaveneverbeeninfaultsince；therivetnevercameoutagain。Mymotheroftentalksofyourgood-nature。
Doesnotshe，Jane？——DonotweoftentalkofMr。FrankChurchill？——
Ah！here’sMissWoodhouse——DearMissWoodhouse，howdoyoudo？——
VerywellIthankyou，quitewell。Thisismeetingquiteinfairy-land！——
Suchatransformation！——Mustnotcompliment，IknoweyeingEmmamostcomplacently——thatwouldberude——butuponmyword，MissWoodhouse，youdolook——howdoyoulikeJane’shair？——Youareajudge——
Shediditallherself。Quitewonderfulhowshedoesherhair！——
NohairdresserfromLondonIthinkcould——Ah！Dr。HughesIdeclare——
andMrs。Hughes。MustgoandspeaktoDr。andMrs。Hughesforamoment——Howdoyoudo？Howdoyoudo？——Verywell，Ithankyou。
Thisisdelightful，isnotit？——Where’sdearMr。Richard？——
Oh！thereheis。Don’tdisturbhim。Muchbetteremployedtalkingtotheyoungladies。Howdoyoudo，Mr。Richard？——Isawyoutheotherdayasyourodethroughthetown——Mrs。Otway，Iprotest！——
andgoodMr。Otway，andMissOtwayandMissCaroline——Suchahostoffriends！——andMr。GeorgeandMr。Arthur！——Howdoyoudo？Howdoyoualldo？——Quitewell，Iammuchobligedtoyou。Neverbetter——
Don’tIhearanothercarriage？——Whocanthisbe？——verylikelytheworthyColes——Uponmyword，thisischarmingtobestandingaboutamongsuchfriends！Andsuchanoblefire！——Iamquiteroasted。
Nocoffee，Ithankyou，forme——nevertakecoffee——Alittleteaifyouplease，sir，byandbye，——nohurry——Oh！hereitcomes。
Everythingsogood！“
FrankChurchillreturnedtohisstationbyEmma；andassoonasMissBateswasquiet，shefoundherselfnecessarilyoverhearingthediscourseofMrs。EltonandMissFairfax，whowerestandingalittlewaybehindher——Hewasthoughtful。Whetherhewereoverhearingtoo，shecouldnotdetermine。AfteragoodmanycomplimentstoJaneonherdressandlook，complimentsveryquietlyandproperlytaken，Mrs。Eltonwasevidentlywantingtobecomplimentedherself——
anditwas，“Howdoyoulikemygown？——Howdoyoulikemytrimming？——
HowhasWrightdonemyhair？“——withmanyotherrelativequestions，allansweredwithpatientpoliteness。Mrs。Eltonthensaid，“NobodycanthinklessofdressingeneralthanIdo——butuponsuchanoccasionasthis，wheneverybody’seyesaresomuchuponme，andincomplimenttotheWestons——whoIhavenodoubtaregivingthisballchieflytodomehonour——Iwouldnotwishtobeinferiortoothers。AndIseeveryfewpearlsintheroomexceptmine——
SoFrankChurchillisacapitaldancer，Iunderstand——Weshallseeifourstylessuit——AfineyoungmancertainlyisFrankChurchill。
Ilikehimverywell。”
AtthismomentFrankbegantalkingsovigorously，thatEmmacouldnotbutimaginehehadoverheardhisownpraises，anddidnotwanttohearmore；——andthevoicesoftheladiesweredrownedforawhile，tillanothersuspensionbroughtMrs。Elton’stonesagaindistinctlyforward——Mr。Eltonhadjustjoinedthem，andhiswifewasexclaiming，“Oh！youhavefoundusoutatlast，haveyou，inourseclusion？——
IwasthismomenttellingJane，Ithoughtyouwouldbegintobeimpatientfortidingsofus。”
“Jane！“——repeatedFrankChurchill，withalookofsurprizeanddispleasure——
“Thatiseasy——butMissFairfaxdoesnotdisapproveit，Isuppose。”
“HowdoyoulikeMrs。Elton？“saidEmmainawhisper。
“Notatall。”
“Youareungrateful。”
“Ungrateful！——Whatdoyoumean？“Thenchangingfromafrowntoasmile——“No，donottellme——Idonotwanttoknowwhatyoumean——
Whereismyfather？——Whenarewetobegindancing？“
Emmacouldhardlyunderstandhim；heseemedinanoddhumour。
Hewalkedofftofindhisfather，butwasquicklybackagainwithbothMr。andMrs。Weston。Hehadmetwiththeminalittleperplexity，whichmustbelaidbeforeEmma。IthadjustoccurredtoMrs。WestonthatMrs。Eltonmustbeaskedtobegintheball；thatshewouldexpectit；whichinterferedwithalltheirwishesofgivingEmmathatdistinction——Emmaheardthesadtruthwithfortitude。
“Andwhatarewetodoforaproperpartnerforher？“saidMr。Weston。
“ShewillthinkFrankoughttoaskher。”
FrankturnedinstantlytoEmma，toclaimherformerpromise；
andboastedhimselfanengagedman，whichhisfatherlookedhismostperfectapprobationof——anditthenappearedthatMrs。WestonwaswantinghimtodancewithMrs。Eltonhimself，andthattheirbusinesswastohelptopersuadehimintoit，whichwasdoneprettysoon——
Mr。WestonandMrs。Eltonledtheway，Mr。FrankChurchillandMissWoodhousefollowed。EmmamustsubmittostandsecondtoMrs。Elton，thoughshehadalwaysconsideredtheballaspeculiarlyforher。
