Chapter05CHAPTERV
Inthisstateofschemes，andhopes，andconnivance，JuneopeneduponHartfield。ToHighburyingeneralitbroughtnomaterialchange。
TheEltonswerestilltalkingofavisitfromtheSucklings，andoftheusetobemadeoftheirbarouche-landau；andJaneFairfaxwasstillathergrandmother’s；andasthereturnoftheCampbellsfromIrelandwasagaindelayed，andAugust，insteadofMidsummer，fixedforit，shewaslikelytoremaintherefulltwomonthslonger，providedatleastshewereabletodefeatMrs。Elton’sactivityinherservice，andsaveherselffrombeinghurriedintoadelightfulsituationagainstherwill。
Mr。Knightley，who，forsomereasonbestknowntohimself，hadcertainlytakenanearlydisliketoFrankChurchill，wasonlygrowingtodislikehimmore。HebegantosuspecthimofsomedoubledealinginhispursuitofEmma。ThatEmmawashisobjectappearedindisputable。
Everythingdeclaredit；hisownattentions，hisfather’shints，hismother-in-law’sguardedsilence；itwasallinunison；
words，conduct，discretion，andindiscretion，toldthesamestory。
ButwhilesomanyweredevotinghimtoEmma，andEmmaherselfmakinghimovertoHarriet，Mr。KnightleybegantosuspecthimofsomeinclinationtotriflewithJaneFairfax。Hecouldnotunderstandit；butthereweresymptomsofintelligencebetweenthem——hethoughtsoatleast——
symptomsofadmirationonhisside，which，havingonceobserved，hecouldnotpersuadehimselftothinkentirelyvoidofmeaning，howeverhemightwishtoescapeanyofEmma’serrorsofimagination。
Shewasnotpresentwhenthesuspicionfirstarose。HewasdiningwiththeRandallsfamily，andJane，attheEltons’；andhehadseenalook，morethanasinglelook，atMissFairfax，which，fromtheadmirerofMissWoodhouse，seemedsomewhatoutofplace。
Whenhewasagainintheircompany，hecouldnothelprememberingwhathehadseen；norcouldheavoidobservationswhich，unlessitwerelikeCowperandhisfireattwilight，“MyselfcreatingwhatIsaw。”
broughthimyetstrongersuspicionoftherebeingasomethingofprivateliking，ofprivateunderstandingeven，betweenFrankChurchillandJane。
Hehadwalkeduponedayafterdinner，asheveryoftendid，tospendhiseveningatHartfield。EmmaandHarrietweregoingtowalk；hejoinedthem；and，onreturning，theyfellinwithalargerparty，who，likethemselves，judgeditwisesttotaketheirexerciseearly，astheweatherthreatenedrain；Mr。andMrs。Westonandtheirson，MissBatesandherniece，whohadaccidentallymet。
Theyallunited；and，onreachingHartfieldgates，Emma，whoknewitwasexactlythesortofvisitingthatwouldbewelcometoherfather，pressedthemalltogoinanddrinkteawithhim。TheRandallspartyagreedtoitimmediately；andafteraprettylongspeechfromMissBates，whichfewpersonslistenedto，shealsofounditpossibletoacceptdearMissWoodhouse’smostobliginginvitation。
Astheywereturningintothegrounds，Mr。Perrypassedbyonhorseback。
Thegentlemenspokeofhishorse。
“Bythebye。”saidFrankChurchilltoMrs。Westonpresently，“whatbecameofMr。Perry’splanofsettinguphiscarriage？“
Mrs。Westonlookedsurprized，andsaid，“Ididnotknowthatheeverhadanysuchplan。”
“Nay，Ihaditfromyou。Youwrotemewordofitthreemonthsago。”
“Me！impossible！“
“Indeedyoudid。Irememberitperfectly。Youmentioneditaswhatwascertainlytobeverysoon。Mrs。Perryhadtoldsomebody，andwasextremelyhappyaboutit。Itwasowingtoherpersuasion，asshethoughthisbeingoutinbadweatherdidhimagreatdealofharm。Youmustrememberitnow？“
“UponmywordIneverheardofittillthismoment。”
“Never！really，never！——Blessme！howcoulditbe？——ThenImusthavedreamtit——butIwascompletelypersuaded——MissSmith，youwalkasifyouweretired。Youwillnotbesorrytofindyourselfathome。”
“Whatisthis？——Whatisthis？“criedMr。Weston，“aboutPerryandacarriage？IsPerrygoingtosetuphiscarriage，Frank？
Iamgladhecanaffordit。Youhaditfromhimself，hadyou？“
“No，sir。”repliedhisson，laughing，“Iseemtohavehaditfromnobody——Veryodd！——IreallywaspersuadedofMrs。Weston’shavingmentioneditinoneofherletterstoEnscombe，manyweeksago，withalltheseparticulars——butasshedeclaressheneverheardasyllableofitbefore，ofcourseitmusthavebeenadream。
Iamagreatdreamer。IdreamofeverybodyatHighburywhenIamaway——
andwhenIhavegonethroughmyparticularfriends，thenIbegindreamingofMr。andMrs。Perry。”
“Itisoddthough。”observedhisfather，“thatyoushouldhavehadsucharegularconnecteddreamaboutpeoplewhomitwasnotverylikelyyoushouldbethinkingofatEnscombe。Perry’ssettinguphiscarriage！
andhiswife’spersuadinghimtoit，outofcareforhishealth——
justwhatwillhappen，Ihavenodoubt，sometimeorother；
onlyalittlepremature。Whatanairofprobabilitysometimesrunsthroughadream！Andatothers，whataheapofabsurditiesitis！Well，Frank，yourdreamcertainlyshewsthatHighburyisinyourthoughtswhenyouareabsent。Emma，youareagreatdreamer，Ithink？“
Emmawasoutofhearing。Shehadhurriedonbeforehergueststoprepareherfatherfortheirappearance，andwasbeyondthereachofMr。Weston’shint。
“Why，toownthetruth。”criedMissBates，whohadbeentryinginvaintobeheardthelasttwominutes，“ifImustspeakonthissubject，thereisnodenyingthatMr。FrankChurchillmighthave——Idonotmeantosaythathedidnotdreamit——IamsureIhavesometimestheoddestdreamsintheworld——butifIamquestionedaboutit，Imustacknowledgethattherewassuchanidealastspring；
forMrs。Perryherselfmentionedittomymother，andtheColesknewofitaswellasourselves——butitwasquiteasecret，knowntonobodyelse，andonlythoughtofaboutthreedays。
Mrs。Perrywasveryanxiousthatheshouldhaveacarriage，andcametomymotheringreatspiritsonemorningbecauseshethoughtshehadprevailed。Jane，don’tyouremembergrandmama’stellingusofitwhenwegothome？Iforgetwherewehadbeenwalkingto——
verylikelytoRandalls；yes，IthinkitwastoRandalls。
Mrs。Perrywasalwaysparticularlyfondofmymother——indeedIdonotknowwhoisnot——andshehadmentionedittoherinconfidence；
shehadnoobjectiontohertellingus，ofcourse，butitwasnottogobeyond：and，fromthatdaytothis，InevermentionedittoasoulthatIknowof。Atthesametime，Iwillnotpositivelyanswerformyhavingneverdroptahint，becauseIknowIdosometimespopoutathingbeforeIamaware。Iamatalker，youknow；Iamratheratalker；andnowandthenIhaveletathingescapemewhichIshouldnot。IamnotlikeJane；IwishIwere。
Iwillanswerforitsheneverbetrayedtheleastthingintheworld。
Whereisshe？——Oh！justbehind。PerfectlyrememberMrs。Perry’scoming——
Extraordinarydream，indeed！“
Theywereenteringthehall。Mr。Knightley’seyeshadprecededMissBates’sinaglanceatJane。FromFrankChurchill’sface，wherehethoughthesawconfusionsuppressedorlaughedaway，hehadinvoluntarilyturnedtohers；butshewasindeedbehind，andtoobusywithhershawl。Mr。Westonhadwalkedin。Thetwoothergentlemenwaitedatthedoortoletherpass。Mr。KnightleysuspectedinFrankChurchillthedeterminationofcatchinghereye——
heseemedwatchingherintently——invain，however，ifitwereso——
Janepassedbetweenthemintothehall，andlookedatneither。
Therewasnotimeforfartherremarkorexplanation。Thedreammustbebornewith，andMr。KnightleymusttakehisseatwiththerestroundthelargemoderncirculartablewhichEmmahadintroducedatHartfield，andwhichnonebutEmmacouldhavehadpowertoplacethereandpersuadeherfathertouse，insteadofthesmall-sizedPembroke，onwhichtwoofhisdailymealshad，forfortyyearsbeencrowded。
Teapassedpleasantly，andnobodyseemedinahurrytomove。
“MissWoodhouse。”saidFrankChurchill，afterexaminingatablebehindhim，whichhecouldreachashesat，“haveyournephewstakenawaytheiralphabets——theirboxofletters？Itusedtostandhere。
Whereisit？Thisisasortofdull-lookingevening，thatoughttobetreatedratheraswinterthansummer。Wehadgreatamusementwiththoselettersonemorning。Iwanttopuzzleyouagain。”
Emmawaspleasedwiththethought；andproducingthebox，thetablewasquicklyscatteredoverwithalphabets，whichnooneseemedsomuchdisposedtoemployastheirtwoselves。Theywererapidlyformingwordsforeachother，orforanybodyelsewhowouldbepuzzled。
ThequietnessofthegamemadeitparticularlyeligibleforMr。Woodhouse，whohadoftenbeendistressedbythemoreanimatedsort，whichMr。Westonhadoccasionallyintroduced，andwhonowsathappilyoccupiedinlamenting，withtendermelancholy，overthedepartureofthe“poorlittleboys。”orinfondlypointingout，ashetookupanystrayletternearhim，howbeautifullyEmmahadwrittenit。
FrankChurchillplacedawordbeforeMissFairfax。Shegaveaslightglanceroundthetable，andappliedherselftoit。
FrankwasnexttoEmma，Janeoppositetothem——andMr。Knightleysoplacedastoseethemall；anditwashisobjecttoseeasmuchashecould，withaslittleapparentobservation。Thewordwasdiscovered，andwithafaintsmilepushedaway。Ifmeanttobeimmediatelymixedwiththeothers，andburiedfromsight，sheshouldhavelookedonthetableinsteadoflookingjustacross，foritwasnotmixed；andHarriet，eageraftereveryfreshword，andfindingoutnone，directlytookitup，andfelltowork。
ShewassittingbyMr。Knightley，andturnedtohimforhelp。
Thewordwasblunder；andasHarrietexultinglyproclaimedit，therewasablushonJane’scheekwhichgaveitameaningnototherwiseostensible。Mr。Knightleyconnecteditwiththedream；
buthowitcouldallbe，wasbeyondhiscomprehension。
Howthedelicacy，thediscretionofhisfavouritecouldhavebeensolainasleep！Hefearedtheremustbesomedecidedinvolvement。
Disingenuousnessanddoubledealingseemedtomeethimateveryturn。
Theseletterswerebutthevehicleforgallantryandtrick。
Itwasachild’splay，chosentoconcealadeepergameonFrankChurchill’spart。
Withgreatindignationdidhecontinuetoobservehim；withgreatalarmanddistrust，toobservealsohistwoblindedcompanions。
HesawashortwordpreparedforEmma，andgiventoherwithalookslyanddemure。HesawthatEmmahadsoonmadeitout，andfoundithighlyentertaining，thoughitwassomethingwhichshejudgeditpropertoappeartocensure；forshesaid，“Nonsense！forshame！“
HeheardFrankChurchillnextsay，withaglancetowardsJane，“Iwillgiveittoher——shallI？“——andasclearlyheardEmmaopposingitwitheagerlaughingwarmth。“No，no，youmustnot；
youshallnot，indeed。”
Itwasdonehowever。Thisgallantyoungman，whoseemedtolovewithoutfeeling，andtorecommendhimselfwithoutcomplaisance，directlyhandedoverthewordtoMissFairfax，andwithaparticulardegreeofsedatecivilityentreatedhertostudyit。Mr。Knightley’sexcessivecuriositytoknowwhatthiswordmightbe，madehimseizeeverypossiblemomentfordartinghiseyetowardsit，anditwasnotlongbeforehesawittobeDixon。JaneFairfax’sperceptionseemedtoaccompanyhis；hercomprehensionwascertainlymoreequaltothecovertmeaning，thesuperiorintelligence，ofthosefiveletterssoarranged。Shewasevidentlydispleased；lookedup，andseeingherselfwatched，blushedmoredeeplythanhehadeverperceivedher，andsayingonly，“Ididnotknowthatpropernameswereallowed。”
pushedawaytheletterswithevenanangryspirit，andlookedresolvedtobeengagedbynootherwordthatcouldbeoffered。
Herfacewasavertedfromthosewhohadmadetheattack，andturnedtowardsheraunt。
“Aye，verytrue，mydear。”criedthelatter，thoughJanehadnotspokenaword——“Iwasjustgoingtosaythesamething。Itistimeforustobegoingindeed。Theeveningisclosingin，andgrandmamawillbelookingforus。Mydearsir，youaretooobliging。
Wereallymustwishyougoodnight。”
Jane’salertnessinmoving，provedherasreadyasheraunthadpreconceived。Shewasimmediatelyup，andwantingtoquitthetable；butsomanywerealsomoving，thatshecouldnotgetaway；
andMr。Knightleythoughthesawanothercollectionoflettersanxiouslypushedtowardsher，andresolutelysweptawaybyherunexamined。
Shewasafterwardslookingforhershawl——FrankChurchillwaslookingalso——itwasgrowingdusk，andtheroomwasinconfusion；
andhowtheyparted，Mr。Knightleycouldnottell。
HeremainedatHartfieldafteralltherest，histhoughtsfullofwhathehadseen；sofull，thatwhenthecandlescametoassisthisobservations，hemust——yes，hecertainlymust，asafriend——
ananxiousfriend——giveEmmasomehint，askhersomequestion。
Hecouldnotseeherinasituationofsuchdanger，withouttryingtopreserveher。Itwashisduty。
“Pray，Emma。”saidhe，“mayIaskinwhatlaythegreatamusement，thepoignantstingofthelastwordgiventoyouandMissFairfax？
Isawtheword，andamcurioustoknowhowitcouldbesoveryentertainingtotheone，andsoverydistressingtotheother。”
Emmawasextremelyconfused。Shecouldnotenduretogivehimthetrueexplanation；forthoughhersuspicionswerebynomeansremoved，shewasreallyashamedofhavingeverimpartedthem。
“Oh！“shecriedinevidentembarrassment，“itallmeantnothing；
amerejokeamongourselves。”