Itwasalmostenoughtomakeherthinkofmarrying。Mrs。Eltonhadundoubtedlytheadvantage，atthistime，invanitycompletelygratified；
forthoughshehadintendedtobeginwithFrankChurchill，shecouldnotlosebythechange。Mr。Westonmightbehisson’ssuperior——
Inspiteofthislittlerub，however，Emmawassmilingwithenjoyment，delightedtoseetherespectablelengthofthesetasitwasforming，andtofeelthatshehadsomanyhoursofunusualfestivitybeforeher——
ShewasmoredisturbedbyMr。Knightley’snotdancingthanbyanythingelse——Therehewas，amongthestanders-by，whereheoughtnottobe；heoughttobedancing，——notclassinghimselfwiththehusbands，andfathers，andwhist-players，whowerepretendingtofeelaninterestinthedancetilltheirrubbersweremadeup，——soyoungashelooked！——
Hecouldnothaveappearedtogreateradvantageperhapsanywhere，thanwherehehadplacedhimself。Histall，firm，uprightfigure，amongthebulkyformsandstoopingshouldersoftheelderlymen，wassuchasEmmafeltmustdraweverybody’seyes；and，exceptingherownpartner，therewasnotoneamongthewholerowofyoungmenwhocouldbecomparedwithhim——Hemovedafewstepsnearer，andthosefewstepswereenoughtoproveinhowgentlemanlikeamanner，withwhatnaturalgrace，hemusthavedanced，wouldhebuttakethetrouble——Whenevershecaughthiseye，sheforcedhimtosmile；butingeneralhewaslookinggrave。Shewishedhecouldloveaballroombetter，andcouldlikeFrankChurchillbetter——
Heseemedoftenobservingher。Shemustnotflatterherselfthathethoughtofherdancing，butifhewerecriticisingherbehaviour，shedidnotfeelafraid。Therewasnothinglikeflirtationbetweenherandherpartner。Theyseemedmorelikecheerful，easyfriends，thanlovers。ThatFrankChurchillthoughtlessofherthanhehaddone，wasindubitable。
Theballproceededpleasantly。Theanxiouscares，theincessantattentionsofMrs。Weston，werenotthrownaway。Everybodyseemedhappy；andthepraiseofbeingadelightfulball，whichisseldombestowedtillafteraballhasceasedtobe，wasrepeatedlygivenintheverybeginningoftheexistenceofthis。
Ofveryimportant，veryrecordableevents，itwasnotmoreproductivethansuchmeetingsusuallyare。Therewasone，however，whichEmmathoughtsomethingof——Thetwolastdancesbeforesupperwerebegun，andHarriethadnopartner；——theonlyyoungladysittingdown；——
andsoequalhadbeenhithertothenumberofdancers，thathowtherecouldbeanyonedisengagedwasthewonder！——ButEmma’swonderlessenedsoonafterwards，onseeingMr。Eltonsaunteringabout。
HewouldnotaskHarriettodanceifitwerepossibletobeavoided：
shewassurehewouldnot——andshewasexpectinghimeverymomenttoescapeintothecard-room。
Escape，however，wasnothisplan。Hecametothepartoftheroomwherethesitters-bywerecollected，spoketosome，andwalkedaboutinfrontofthem，asiftoshewhisliberty，andhisresolutionofmaintainingit。HedidnotomitbeingsometimesdirectlybeforeMissSmith，orspeakingtothosewhowereclosetoher——
Emmasawit。Shewasnotyetdancing；shewasworkingherwayupfromthebottom，andhadthereforeleisuretolookaround，andbyonlyturningherheadalittleshesawitall。Whenshewashalf-wayuptheset，thewholegroupwereexactlybehindher，andshewouldnolongerallowhereyestowatch；butMr。Eltonwassonear，thatsheheardeverysyllableofadialoguewhichjustthentookplacebetweenhimandMrs。Weston；andsheperceivedthathiswife，whowasstandingimmediatelyaboveher，wasnotonlylisteningalso，butevenencouraginghimbysignificantglances——Thekind-hearted，gentleMrs。Westonhadleftherseattojoinhimandsay，“Donotyoudance，Mr。Elton？“towhichhispromptreplywas，“Mostreadily，Mrs。Weston，ifyouwilldancewithme。”
“Me！——oh！no——Iwouldgetyouabetterpartnerthanmyself。
Iamnodancer。”
“IfMrs。Gilbertwishestodance。”saidhe，“Ishallhavegreatpleasure，Iamsure——for，thoughbeginningtofeelmyselfratheranoldmarriedman，andthatmydancingdaysareover，itwouldgivemeverygreatpleasureatanytimetostandupwithanoldfriendlikeMrs。Gilbert。”
“Mrs。Gilbertdoesnotmeantodance，butthereisayoungladydisengagedwhomIshouldbeverygladtoseedancing——MissSmith。”
“MissSmith！——oh！——Ihadnotobserved——Youareextremelyobliging——