“Thejoke。”herepliedgravely，“seemedconfinedtoyouandMr。Churchill。”
Hehadhopedshewouldspeakagain，butshedidnot。Shewouldratherbusyherselfaboutanythingthanspeak。Hesatalittlewhileindoubt。Avarietyofevilscrossedhismind。Interference——
fruitlessinterference。Emma’sconfusion，andtheacknowledgedintimacy，seemedtodeclareheraffectionengaged。Yethewouldspeak。
Heowedittoher，toriskanythingthatmightbeinvolvedinanunwelcomeinterference，ratherthanherwelfare；toencounteranything，ratherthantheremembranceofneglectinsuchacause。
“MydearEmma。”saidheatlast，withearnestkindness，“doyouthinkyouperfectlyunderstandthedegreeofacquaintancebetweenthegentlemanandladywehavebeenspeakingof？“
“BetweenMr。FrankChurchillandMissFairfax？Oh！yes，perfectly——
Whydoyoumakeadoubtofit？“
“Haveyouneveratanytimehadreasontothinkthatheadmiredher，orthatsheadmiredhim？“
“Never，never！“shecriedwithamostopeneagerness——“Never，forthetwentiethpartofamoment，didsuchanideaoccurtome。
Andhowcoulditpossiblycomeintoyourhead？“
“IhavelatelyimaginedthatIsawsymptomsofattachmentbetweenthem——
certainexpressivelooks，whichIdidnotbelievemeanttobepublic。”
“Oh！youamusemeexcessively。Iamdelightedtofindthatyoucanvouchsafetoletyourimaginationwander——butitwillnotdo——
verysorrytocheckyouinyourfirstessay——butindeeditwillnotdo。Thereisnoadmirationbetweenthem，Idoassureyou；
andtheappearanceswhichhavecaughtyou，havearisenfromsomepeculiarcircumstances——feelingsratherofatotallydifferentnature——
itisimpossibleexactlytoexplain：——thereisagooddealofnonsenseinit——butthepartwhichiscapableofbeingcommunicated，whichissense，is，thattheyareasfarfromanyattachmentoradmirationforoneanother，asanytwobeingsintheworldcanbe。
Thatis，Ipresumeittobesoonherside，andIcananswerforitsbeingsoonhis。Iwillanswerforthegentleman’sindifference。”
Shespokewithaconfidencewhichstaggered，withasatisfactionwhichsilenced，Mr。Knightley。Shewasingayspirits，andwouldhaveprolongedtheconversation，wantingtoheartheparticularsofhissuspicions，everylookdescribed，andallthewheresandhowsofacircumstancewhichhighlyentertainedher：buthisgaietydidnotmeethers。Hefoundhecouldnotbeuseful，andhisfeelingsweretoomuchirritatedfortalking。Thathemightnotbeirritatedintoanabsolutefever，bythefirewhichMr。Woodhouse’stenderhabitsrequiredalmosteveryeveningthroughouttheyear，hesoonafterwardstookahastyleave，andwalkedhometothecoolnessandsolitudeofDonwellAbbey。
Chapter06CHAPTERVI
AfterbeinglongfedwithhopesofaspeedyvisitfromMr。andMrs。Suckling，theHighburyworldwereobligedtoendurethemortificationofhearingthattheycouldnotpossiblycometilltheautumn。
Nosuchimportationofnoveltiescouldenrichtheirintellectualstoresatpresent。Inthedailyinterchangeofnews，theymustbeagainrestrictedtotheothertopicswithwhichforawhiletheSucklings’
cominghadbeenunited，suchasthelastaccountsofMrs。Churchill，whosehealthseemedeverydaytosupplyadifferentreport，andthesituationofMrs。Weston，whosehappinessitwastobehopedmighteventuallybeasmuchincreasedbythearrivalofachild，asthatofallherneighbourswasbytheapproachofit。
Mrs。Eltonwasverymuchdisappointed。Itwasthedelayofagreatdealofpleasureandparade。Herintroductionsandrecommendationsmustallwait，andeveryprojectedpartybestillonlytalkedof。
Soshethoughtatfirst；——butalittleconsiderationconvincedherthateverythingneednotbeputoff。WhyshouldnottheyexploretoBoxHillthoughtheSucklingsdidnotcome？Theycouldgothereagainwiththemintheautumn。ItwassettledthattheyshouldgotoBoxHill。Thattherewastobesuchapartyhadbeenlonggenerallyknown：ithadevengiventheideaofanother。
EmmahadneverbeentoBoxHill；shewishedtoseewhateverybodyfoundsowellworthseeing，andsheandMr。Westonhadagreedtochusesomefinemorninganddrivethither。Twoorthreemoreofthechosenonlyweretobeadmittedtojointhem，anditwastobedoneinaquiet，unpretending，elegantway，infinitelysuperiortothebustleandpreparation，theregulareatinganddrinking，andpicnicparadeoftheEltonsandtheSucklings。
Thiswassoverywellunderstoodbetweenthem，thatEmmacouldnotbutfeelsomesurprise，andalittledispleasure，onhearingfromMr。WestonthathehadbeenproposingtoMrs。Elton，asherbrotherandsisterhadfailedher，thatthetwopartiesshouldunite，andgotogether；andthatasMrs。Eltonhadveryreadilyaccededtoit，soitwastobe，ifshehadnoobjection。Now，asherobjectionwasnothingbutherverygreatdislikeofMrs。Elton，ofwhichMr。Westonmustalreadybeperfectlyaware，itwasnotworthbringingforwardagain：——itcouldnotbedonewithoutareprooftohim，whichwouldbegivingpaintohiswife；andshefoundherselfthereforeobligedtoconsenttoanarrangementwhichshewouldhavedoneagreatdealtoavoid；anarrangementwhichwouldprobablyexposehereventothedegradationofbeingsaidtobeofMrs。Elton’sparty！Everyfeelingwasoffended；andtheforbearanceofheroutwardsubmissionleftaheavyarreardueofsecretseverityinherreflectionsontheunmanageablegoodwillofMr。Weston’stemper。
“IamgladyouapproveofwhatIhavedone。”saidheverycomfortably。
“ButIthoughtyouwould。Suchschemesasthesearenothingwithoutnumbers。Onecannothavetoolargeaparty。Alargepartysecuresitsownamusement。Andsheisagood-naturedwomanafterall。
Onecouldnotleaveherout。”
Emmadeniednoneofitaloud，andagreedtononeofitinprivate。
ItwasnowthemiddleofJune，andtheweatherfine；andMrs。Eltonwasgrowingimpatienttonametheday，andsettlewithMr。Westonastopigeon-piesandcoldlamb，whenalamecarriage-horsethreweverythingintosaduncertainty。Itmightbeweeks，itmightbeonlyafewdays，beforethehorsewereuseable；butnopreparationscouldbeventuredon，anditwasallmelancholystagnation。
Mrs。Elton’sresourceswereinadequatetosuchanattack。
“Isnotthismostvexations，Knightley？“shecried——“Andsuchweatherforexploring！——Thesedelaysanddisappointmentsarequiteodious。
Whatarewetodo？——Theyearwillwearawayatthisrate，andnothingdone。BeforethistimelastyearIassureyouwehadhadadelightfulexploringpartyfromMapleGrovetoKingsWeston。”
“YouhadbetterexploretoDonwell。”repliedMr。Knightley。
“Thatmaybedonewithouthorses。Come，andeatmystrawberries。
Theyareripeningfast。”
IfMr。Knightleydidnotbeginseriously，hewasobligedtoproceedso，forhisproposalwascaughtatwithdelight；andthe“Oh！Ishouldlikeitofallthings。”wasnotplainerinwordsthanmanner。
Donwellwasfamousforitsstrawberry-beds，whichseemedapleafortheinvitation：butnopleawasnecessary；cabbage-bedswouldhavebeenenoughtotemptthelady，whoonlywantedtobegoingsomewhere。
Shepromisedhimagainandagaintocome——muchoftenerthanhedoubted——andwasextremelygratifiedbysuchaproofofintimacy，suchadistinguishingcomplimentasshechosetoconsiderit。
“Youmaydependuponme。”saidshe。“Icertainlywillcome。
Nameyourday，andIwillcome。YouwillallowmetobringJaneFairfax？“
“Icannotnameaday。”saidhe，“tillIhavespokentosomeotherswhomIwouldwishtomeetyou。”
“Oh！leaveallthattome。Onlygivemeacarte-blanche——IamLadyPatroness，youknow。Itismyparty。Iwillbringfriendswithme。”
“IhopeyouwillbringElton。”saidhe：“butIwillnottroubleyoutogiveanyotherinvitations。”
“Oh！nowyouarelookingverysly。Butconsider——youneednotbeafraidofdelegatingpowertome。Iamnoyoungladyonherpreferment。
Marriedwomen，youknow，maybesafelyauthorised。Itismyparty。
Leaveitalltome。Iwillinviteyourguests。”
“No。”——hecalmlyreplied，——“thereisbutonemarriedwomanintheworldwhomIcaneverallowtoinvitewhatguestsshepleasestoDonwell，andthatoneis——“
“——Mrs。Weston，Isuppose。”interruptedMrs。Elton，rathermortified。
“No——Mrs。Knightley；——andtillsheisinbeing，Iwillmanagesuchmattersmyself。”
“Ah！youareanoddcreature！“shecried，satisfiedtohavenoonepreferredtoherself——“Youareahumourist，andmaysaywhatyoulike。Quiteahumourist。Well，IshallbringJanewithme——
Janeandheraunt——TherestIleavetoyou。IhavenoobjectionsatalltomeetingtheHartfieldfamily。Don’tscruple。I
knowyouareattachedtothem。”
“YoucertainlywillmeetthemifIcanprevail；andIshallcallonMissBatesinmywayhome。”
“That’squiteunnecessary；IseeJaneeveryday：——butasyoulike。
Itistobeamorningscheme，youknow，Knightley；quiteasimplething。
Ishallwearalargebonnet，andbringoneofmylittlebasketshangingonmyarm。Here，——probablythisbasketwithpinkribbon。
Nothingcanbemoresimple，yousee。AndJanewillhavesuchanother。
Thereistobenoformorparade——asortofgipsyparty。Wearetowalkaboutyourgardens，andgatherthestrawberriesourselves，andsitundertrees；——andwhateverelseyoumayliketoprovide，itistobealloutofdoors——atablespreadintheshade，youknow。
Everythingasnaturalandsimpleaspossible。Isnotthatyouridea？“
“Notquite。Myideaofthesimpleandthenaturalwillbetohavethetablespreadinthedining-room。Thenatureandthesimplicityofgentlemenandladies，withtheirservantsandfurniture，Ithinkisbestobservedbymealswithindoors。Whenyouaretiredofeatingstrawberriesinthegarden，thereshallbecoldmeatinthehouse。”
“Well——asyouplease；onlydon’thaveagreatsetout。And，bythebye，canIormyhousekeeperbeofanyusetoyouwithouropinion？——
Praybesincere，Knightley。IfyouwishmetotalktoMrs。Hodges，ortoinspectanything——“
“Ihavenottheleastwishforit，Ithankyou。”
“Well——butifanydifficultiesshouldarise，myhousekeeperisextremelyclever。”
“Iwillanswerforit，thatminethinksherselffullasclever，andwouldspurnanybody’sassistance。”
“Iwishwehadadonkey。Thethingwouldbeforusalltocomeondonkeys，Jane，MissBates，andme——andmycarosposowalkingby。
Ireallymusttalktohimaboutpurchasingadonkey。InacountrylifeIconceiveittobeasortofnecessary；for，letawomanhaveeversomanyresources，itisnotpossibleforhertobealwaysshutupathome；——andverylongwalks，youknow——insummerthereisdust，andinwinterthereisdirt。”
“Youwillnotfindeither，betweenDonwellandHighbury。
DonwellLaneisneverdusty，andnowitisperfectlydry。Comeonadonkey，however，ifyoupreferit。YoucanborrowMrs。Cole’s。
Iwouldwisheverythingtobeasmuchtoyourtasteaspossible。”
“ThatIamsureyouwould。IndeedIdoyoujustice，mygoodfriend。
Underthatpeculiarsortofdry，bluntmanner，Iknowyouhavethewarmestheart。AsItellMr。E。，youareathoroughhumourist——
Yes，believeme，Knightley，Iamfullysensibleofyourattentiontomeinthewholeofthisscheme。Youhavehitupontheverythingtopleaseme。”
Mr。Knightleyhadanotherreasonforavoidingatableintheshade。
HewishedtopersuadeMr。Woodhouse，aswellasEmma，tojointheparty；
andheknewthattohaveanyofthemsittingdownoutofdoorstoeatwouldinevitablymakehimill。Mr。Woodhousemustnot，underthespeciouspretenceofamorningdrive，andanhourortwospentatDonwell，betemptedawaytohismisery。
Hewasinvitedongoodfaith。Nolurkinghorrorsweretoupbraidhimforhiseasycredulity。Hedidconsent。HehadnotbeenatDonwellfortwoyears。“Someveryfinemorning，he，andEmma，andHarriet，couldgoverywell；andhecouldsitstillwithMrs。Weston，whilethedeargirlswalkedaboutthegardens。
Hedidnotsupposetheycouldbedampnow，inthemiddleoftheday。Heshouldliketoseetheoldhouseagainexceedingly，andshouldbeveryhappytomeetMr。andMrs。Elton，andanyotherofhisneighbours——Hecouldnotseeanyobjectionatalltohis，andEmma’s，andHarriet’sgoingtheresomeveryfinemorning。
HethoughtitverywelldoneofMr。Knightleytoinvitethem——
verykindandsensible——muchclevererthandiningout——Hewasnotfondofdiningout。”
Mr。Knightleywasfortunateineverybody’smostreadyconcurrence。
Theinvitationwaseverywheresowellreceived，thatitseemedasif，likeMrs。Elton，theywerealltakingtheschemeasaparticularcomplimenttothemselves——EmmaandHarrietprofessedveryhighexpectationsofpleasurefromit；andMr。Weston，unasked，promisedtogetFrankovertojointhem，ifpossible；aproofofapprobationandgratitudewhichcouldhavebeendispensedwith——
Mr。Knightleywasthenobligedtosaythatheshouldbegladtoseehim；andMr。Westonengagedtolosenotimeinwriting，andsparenoargumentstoinducehimtocome。
Inthemeanwhilethelamehorserecoveredsofast，thatthepartytoBoxHillwasagainunderhappyconsideration；andatlastDonwellwassettledforoneday，andBoxHillforthenext，——theweatherappearingexactlyright。
Underabrightmid-daysun，atalmostMidsummer，Mr。Woodhousewassafelyconveyedinhiscarriage，withonewindowdown，topartakeofthisal-frescoparty；andinoneofthemostcomfortableroomsintheAbbey，especiallypreparedforhimbyafireallthemorning，hewashappilyplaced，quiteathisease，readytotalkwithpleasureofwhathadbeenachieved，andadviseeverybodytocomeandsitdown，andnottoheatthemselves——