andifIwerenotanoldmarriedman——Butmydancingdaysareover，Mrs。Weston。Youwillexcuseme。AnythingelseIshouldbemosthappytodo，atyourcommand——butmydancingdaysareover。”
Mrs。Westonsaidnomore；andEmmacouldimaginewithwhatsurprizeandmortificationshemustbereturningtoherseat。
ThiswasMr。Elton！theamiable，obliging，gentleMr。Elton——
Shelookedroundforamoment；hehadjoinedMr。Knightleyatalittledistance，andwasarranginghimselfforsettledconversation，whilesmilesofhighgleepassedbetweenhimandhiswife。
Shewouldnotlookagain。Herheartwasinaglow，andshefearedherfacemightbeashot。
Inanothermomentahappiersightcaughther；——Mr。KnightleyleadingHarriettotheset！——Neverhadshebeenmoresurprized，seldommoredelighted，thanatthatinstant。Shewasallpleasureandgratitude，bothforHarrietandherself，andlongedtobethankinghim；andthoughtoodistantforspeech，hercountenancesaidmuch，assoonasshecouldcatchhiseyeagain。
Hisdancingprovedtobejustwhatshehadbelievedit，extremelygood；andHarrietwouldhaveseemedalmosttoolucky，ifithadnotbeenforthecruelstateofthingsbefore，andfortheverycompleteenjoymentandveryhighsenseofthedistinctionwhichherhappyfeaturesannounced。Itwasnotthrownawayonher，sheboundedhigherthanever，flewfartherdownthemiddle，andwasinacontinualcourseofsmiles。
Mr。Eltonhadretreatedintothecard-room，lookingEmmatrusted
veryfoolish。Shedidnotthinkhewasquitesohardenedashiswife，thoughgrowingverylikeher；——shespokesomeofherfeelings，byobservingaudiblytoherpartner，“KnightleyhastakenpityonpoorlittleMissSmith！——Verygoodnatured，Ideclare。”
Supperwasannounced。Themovebegan；andMissBatesmightbeheardfromthatmoment，withoutinterruption，tillherbeingseatedattableandtakingupherspoon。
“Jane，Jane，mydearJane，whereareyou？——Hereisyourtippet。
Mrs。Westonbegsyoutoputonyourtippet。Shesayssheisafraidtherewillbedraughtsinthepassage，thougheverythinghasbeendone——Onedoornailedup——Quantitiesofmatting——MydearJane，indeedyoumust。Mr。Churchill，oh！youaretooobliging！
Howwellyouputiton！——sogratified！Excellentdancingindeed！——
Yes，mydear，Iranhome，asIsaidIshould，tohelpgrandmamatobed，andgotbackagain，andnobodymissedme——Isetoffwithoutsayingaword，justasItoldyou。Grandmamawasquitewell，hadacharmingeveningwithMr。Woodhouse，avastdealofchat，andbackgammon——Teawasmadedownstairs，biscuitsandbakedapplesandwinebeforeshecameaway：amazingluckinsomeofherthrows：
andsheinquiredagreatdealaboutyou，howyouwereamused，andwhowereyourpartners。`Oh！’saidI，`IshallnotforestallJane；
IleftherdancingwithMr。GeorgeOtway；shewilllovetotellyouallaboutitherselfto-morrow：herfirstpartnerwasMr。Elton，Idonotknowwhowillaskhernext，perhapsMr。WilliamCox。’
Mydearsir，youaretooobliging——Istherenobodyyouwouldnotrather？——Iamnothelpless。Sir，youaremostkind。
Uponmyword，Janeononearm，andmeontheother！——Stop，stop，letusstandalittleback，Mrs。Eltonisgoing；dearMrs。Elton，howelegantshelooks！——Beautifullace！——Nowweallfollowinhertrain。
Quitethequeenoftheevening！——Well，hereweareatthepassage。
Twosteps，Jane，takecareofthetwosteps。Oh！no，thereisbutone。Well，Iwaspersuadedthereweretwo。Howveryodd！
Iwasconvincedthereweretwo，andthereisbutone。Ineversawanythingequaltothecomfortandstyle——Candleseverywhere——Iwastellingyouofyourgrandmama，Jane，——Therewasalittledisappointment——
Thebakedapplesandbiscuits，excellentintheirway，youknow；
buttherewasadelicatefricasseeofsweetbreadandsomeasparagusbroughtinatfirst，andgoodMr。Woodhouse，notthinkingtheasparagusquiteboiledenough，sentitalloutagain。Nowthereisnothinggrandmamalovesbetterthansweetbreadandasparagus——
soshewasratherdisappointed，butweagreedwewouldnotspeakofittoanybody，forfearofitsgettingroundtodearMissWoodhouse，whowouldbesoverymuchconcerned！——Well，thisisbrilliant！
Iamallamazement！couldnothavesupposedanything！——Sucheleganceandprofusion！——Ihaveseennothinglikeitsince——
Well，whereshallwesit？whereshallwesit？Anywhere，sothatJaneisnotinadraught。WhereIsitisofnoconsequence。
Oh！doyourecommendthisside？——Well，Iamsure，Mr。Churchill——
onlyitseemstoogood——butjustasyouplease。Whatyoudirectinthishousecannotbewrong。DearJane，howshallweeverrecollecthalfthedishesforgrandmama？Souptoo！Blessme！
Ishouldnotbehelpedsosoon，butitsmellsmostexcellent，andI
cannothelpbeginning。”
EmmahadnoopportunityofspeakingtoMr。Knightleytillaftersupper；but，whentheywereallintheballroomagain，hereyesinvitedhimirresistiblytocometoherandbethanked。
HewaswarminhisreprobationofMr。Elton’sconduct；ithadbeenunpardonablerudeness；andMrs。Elton’slooksalsoreceivedthedueshareofcensure。
“TheyaimedatwoundingmorethanHarriet。”saidhe。“Emma，whyisitthattheyareyourenemies？“
Helookedwithsmilingpenetration；and，onreceivingnoanswer，added，“Sheoughtnottobeangrywithyou，Isuspect，whateverhemaybe——Tothatsurmise，yousaynothing，ofcourse；
butconfess，Emma，thatyoudidwanthimtomarryHarriet。”
“Idid。”repliedEmma，“andtheycannotforgiveme。”
Heshookhishead；buttherewasasmileofindulgencewithit，andheonlysaid，“Ishallnotscoldyou。Ileaveyoutoyourownreflections。”
“Canyoutrustmewithsuchflatterers？——DoesmyvainspiritevertellmeIamwrong？“
“Notyourvainspirit，butyourseriousspirit——Ifoneleadsyouwrong，Iamsuretheothertellsyouofit。”
“IdoownmyselftohavebeencompletelymistakeninMr。Elton。
Thereisalittlenessabouthimwhichyoudiscovered，andwhichI
didnot：andIwasfullyconvincedofhisbeinginlovewithHarriet。
Itwasthroughaseriesofstrangeblunders！“
“And，inreturnforyouracknowledgingsomuch，Iwilldoyouthejusticetosay，thatyouwouldhavechosenforhimbetterthanhehaschosenforhimself——HarrietSmithhassomefirst-ratequalities，whichMrs。Eltonistotallywithout。Anunpretending，single-minded，artlessgirl——
infinitelytobepreferredbyanymanofsenseandtastetosuchawomanasMrs。Elton。IfoundHarrietmoreconversablethanI
expected。”
Emmawasextremelygratified——TheywereinterruptedbythebustleofMr。Westoncallingoneverybodytobegindancingagain。
“ComeMissWoodhouse，MissOtway，MissFairfax，whatareyoualldoing？——
ComeEmma，setyourcompanionstheexample。Everybodyislazy！
Everybodyisasleep！“
“Iamready。”saidEmma，“wheneverIamwanted。”
“Whomareyougoingtodancewith？“askedMr。Knightley。
Shehesitatedamoment，andthenreplied，“Withyou，ifyouwillaskme。”
“Willyou？“saidhe，offeringhishand。
“IndeedIwill。Youhaveshewnthatyoucandance，andyouknowwearenotreallysomuchbrotherandsisterastomakeitatallimproper。”
“Brotherandsister！no，indeed。”
Chapter03CHAPTERIII
ThislittleexplanationwithMr。KnightleygaveEmmaconsiderablepleasure。Itwasoneoftheagreeablerecollectionsoftheball，whichshewalkedaboutthelawnthenextmorningtoenjoy——ShewasextremelygladthattheyhadcometosogoodanunderstandingrespectingtheEltons，andthattheiropinionsofbothhusbandandwifeweresomuchalike；andhispraiseofHarriet，hisconcessioninherfavour，waspeculiarlygratifying。TheimpertinenceoftheEltons，whichforafewminuteshadthreatenedtoruintherestofherevening，hadbeentheoccasionofsomeofitshighestsatisfactions；andshelookedforwardtoanotherhappyresult——thecureofHarriet’sinfatuation——
FromHarriet’smannerofspeakingofthecircumstancebeforetheyquittedtheballroom，shehadstronghopes。Itseemedasifhereyesweresuddenlyopened，andshewereenabledtoseethatMr。Eltonwasnotthesuperiorcreatureshehadbelievedhim。Thefeverwasover，andEmmacouldharbourlittlefearofthepulsebeingquickenedagainbyinjuriouscourtesy。ShedependedontheevilfeelingsoftheEltonsforsupplyingallthedisciplineofpointedneglectthatcouldbefartherrequisite——Harrietrational，FrankChurchillnottoomuchinlove，andMr。Knightleynotwantingtoquarrelwithher，howveryhappyasummermustbebeforeher！
ShewasnottoseeFrankChurchillthismorning。HehadtoldherthathecouldnotallowhimselfthepleasureofstoppingatHartfield，ashewastobeathomebythemiddleoftheday。
Shedidnotregretit。
Havingarrangedallthesematters，lookedthemthrough，andputthemalltorights，shewasjustturningtothehousewithspiritsfreshenedupforthedemandsofthetwolittleboys，aswellasoftheirgrandpapa，whenthegreatironsweep-gateopened，andtwopersonsenteredwhomshehadneverlessexpectedtoseetogether——FrankChurchill，withHarrietleaningonhisarm——actuallyHarriet！——Amomentsufficedtoconvinceherthatsomethingextraordinaryhadhappened。
Harrietlookedwhiteandfrightened，andhewastryingtocheerher——