Mrs。Weston，whoseemedtohavewalkedthereonpurposetobetired，andsitallthetimewithhim，remained，whenalltheotherswereinvitedorpersuadedout，hispatientlistenerandsympathiser。
ItwassolongsinceEmmahadbeenattheAbbey，thatassoonasshewassatisfiedofherfather’scomfort，shewasgladtoleavehim，andlookaroundher；eagertorefreshandcorrecthermemorywithmoreparticularobservation，moreexactunderstandingofahouseandgroundswhichmusteverbesointerestingtoherandallherfamily。
Shefeltallthehonestprideandcomplacencywhichheralliancewiththepresentandfutureproprietorcouldfairlywarrant，assheviewedtherespectablesizeandstyleofthebuilding，itssuitable，becoming，characteristicsituation，lowandsheltered——
itsamplegardensstretchingdowntomeadowswashedbyastream，ofwhichtheAbbey，withalltheoldneglectofprospect，hadscarcelyasight——anditsabundanceoftimberinrowsandavenues，whichneitherfashionnorextravagancehadrootedup——ThehousewaslargerthanHartfield，andtotallyunlikeit，coveringagooddealofground，ramblingandirregular，withmanycomfortable，andoneortwohandsomerooms——Itwasjustwhatitoughttobe，anditlookedwhatitwas——andEmmafeltanincreasingrespectforit，astheresidenceofafamilyofsuchtruegentility，untaintedinbloodandunderstanding——SomefaultsoftemperJohnKnightleyhad；butIsabellahadconnectedherselfunexceptionably。
Shehadgiventhemneithermen，nornames，norplaces，thatcouldraiseablush。Thesewerepleasantfeelings，andshewalkedaboutandindulgedthemtillitwasnecessarytodoastheothersdid，andcollectroundthestrawberry-beds——Thewholepartywereassembled，exceptingFrankChurchill，whowasexpectedeverymomentfromRichmond；
andMrs。Elton，inallherapparatusofhappiness，herlargebonnetandherbasket，wasveryreadytoleadthewayingathering，accepting，ortalking——strawberries，andonlystrawberries，couldnowbethoughtorspokenof——“ThebestfruitinEngland——
everybody’sfavourite——alwayswholesome——Thesethefinestbedsandfinestsorts——Delightfultogatherforone’sself——theonlywayofreallyenjoyingthem——Morningdecidedlythebesttime——nevertired——
everysortgood——hautboyinfinitelysuperior——nocomparison——
theothershardlyeatable——hautboysveryscarce——Chilipreferred——
whitewoodfinestflavourofall——priceofstrawberriesinLondon——
abundanceaboutBristol——MapleGrove——cultivation——bedswhentoberenewed——gardenersthinkingexactlydifferent——nogeneralrule——
gardenersnevertobeputoutoftheirway——deliciousfruit——
onlytoorichtobeeatenmuchof——inferiortocherries——
currantsmorerefreshing——onlyobjectiontogatheringstrawberriesthestooping——glaringsun——tiredtodeath——couldbearitnolonger——
mustgoandsitintheshade。”
Such，forhalfanhour，wastheconversation——interruptedonlyoncebyMrs。Weston，whocameout，inhersolicitudeafterherson-in-law，toinquireifhewerecome——andshewasalittleuneasy——
Shehadsomefearsofhishorse。
Seatstolerablyintheshadewerefound；andnowEmmawasobligedtooverhearwhatMrs。EltonandJaneFairfaxweretalkingof——
Asituation，amostdesirablesituation，wasinquestion。Mrs。
Eltonhadreceivednoticeofitthatmorning，andwasinraptures。
ItwasnotwithMrs。Suckling，itwasnotwithMrs。Bragge，butinfelicityandsplendouritfellshortonlyofthem：itwaswithacousinofMrs。Bragge，anacquaintanceofMrs。Suckling，aladyknownatMapleGrove。Delightful，charming，superior，firstcircles，spheres，lines，ranks，everything——andMrs。Eltonwaswildtohavetheofferclosedwithimmediately——Onherside，allwaswarmth，energy，andtriumph——andshepositivelyrefusedtotakeherfriend’snegative，thoughMissFairfaxcontinuedtoassureherthatshewouldnotatpresentengageinanything，repeatingthesamemotiveswhichshehadbeenheardtourgebefore——
StillMrs。Eltoninsistedonbeingauthorisedtowriteanacquiescencebythemorrow’spost——HowJanecouldbearitatall，wasastonishingtoEmma——Shedidlookvexed，shedidspeakpointedly——andatlast，withadecisionofactionunusualtoher，proposedaremoval——
“Shouldnottheywalk？WouldnotMr。Knightleyshewthemthegardens——
allthegardens？——Shewishedtoseethewholeextent。”——Thepertinacityofherfriendseemedmorethanshecouldbear。
Itwashot；andafterwalkingsometimeoverthegardensinascattered，dispersedway，scarcelyanythreetogether，theyinsensiblyfollowedoneanothertothedeliciousshadeofabroadshortavenueoflimes，whichstretchingbeyondthegardenatanequaldistancefromtheriver，seemedthefinishofthepleasuregrounds——
Itledtonothing；nothingbutaviewattheendoveralowstonewallwithhighpillars，whichseemedintended，intheirerection，togivetheappearanceofanapproachtothehouse，whichneverhadbeenthere。Disputable，however，asmightbethetasteofsuchatermination，itwasinitselfacharmingwalk，andtheviewwhichcloseditextremelypretty——Theconsiderableslope，atnearlythefootofwhichtheAbbeystood，graduallyacquiredasteeperformbeyonditsgrounds；andathalfamiledistantwasabankofconsiderableabruptnessandgrandeur，wellclothedwithwood；——
andatthebottomofthisbank，favourablyplacedandsheltered，rosetheAbbeyMillFarm，withmeadowsinfront，andtherivermakingacloseandhandsomecurvearoundit。
Itwasasweetview——sweettotheeyeandthemind。Englishverdure，Englishculture，Englishcomfort，seenunderasunbright，withoutbeingoppressive。
InthiswalkEmmaandMr。Westonfoundalltheothersassembled；
andtowardsthisviewsheimmediatelyperceivedMr。KnightleyandHarrietdistinctfromtherest，quietlyleadingtheway。
Mr。KnightleyandHarriet！——Itwasanoddtete-a-tete；butshewasgladtoseeit——Therehadbeenatimewhenhewouldhavescornedherasacompanion，andturnedfromherwithlittleceremony。
Nowtheyseemedinpleasantconversation。TherehadbeenatimealsowhenEmmawouldhavebeensorrytoseeHarrietinaspotsofavourablefortheAbbeyMillFarm；butnowshefeareditnot。
Itmightbesafelyviewedwithallitsappendagesofprosperityandbeauty，itsrichpastures，spreadingflocks，orchardinblossom，andlightcolumnofsmokeascending——Shejoinedthematthewall，andfoundthemmoreengagedintalkingthaninlookingaround。
HewasgivingHarrietinformationastomodesofagriculture，etc。
andEmmareceivedasmilewhichseemedtosay，“Thesearemyownconcerns。Ihavearighttotalkonsuchsubjects，withoutbeingsuspectedofintroducingRobertMartin。”——Shedidnotsuspecthim。
Itwastoooldastory——RobertMartinhadprobablyceasedtothinkofHarriet——Theytookafewturnstogetheralongthewalk——Theshadewasmostrefreshing，andEmmafounditthepleasantestpartoftheday。
Thenextremovewastothehouse；theymustallgoinandeat；——
andtheywereallseatedandbusy，andstillFrankChurchilldidnotcome。Mrs。Westonlooked，andlookedinvain。Hisfatherwouldnotownhimselfuneasy，andlaughedatherfears；butshecouldnotbecuredofwishingthathewouldpartwithhisblackmare。
Hehadexpressedhimselfastocoming，withmorethancommoncertainty。
“Hisauntwassomuchbetter，thathehadnotadoubtofgettingovertothem。”——Mrs。Churchill’sstate，however，asmanywerereadytoremindher，wasliabletosuchsuddenvariationasmightdisappointhernephewinthemostreasonabledependence——andMrs。Westonwasatlastpersuadedtobelieve，ortosay，thatitmustbebysomeattackofMrs。Churchillthathewaspreventedcoming——
EmmalookedatHarrietwhilethepointwasunderconsideration；
shebehavedverywell，andbetrayednoemotion。
Thecoldrepastwasover，andthepartyweretogooutoncemoretoseewhathadnotyetbeenseen，theoldAbbeyfish-ponds；
perhapsgetasfarastheclover，whichwastobebeguncuttingonthemorrow，or，atanyrate，havethepleasureofbeinghot，andgrowingcoolagain——Mr。Woodhouse，whohadalreadytakenhislittleroundinthehighestpartofthegardens，wherenodampsfromtheriverwereimaginedevenbyhim，stirrednomore；
andhisdaughterresolvedtoremainwithhim，thatMrs。Westonmightbepersuadedawaybyherhusbandtotheexerciseandvarietywhichherspiritsseemedtoneed。
Mr。KnightleyhaddoneallinhispowerforMr。Woodhouse’sentertainment。Booksofengravings，drawersofmedals，cameos，corals，shells，andeveryotherfamilycollectionwithinhiscabinets，hadbeenpreparedforhisoldfriend，towhileawaythemorning；
andthekindnesshadperfectlyanswered。Mr。Woodhousehadbeenexceedinglywellamused。Mrs。Westonhadbeenshewingthemalltohim，andnowhewouldshewthemalltoEmma；——fortunateinhavingnootherresemblancetoachild，thaninatotalwantoftasteforwhathesaw，forhewasslow，constant，andmethodical——Beforethissecondlookingoverwasbegun，however，Emmawalkedintothehallforthesakeofafewmoments’freeobservationoftheentranceandground-plotofthehouse——andwashardlythere，whenJaneFairfaxappeared，comingquicklyinfromthegarden，andwithalookofescape——
LittleexpectingtomeetMissWoodhousesosoon，therewasastartatfirst；butMissWoodhousewastheverypersonshewasinquestof。
“Willyoubesokind。”saidshe，“whenIammissed，astosaythatIamgonehome？——Iamgoingthismoment——Myauntisnotawarehowlateitis，norhowlongwehavebeenabsent——butIamsureweshallbewanted，andIamdeterminedtogodirectly——Ihavesaidnothingaboutittoanybody。Itwouldonlybegivingtroubleanddistress。Somearegonetotheponds，andsometothelimewalk。
TilltheyallcomeinIshallnotbemissed；andwhentheydo，willyouhavethegoodnesstosaythatIamgone？“
“Certainly，ifyouwishit；——butyouarenotgoingtowalktoHighburyalone？“
“Yes——whatshouldhurtme？——Iwalkfast。Ishallbeathomeintwentyminutes。”
“Butitistoofar，indeeditis，tobewalkingquitealone。
Letmyfather’sservantgowithyou——Letmeorderthecarriage。
Itcanberoundinfiveminutes。”
“Thankyou，thankyou——butonnoaccount——Iwouldratherwalk——
Andformetobeafraidofwalkingalone！——I，whomaysosoonhavetoguardothers！“
Shespokewithgreatagitation；andEmmaveryfeelinglyreplied，“Thatcanbenoreasonforyourbeingexposedtodangernow。
Imustorderthecarriage。Theheatevenwouldbedanger——Youarefatiguedalready。”
“Iam。”——sheanswered——“Iamfatigued；butitisnotthesortoffatigue——quickwalkingwillrefreshme——MissWoodhouse，weallknowattimeswhatitistobeweariedinspirits。Mine，Iconfess，areexhausted。Thegreatestkindnessyoucanshewme，willbetoletmehavemyownway，andonlysaythatIamgonewhenitisnecessary。”
Emmahadnotanotherwordtooppose。Shesawitall；andenteringintoherfeelings，promotedherquittingthehouseimmediately，andwatchedhersafelyoffwiththezealofafriend。Herpartinglookwasgrateful——andherpartingwords，“Oh！MissWoodhouse，thecomfortofbeingsometimesalone！“——seemedtoburstfromanoverchargedheart，andtodescribesomewhatofthecontinualendurancetobepractisedbyher，eventowardssomeofthosewholovedherbest。
“Suchahome，indeed！suchanaunt！“saidEmma，assheturnedbackintothehallagain。“Idopityyou。Andthemoresensibilityyoubetrayoftheirjusthorrors，themoreIshalllikeyou。”
Janehadnotbeengoneaquarterofanhour，andtheyhadonlyaccomplishedsomeviewsofSt。Mark’sPlace，Venice，whenFrankChurchillenteredtheroom。Emmahadnotbeenthinkingofhim，shehadforgottentothinkofhim——butshewasverygladtoseehim。
Mrs。Westonwouldbeatease。Theblackmarewasblameless；
theywererightwhohadnamedMrs。Churchillasthecause。
Hehadbeendetainedbyatemporaryincreaseofillnessinher；
anervousseizure，whichhadlastedsomehours——andhehadquitegivenupeverythoughtofcoming，tillverylate；——andhadheknownhowhotarideheshouldhave，andhowlate，withallhishurry，hemustbe，hebelievedheshouldnothavecomeatall。Theheatwasexcessive；
hehadneversufferedanythinglikeit——almostwishedhehadstaidathome——nothingkilledhimlikeheat——hecouldbearanydegreeofcold，etc。，butheatwasintolerable——andhesatdown，atthegreatestpossibledistancefromtheslightremainsofMr。Woodhouse’sfire，lookingverydeplorable。
“Youwillsoonbecooler，ifyousitstill。”saidEmma。
“AssoonasIamcoolerIshallgobackagain。Icouldveryillbespared——butsuchapointhadbeenmadeofmycoming！
YouwillallbegoingsoonIsuppose；thewholepartybreakingup。
ImetoneasIcame——Madnessinsuchweather！——absolutemadness！“
Emmalistened，andlooked，andsoonperceivedthatFrankChurchill’sstatemightbebestdefinedbytheexpressivephraseofbeingoutofhumour。Somepeoplewerealwayscrosswhentheywerehot。
Suchmightbehisconstitution；andassheknewthateatinganddrinkingwereoftenthecureofsuchincidentalcomplaints，sherecommendedhistakingsomerefreshment；hewouldfindabundanceofeverythinginthedining-room——andshehumanelypointedoutthedoor。
“No——heshouldnoteat。Hewasnothungry；itwouldonlymakehimhotter。”Intwominutes，however，herelentedinhisownfavour；