Theirongatesandthefront-doorwerenottwentyyardsasunder；——
theywereallthreesooninthehall，andHarrietimmediatelysinkingintoachairfaintedaway。
Ayoungladywhofaints，mustberecovered；questionsmustbeanswered，andsurprizesbeexplained。Sucheventsareveryinteresting，butthesuspenseofthemcannotlastlong。AfewminutesmadeEmmaacquaintedwiththewhole。
MissSmith，andMissBickerton，anotherparlourboarderatMrs。Goddard’s，whohadbeenalsoattheball，hadwalkedouttogether，andtakenaroad，theRichmondroad，which，thoughapparentlypublicenoughforsafety，hadledthemintoalarm——AbouthalfamilebeyondHighbury，makingasuddenturn，anddeeplyshadedbyelmsoneachside，itbecameforaconsiderablestretchveryretired；
andwhentheyoungladieshadadvancedsomewayintoit，theyhadsuddenlyperceivedatasmalldistancebeforethem，onabroaderpatchofgreenswardbytheside，apartyofgipsies。
Achildonthewatch，cametowardsthemtobeg；andMissBickerton，excessivelyfrightened，gaveagreatscream，andcallingonHarriettofollowher，ranupasteepbank，clearedaslighthedgeatthetop，andmadethebestofherwaybyashortcutbacktoHighbury。
ButpoorHarrietcouldnotfollow。Shehadsufferedverymuchfromcrampafterdancing，andherfirstattempttomountthebankbroughtonsuchareturnofitasmadeherabsolutelypowerless——
andinthisstate，andexceedinglyterrified，shehadbeenobligedtoremain。
Howthetrampersmighthavebehaved，hadtheyoungladiesbeenmorecourageous，mustbedoubtful；butsuchaninvitationforattackcouldnotberesisted；andHarrietwassoonassailedbyhalfadozenchildren，headedbyastoutwomanandagreatboy，allclamorous，andimpertinentinlook，thoughnotabsolutelyinword——Moreandmorefrightened，sheimmediatelypromisedthemmoney，andtakingoutherpurse，gavethemashilling，andbeggedthemnottowantmore，ortouseherill——Shewasthenabletowalk，thoughbutslowly，andwasmovingaway——butherterrorandherpurseweretootempting，andshewasfollowed，orrathersurrounded，bythewholegang，demandingmore。
InthisstateFrankChurchillhadfoundher，shetremblingandconditioning，theyloudandinsolent。ByamostfortunatechancehisleavingHighburyhadbeendelayedsoastobringhimtoherassistanceatthiscriticalmoment。Thepleasantnessofthemorninghadinducedhimtowalkforward，andleavehishorsestomeethimbyanotherroad，amileortwobeyondHighbury——
andhappeningtohaveborrowedapairofscissorsthenightbeforeofMissBates，andtohaveforgottentorestorethem，hehadbeenobligedtostopatherdoor，andgoinforafewminutes：
hewasthereforelaterthanhehadintended；andbeingonfoot，wasunseenbythewholepartytillalmostclosetothem。
TheterrorwhichthewomanandboyhadbeencreatinginHarrietwasthentheirownportion。Hehadleftthemcompletelyfrightened；
andHarrieteagerlyclingingtohim，andhardlyabletospeak，hadjuststrengthenoughtoreachHartfield，beforeherspiritswerequiteovercome。ItwashisideatobringhertoHartfield：
hehadthoughtofnootherplace。
Thiswastheamountofthewholestory，——ofhiscommunicationandofHarriet’sassoonasshehadrecoveredhersensesandspeech——
Hedarednotstaylongerthantoseeherwell；theseseveraldelayslefthimnotanotherminutetolose；andEmmaengagingtogiveassuranceofhersafetytoMrs。Goddard，andnoticeoftherebeingsuchasetofpeopleintheneighbourhoodtoMr。Knightley，hesetoff，withallthegratefulblessingsthatshecouldutterforherfriendandherself。
Suchanadventureasthis，——afineyoungmanandalovelyyoungwomanthrowntogetherinsuchaway，couldhardlyfailofsuggestingcertainideastothecoldestheartandthesteadiestbrain。
SoEmmathought，atleast。Couldalinguist，couldagrammarian，couldevenamathematicianhaveseenwhatshedid，havewitnessedtheirappearancetogether，andheardtheirhistoryofit，withoutfeelingthatcircumstanceshadbeenatworktomakethempeculiarlyinterestingtoeachother？——Howmuchmoremustanimaginist，likeherself，beonfirewithspeculationandforesight！——especiallywithsuchagroundworkofanticipationashermindhadalreadymade。
Itwasaveryextraordinarything！Nothingofthesorthadeveroccurredbeforetoanyyoungladiesintheplace，withinhermemory；
norencontre，noalarmofthekind；——andnowithadhappenedtotheveryperson，andattheveryhour，whentheotherverypersonwaschancingtopassbytorescueher！——Itcertainlywasveryextraordinary！——Andknowing，asshedid，thefavourablestateofmindofeachatthisperiod，itstruckherthemore。
Hewaswishingtogetthebetterofhisattachmenttoherself，shejustrecoveringfromhermaniaforMr。Elton。Itseemedasifeverythingunitedtopromisethemostinterestingconsequences。
Itwasnotpossiblethattheoccurrenceshouldnotbestronglyrecommendingeachtotheother。
Inthefewminutes’conversationwhichshehadyethadwithhim，whileHarriethadbeenpartiallyinsensible，hehadspokenofherterror，hernaivete，herfervourassheseizedandclungtohisarm，withasensibilityamusedanddelighted；andjustatlast，afterHarriet’sownaccounthadbeengiven，hehadexpressedhisindignationattheabominablefollyofMissBickertoninthewarmestterms。
Everythingwastotakeitsnaturalcourse，however，neitherimpellednorassisted。Shewouldnotstirastep，nordropahint。
No，shehadhadenoughofinterference。Therecouldbenoharminascheme，amerepassivescheme。Itwasnomorethanawish。
Beyonditshewouldonnoaccountproceed。
Emma’sfirstresolutionwastokeepherfatherfromtheknowledgeofwhathadpassed，——awareoftheanxietyandalarmitwouldoccasion：
butshesoonfeltthatconcealmentmustbeimpossible。WithinhalfanhouritwasknownalloverHighbury。Itwastheveryeventtoengagethosewhotalkmost，theyoungandthelow；andalltheyouthandservantsintheplaceweresooninthehappinessoffrightfulnews。Thelastnight’sballseemedlostinthegipsies。
PoorMr。Woodhousetrembledashesat，and，asEmmahadforeseen，wouldscarcelybesatisfiedwithouttheirpromisingnevertogobeyondtheshrubberyagain。ItwassomecomforttohimthatmanyinquiriesafterhimselfandMissWoodhouseforhisneighboursknewthathelovedtobeinquiredafter，aswellasMissSmith，werecominginduringtherestoftheday；andhehadthepleasureofreturningforanswer，thattheywereallveryindifferent——
which，thoughnotexactlytrue，forshewasperfectlywell，andHarrietnotmuchotherwise，Emmawouldnotinterferewith。
Shehadanunhappystateofhealthingeneralforthechildofsuchaman，forshehardlyknewwhatindispositionwas；andifhedidnotinventillnessesforher，shecouldmakenofigureinamessage。
Thegipsiesdidnotwaitfortheoperationsofjustice；theytookthemselvesoffinahurry。TheyoungladiesofHighburymighthavewalkedagaininsafetybeforetheirpanicbegan，andthewholehistorydwindledsoonintoamatteroflittleimportancebuttoEmmaandhernephews：——inherimaginationitmaintaineditsground，andHenryandJohnwerestillaskingeverydayforthestoryofHarrietandthegipsies，andstilltenaciouslysettingherrightifshevariedintheslightestparticularfromtheoriginalrecital。
Chapter04CHAPTERIV
Averyfewdayshadpassedafterthisadventure，whenHarrietcameonemorningtoEmmawithasmallparcelinherhand，andaftersittingdownandhesitating，thusbegan：
“MissWoodhouse——ifyouareatleisure——IhavesomethingthatI
shouldliketotellyou——asortofconfessiontomake——andthen，youknow，itwillbeover。”
Emmawasagooddealsurprized；butbeggedhertospeak。
TherewasaseriousnessinHarriet’smannerwhichpreparedher，quiteasmuchasherwords，forsomethingmorethanordinary。
“Itismyduty，andIamsureitismywish。”shecontinued，“tohavenoreserveswithyouonthissubject。AsIamhappilyquiteanalteredcreatureinonerespect，itisveryfitthatyoushouldhavethesatisfactionofknowingit。Idonotwanttosaymorethanisnecessary——IamtoomuchashamedofhavinggivenwayasIhavedone，andIdaresayyouunderstandme。”
“Yes。”saidEmma，“IhopeIdo。”
“HowIcouldsolongatimebefancyingmyself！……”
criedHarriet，warmly。“Itseemslikemadness！Icanseenothingatallextraordinaryinhimnow——IdonotcarewhetherImeethimornot——exceptthatofthetwoIhadrathernotseehim——
andindeedIwouldgoanydistanceroundtoavoidhim——butIdonotenvyhiswifeintheleast；Ineitheradmirehernorenvyher，asIhavedone：sheisverycharming，Idaresay，andallthat，butIthinkherveryill-temperedanddisagreeable——Ishallneverforgetherlooktheothernight！——However，Iassureyou，MissWoodhouse，Iwishhernoevil——No，letthembeeversohappytogether，itwillnotgivemeanothermoment’spang：andtoconvinceyouthatIhavebeenspeakingtruth，Iamnowgoingtodestroy——whatI
oughttohavedestroyedlongago——whatIoughtnevertohavekept——
Iknowthatverywellblushingasshespoke——However，nowI