andmutteringsomethingaboutspruce-beer，walkedoff。Emmareturnedallherattentiontoherfather，sayinginsecret——
“IamgladIhavedonebeinginlovewithhim。Ishouldnotlikeamanwhoissosoondiscomposedbyahotmorning。Harriet’ssweeteasytemperwillnotmindit。”
Hewasgonelongenoughtohavehadaverycomfortablemeal，andcamebackallthebetter——grownquitecool——and，withgoodmanners，likehimself——abletodrawachairclosetothem，takeaninterestintheiremployment；andregret，inareasonableway，thatheshouldbesolate。Hewasnotinhisbestspirits，butseemedtryingtoimprovethem；and，atlast，madehimselftalknonsenseveryagreeably。TheywerelookingoverviewsinSwisserland。
“Assoonasmyauntgetswell，Ishallgoabroad。”saidhe。
“IshallneverbeeasytillIhaveseensomeoftheseplaces。
Youwillhavemysketches，sometimeorother，tolookat——ormytourtoread——ormypoem。Ishalldosomethingtoexposemyself。”
“Thatmaybe——butnotbysketchesinSwisserland。YouwillnevergotoSwisserland。YouruncleandauntwillneverallowyoutoleaveEngland。”
“Theymaybeinducedtogotoo。Awarmclimatemaybeprescribedforher。Ihavemorethanhalfanexpectationofourallgoingabroad。
IassureyouIhave。Ifeelastrongpersuasion，thismorning，thatIshallsoonbeabroad。Ioughttotravel。Iamtiredofdoingnothing。Iwantachange。Iamserious，MissWoodhouse，whateveryourpenetratingeyesmayfancy——IamsickofEngland——
andwouldleaveitto-morrow，ifIcould。”
“Youaresickofprosperityandindulgence。Cannotyouinventafewhardshipsforyourself，andbecontentedtostay？“
“Isickofprosperityandindulgence！Youarequitemistaken。
Idonotlookuponmyselfaseitherprosperousorindulged。I
amthwartedineverythingmaterial。Idonotconsidermyselfatallafortunateperson。”
“Youarenotquitesomiserable，though，aswhenyoufirstcame。
Goandeatanddrinkalittlemore，andyouwilldoverywell。
Anothersliceofcoldmeat，anotherdraughtofMadeiraandwater，willmakeyounearlyonaparwiththerestofus。”
“No——Ishallnotstir。Ishallsitbyyou。Youaremybestcure。”
“WearegoingtoBoxHillto-morrow；——youwilljoinus。
ItisnotSwisserland，butitwillbesomethingforayoungmansomuchinwantofachange。Youwillstay，andgowithus？“
“No，certainlynot；Ishallgohomeinthecooloftheevening。”
“Butyoumaycomeagaininthecoolofto-morrowmorning。”
“No——Itwillnotbeworthwhile。IfIcome，Ishallbecross。”
“ThenpraystayatRichmond。”
“ButifIdo，Ishallbecrosserstill。Icanneverbeartothinkofyoualltherewithoutme。”
“Thesearedifficultieswhichyoumustsettleforyourself。
Chuseyourowndegreeofcrossness。Ishallpressyounomore。”
Therestofthepartywerenowreturning，andallweresooncollected。
WithsometherewasgreatjoyatthesightofFrankChurchill；
otherstookitverycomposedly；buttherewasaverygeneraldistressanddisturbanceonMissFairfax’sdisappearancebeingexplained。
Thatitwastimeforeverybodytogo，concludedthesubject；andwithashortfinalarrangementforthenextday’sscheme，theyparted。
FrankChurchill’slittleinclinationtoexcludehimselfincreasedsomuch，thathislastwordstoEmmawere，“Well；——ifyouwishmetostayandjointheparty，Iwill。”
Shesmiledheracceptance；andnothinglessthanasummonsfromRichmondwastotakehimbackbeforethefollowingevening。
Chapter07CHAPTERVII
TheyhadaveryfinedayforBoxHill；andalltheotheroutwardcircumstancesofarrangement，accommodation，andpunctuality，wereinfavourofapleasantparty。Mr。Westondirectedthewhole，officiatingsafelybetweenHartfieldandtheVicarage，andeverybodywasingoodtime。EmmaandHarrietwenttogether；MissBatesandherniece，withtheEltons；thegentlemenonhorseback。
Mrs。WestonremainedwithMr。Woodhouse。Nothingwaswantingbuttobehappywhentheygotthere。Sevenmilesweretravelledinexpectationofenjoyment，andeverybodyhadaburstofadmirationonfirstarriving；butinthegeneralamountofthedaytherewasdeficiency。Therewasalanguor，awantofspirits，awantofunion，whichcouldnotbegotover。Theyseparatedtoomuchintoparties。
TheEltonswalkedtogether；Mr。KnightleytookchargeofMissBatesandJane；andEmmaandHarrietbelongedtoFrankChurchill。
AndMr。Westontried，invain，tomakethemharmonisebetter。
Itseemedatfirstanaccidentaldivision，butitnevermateriallyvaried。
Mr。andMrs。Elton，indeed，shewednounwillingnesstomix，andbeasagreeableastheycould；butduringthetwowholehoursthatwerespentonthehill，thereseemedaprincipleofseparation，betweentheotherparties，toostrongforanyfineprospects，oranycoldcollation，oranycheerfulMr。Weston，toremove。
AtfirstitwasdownrightdulnesstoEmma。ShehadneverseenFrankChurchillsosilentandstupid。Hesaidnothingworthhearing——
lookedwithoutseeing——admiredwithoutintelligence——listenedwithoutknowingwhatshesaid。Whilehewassodull，itwasnowonderthatHarrietshouldbedulllikewise；andtheywerebothinsufferable。
Whentheyallsatdownitwasbetter；tohertasteagreatdealbetter，forFrankChurchillgrewtalkativeandgay，makingherhisfirstobject。
Everydistinguishingattentionthatcouldbepaid，waspaidtoher。
Toamuseher，andbeagreeableinhereyes，seemedallthathecaredfor——andEmma，gladtobeenlivened，notsorrytobeflattered，wasgayandeasytoo，andgavehimallthefriendlyencouragement，theadmissiontobegallant，whichshehadevergiveninthefirstandmostanimatingperiodoftheiracquaintance；butwhichnow，inherownestimation，meantnothing，thoughinthejudgmentofmostpeoplelookingonitmusthavehadsuchanappearanceasnoEnglishwordbutflirtationcouldverywelldescribe。“Mr。FrankChurchillandMissWoodhouseflirtedtogetherexcessively。”Theywerelayingthemselvesopentothatveryphrase——andtohavingitsentoffinalettertoMapleGrovebyonelady，toIrelandbyanother。
NotthatEmmawasgayandthoughtlessfromanyrealfelicity；
itwasratherbecauseshefeltlesshappythanshehadexpected。
Shelaughedbecauseshewasdisappointed；andthoughshelikedhimforhisattentions，andthoughtthemall，whetherinfriendship，admiration，orplayfulness，extremelyjudicious，theywerenotwinningbackherheart。Shestillintendedhimforherfriend。
“HowmuchIamobligedtoyou。”saidhe，“fortellingmetocometo-day！——
Ifithadnotbeenforyou，Ishouldcertainlyhavelostallthehappinessofthisparty。Ihadquitedeterminedtogoawayagain。”
“Yes，youwereverycross；andIdonotknowwhatabout，exceptthatyouweretoolateforthebeststrawberries。