willdestroyitall——anditismyparticularwishtodoitinyourpresence，thatyoumayseehowrationalIamgrown。
Cannotyouguesswhatthisparcelholds？“saidshe，withaconsciouslook。
“Nottheleastintheworld——Didheevergiveyouanything？“
“No——Icannotcallthemgifts；buttheyarethingsthatIhavevaluedverymuch。”
Sheheldtheparceltowardsher，andEmmareadthewordsMostprecioustreasuresonthetop。Hercuriositywasgreatlyexcited。
Harrietunfoldedtheparcel，andshelookedonwithimpatience。
WithinabundanceofsilverpaperwasaprettylittleTunbridge-warebox，whichHarrietopened：itwaswelllinedwiththesoftestcotton；
but，exceptingthecotton，Emmasawonlyasmallpieceofcourt-plaister。
“Now。”saidHarriet，“youmustrecollect。”
“No，indeedIdonot。”
“Dearme！Ishouldnothavethoughtitpossibleyoucouldforgetwhatpassedinthisveryroomaboutcourt-plaister，oneoftheverylasttimesweevermetinit！——ItwasbutaveryfewdaysbeforeI
hadmysorethroat——justbeforeMr。andMrs。JohnKnightleycame——
Ithinktheveryevening——Donotyourememberhiscuttinghisfingerwithyournewpenknife，andyourrecommendingcourt-plaister？——
But，asyouhadnoneaboutyou，andknewIhad，youdesiredmetosupplyhim；andsoItookmineoutandcuthimapiece；
butitwasagreatdealtoolarge，andhecutitsmaller，andkeptplayingsometimewithwhatwasleft，beforehegaveitbacktome。
Andsothen，inmynonsense，Icouldnothelpmakingatreasureofit——
soIputitbynevertobeused，andlookedatitnowandthenasagreattreat。”
“MydearestHarriet！“criedEmma，puttingherhandbeforeherface，andjumpingup，“youmakememoreashamedofmyselfthanIcanbear。
Rememberit？Aye，Irememberitallnow；all，exceptyoursavingthisrelic——Iknewnothingofthattillthismoment——butthecuttingthefinger，andmyrecommendingcourt-plaister，andsayingIhadnoneaboutme！——Oh！mysins，mysins！——AndIhadplentyallthewhileinmypocket！——Oneofmysenselesstricks！——Ideservetobeunderacontinualblushalltherestofmylife——Well——sittingdownagain——
goon——whatelse？“
“Andhadyoureallysomeathandyourself？IamsureIneversuspectedit，youdiditsonaturally。”
“Andsoyouactuallyputthispieceofcourt-plaisterbyforhissake！“
saidEmma，recoveringfromherstateofshameandfeelingdividedbetweenwonderandamusement。Andsecretlysheaddedtoherself，“Lordblessme！whenshouldIeverhavethoughtofputtingbyincottonapieceofcourt-plaisterthatFrankChurchillhadbeenpullingabout！
Ineverwasequaltothis。”
“Here。”resumedHarriet，turningtoherboxagain，“hereissomethingstillmorevaluable，Imeanthathasbeenmorevaluable，becausethisiswhatdidreallyoncebelongtohim，whichthecourt-plaisterneverdid。”
Emmawasquiteeagertoseethissuperiortreasure。Itwastheendofanoldpencil，——thepartwithoutanylead。
“Thiswasreallyhis。”saidHarriet——“Donotyourememberonemorning？——no，Idaresayyoudonot。Butonemorning——Iforgetexactlytheday——butperhapsitwastheTuesdayorWednesdaybeforethatevening，hewantedtomakeamemoranduminhispocket-book；
itwasaboutspruce-beer。Mr。Knightleyhadbeentellinghimsomethingaboutbrewingspruce-beer，andhewantedtoputitdown；
butwhenhetookouthispencil，therewassolittleleadthathesooncutitallaway，anditwouldnotdo，soyoulenthimanother，andthiswasleftuponthetableasgoodfornothing。ButIkeptmyeyeonit；and，assoonasIdared，caughtitup，andneverpartedwithitagainfromthatmoment。”
“Idorememberit。”criedEmma；“Iperfectlyrememberit——
Talkingaboutspruce-beer——Oh！yes——Mr。KnightleyandIbothsayingwelikedit，andMr。Elton’sseemingresolvedtolearntolikeittoo。
Iperfectlyrememberit——Stop；Mr。Knightleywasstandingjusthere，wasnothe？Ihaveanideahewasstandingjusthere。”
“Ah！Idonotknow。Icannotrecollect——Itisveryodd，butIcannotrecollect——Mr。Eltonwassittinghere，Iremember，muchaboutwhereIamnow。”——
“Well，goon。”
“Oh！that’sall。Ihavenothingmoretoshewyou，ortosay——
exceptthatIamnowgoingtothrowthembothbehindthefire，andIwishyoutoseemedoit。”
“MypoordearHarriet！andhaveyouactuallyfoundhappinessintreasuringupthesethings？“
“Yes，simpletonasIwas！——butIamquiteashamedofitnow，andwishIcouldforgetaseasilyasIcanburnthem。Itwasverywrongofme，youknow，tokeepanyremembrances，afterhewasmarried。
Iknewitwas——buthadnotresolutionenoughtopartwiththem。”
“But，Harriet，isitnecessarytoburnthecourt-plaister？——Ihavenotawordtosayforthebitofoldpencil，butthecourt-plaistermightbeuseful。”
“Ishallbehappiertoburnit。”repliedHarriet。“Ithasadisagreeablelooktome。Imustgetridofeverything——
Thereitgoes，andthereisanend，thankHeaven！ofMr。Elton。”
“Andwhen。”thoughtEmma，“willtherebeabeginningofMr。Churchill？“
Shehadsoonafterwardsreasontobelievethatthebeginningwasalreadymade，andcouldnotbuthopethatthegipsy，thoughshehadtoldnofortune，mightbeprovedtohavemadeHarriet’s——Aboutafortnightafterthealarm，theycametoasufficientexplanation，andquiteundesignedly。Emmawasnotthinkingofitatthemoment，whichmadetheinformationshereceivedmorevaluable。
Shemerelysaid，inthecourseofsometrivialchat，“Well，Harriet，wheneveryoumarryIwouldadviseyoutodosoandso“——andthoughtnomoreofit，tillafteraminute’ssilencesheheardHarrietsayinaveryserioustone，“Ishallnevermarry。”
Emmathenlookedup，andimmediatelysawhowitwas；andafteramoment’sdebate，astowhetheritshouldpassunnoticedornot，replied，“Nevermarry！——Thisisanewresolution。”
“ItisonethatIshallneverchange，however。”
Afteranothershorthesitation，“Ihopeitdoesnotproceedfrom——
IhopeitisnotincomplimenttoMr。Elton？“
“Mr。Eltonindeed！“criedHarrietindignantly——“Oh！no“——andEmmacouldjustcatchthewords，“sosuperiortoMr。Elton！“
Shethentookalongertimeforconsideration。Shouldsheproceednofarther？——shouldsheletitpass，andseemtosuspectnothing？——
PerhapsHarrietmightthinkhercoldorangryifshedid；
orperhapsifsheweretotallysilent，itmightonlydriveHarrietintoaskinghertoheartoomuch；andagainstanythinglikesuchanunreserveashadbeen，suchanopenandfrequentdiscussionofhopesandchances，shewasperfectlyresolved——
Shebelieveditwouldbewiserforhertosayandknowatonce，allthatshemeanttosayandknow。Plaindealingwasalwaysbest。
Shehadpreviouslydeterminedhowfarshewouldproceed，onanyapplicationofthesort；anditwouldbesaferforboth，tohavethejudiciouslawofherownbrainlaiddownwithspeed——
Shewasdecided，andthusspoke——
“Harriet，Iwillnotaffecttobeindoubtofyourmeaning。
Yourresolution，orratheryourexpectationofnevermarrying，resultsfromanideathatthepersonwhomyoumightprefer，wouldbetoogreatlyyoursuperiorinsituationtothinkofyou。
Isnotitso？“
“Oh！MissWoodhouse，believemeIhavenotthepresumptiontosuppose——
IndeedIamnotsomad——Butitisapleasuretometoadmirehimatadistance——andtothinkofhisinfinitesuperioritytoalltherestoftheworld，withthegratitude，wonder，andveneration，whicharesoproper，inmeespecially。”
“Iamnotatallsurprizedatyou，Harriet。Theserviceherenderedyouwasenoughtowarmyourheart。”
“Service！oh！itwassuchaninexpressibleobligation！——
Theveryrecollectionofit，andallthatIfeltatthetime——
whenIsawhimcoming——hisnoblelook——andmywretchednessbefore。
Suchachange！Inonemomentsuchachange！Fromperfectmiserytoperfecthappiness！“
“Itisverynatural。Itisnatural，anditishonourable——
Yes，honourable，Ithink，tochusesowellandsogratefully——
ButthatitwillbeafortunatepreferenceismorethatIcanpromise。
Idonotadviseyoutogivewaytoit，Harriet。Idonotbyanymeansengageforitsbeingreturned。Considerwhatyouareabout。
Perhapsitwillbewisestinyoutocheckyourfeelingswhileyoucan：
atanyratedonotletthemcarryyoufar，unlessyouarepersuadedofhislikingyou。Beobservantofhim。Lethisbehaviourbetheguideofyoursensations。Igiveyouthiscautionnow，becauseI
shallneverspeaktoyouagainonthesubject。Iamdeterminedagainstallinterference。HenceforwardIknownothingofthematter。
Letnonameeverpassourlips。Wewereverywrongbefore；
wewillbecautiousnow——Heisyoursuperior，nodoubt，andtheredoseemobjectionsandobstaclesofaveryseriousnature；
butyet，Harriet，morewonderfulthingshavetakenplace，therehavebeenmatchesofgreaterdisparity。Buttakecareofyourself。
Iwouldnothaveyoutoosanguine；though，howeveritmayend，beassuredyourraisingyourthoughtstohim，isamarkofgoodtastewhichIshallalwaysknowhowtovalue。”
Harrietkissedherhandinsilentandsubmissivegratitude。
Emmawasverydecidedinthinkingsuchanattachmentnobadthingforherfriend。Itstendencywouldbetoraiseandrefinehermind——
anditmustbesavingherfromthedangerofdegradation。