Iwasakinderfriendthanyoudeserved。Butyouwerehumble。
Youbeggedhardtobecommandedtocome。”
“Don’tsayIwascross。Iwasfatigued。Theheatovercameme。”
“Itishotterto-day。”
“Nottomyfeelings。Iamperfectlycomfortableto-day。”
“Youarecomfortablebecauseyouareundercommand。”
“Yourcommand？——Yes。”
“PerhapsIintendedyoutosayso，butImeantself-command。Youhad，somehoworother，brokenboundsyesterday，andrunawayfromyourownmanagement；butto-dayyouaregotbackagain——andasIcannotbealwayswithyou，itisbesttobelieveyourtemperunderyourowncommandratherthanmine。”
“Itcomestothesamething。Icanhavenoself-commandwithoutamotive。Youorderme，whetheryouspeakornot。Andyoucanbealwayswithme。Youarealwayswithme。”
“Datingfromthreeo’clockyesterday。Myperpetualinfluencecouldnotbeginearlier，oryouwouldnothavebeensomuchoutofhumourbefore。”
“Threeo’clockyesterday！Thatisyourdate。IthoughtI
hadseenyoufirstinFebruary。”
“Yourgallantryisreallyunanswerable。Butloweringhervoice——
nobodyspeaksexceptourselves，anditisrathertoomuchtobetalkingnonsensefortheentertainmentofsevensilentpeople。”
“IsaynothingofwhichIamashamed。”repliedhe，withlivelyimpudence。
“IsawyoufirstinFebruary。LeteverybodyontheHillhearmeiftheycan。LetmyaccentsswelltoMicklehamononeside，andDorkingontheother。IsawyoufirstinFebruary。”Andthenwhispering——
“Ourcompanionsareexcessivelystupid。Whatshallwedotorousethem？
Anynonsensewillserve。Theyshalltalk。Ladiesandgentlemen，IamorderedbyMissWoodhousewho，whereversheis，presides
tosay，thatshedesirestoknowwhatyouareallthinkingof？“
Somelaughed，andansweredgood-humouredly。MissBatessaidagreatdeal；
Mrs。EltonswelledattheideaofMissWoodhouse’spresiding；
Mr。Knightley’sanswerwasthemostdistinct。
“IsMissWoodhousesurethatshewouldliketohearwhatweareallthinkingof？“
“Oh！no，no“——criedEmma，laughingascarelesslyasshecould——
“Uponnoaccountintheworld。ItistheverylastthingI
wouldstandthebruntofjustnow。Letmehearanythingratherthanwhatyouareallthinkingof。Iwillnotsayquiteall。
Thereareoneortwo，perhaps，glancingatMr。WestonandHarriet，
whosethoughtsImightnotbeafraidofknowing。”
“Itisasortofthing。”criedMrs。Eltonemphatically，“whichIshouldnothavethoughtmyselfprivilegedtoinquireinto。Though，perhaps，astheChaperonoftheparty——
Ineverwasinanycircle——exploringparties——youngladies——marriedwomen——“
Hermutteringswerechieflytoherhusband；andhemurmured，inreply，“Verytrue，mylove，verytrue。Exactlyso，indeed——quiteunheardof——
butsomeladiessayanything。Betterpassitoffasajoke。
Everybodyknowswhatisduetoyou。”
“Itwillnotdo。”whisperedFranktoEmma；“theyaremostofthemaffronted。Iwillattackthemwithmoreaddress。
Ladiesandgentlemen——IamorderedbyMissWoodhousetosay，thatshewaivesherrightofknowingexactlywhatyoumayallbethinkingof，andonlyrequiressomethingveryentertainingfromeachofyou，inageneralway。Herearesevenofyou，besidesmyself，who，sheispleasedtosay，amveryentertainingalready，andsheonlydemandsfromeachofyoueitheronethingveryclever，beitproseorverse，originalorrepeated——ortwothingsmoderatelyclever——
orthreethingsverydullindeed，andsheengagestolaughheartilyatthemall。”
“Oh！verywell。”exclaimedMissBates，“thenIneednotbeuneasy。
`Threethingsverydullindeed。’Thatwilljustdoforme，youknow。
IshallbesuretosaythreedullthingsassoonaseverIopenmymouth，shan’tI？lookingroundwiththemostgood-humoureddependenceoneverybody’sassent——DonotyouallthinkIshall？“
Emmacouldnotresist。
“Ah！ma’am，buttheremaybeadifficulty。Pardonme——butyouwillbelimitedastonumber——onlythreeatonce。”
MissBates，deceivedbythemockceremonyofhermanner，didnotimmediatelycatchhermeaning；but，whenitburstonher，itcouldnotanger，thoughaslightblushshewedthatitcouldpainher。
“Ah！——well——tobesure。Yes，Iseewhatshemeans，turningtoMr。Knightley，andIwilltrytoholdmytongue。Imustmakemyselfverydisagreeable，orshewouldnothavesaidsuchathingtoanoldfriend。”
“Ilikeyourplan。”criedMr。Weston。“Agreed，agreed。I
willdomybest。Iammakingaconundrum。Howwillaconundrumreckon？“
“Low，Iamafraid，sir，verylow。”answeredhisson；——“butweshallbeindulgent——especiallytoanyonewholeadstheway。”
“No，no。”saidEmma，“itwillnotreckonlow。AconundrumofMr。Weston’sshallclearhimandhisnextneighbour。Come，sir，prayletmehearit。”
“Idoubtitsbeingveryclevermyself。”saidMr。Weston。
“Itistoomuchamatteroffact，buthereitis——Whattwolettersofthealphabetarethere，thatexpressperfection？“
“Whattwoletters！——expressperfection！IamsureIdonotknow。”
“Ah！youwillneverguess。You，toEmma，Iamcertain，willneverguess——Iwilltellyou——M。andA——Em-ma——Doyouunderstand？“
Understandingandgratificationcametogether。Itmightbeaveryindifferentpieceofwit，butEmmafoundagreatdealtolaughatandenjoyinit——andsodidFrankandHarriet——Itdidnotseemtotouchtherestofthepartyequally；somelookedverystupidaboutit，andMr。Knightleygravelysaid，“Thisexplainsthesortofcleverthingthatiswanted，andMr。Westonhasdoneverywellforhimself；buthemusthaveknockedupeverybodyelse。Perfectionshouldnothavecomequitesosoon。”
“Oh！formyself，IprotestImustbeexcused。”saidMrs。Elton；
“Ireallycannotattempt——Iamnotatallfondofthesortofthing。
Ihadanacrosticoncesenttomeuponmyownname，whichIwasnotatallpleasedwith。Iknewwhoitcamefrom。Anabominablepuppy！——
YouknowwhoImeannoddingtoherhusband。ThesekindofthingsareverywellatChristmas，whenoneissittingroundthefire；
butquiteoutofplace，inmyopinion，whenoneisexploringaboutthecountryinsummer。MissWoodhousemustexcuseme。
Iamnotoneofthosewhohavewittythingsateverybody’sservice。
Idonotpretendtobeawit。Ihaveagreatdealofvivacityinmyownway，butIreallymustbeallowedtojudgewhentospeakandwhentoholdmytongue。Passus，ifyouplease，Mr。Churchill。
PassMr。E。，Knightley，Jane，andmyself。Wehavenothingclevertosay——
notoneofus。
“Yes，yes，praypassme。”addedherhusband，withasortofsneeringconsciousness；“IhavenothingtosaythatcanentertainMissWoodhouse，oranyotheryounglady。Anoldmarriedman——
quitegoodfornothing。Shallwewalk，Augusta？“
“Withallmyheart。Iamreallytiredofexploringsolongononespot。Come，Jane，takemyotherarm。”