Myinterferencewasquiteaslikelytodoharmasgood。Itwasverynaturalforyoutosay，whatrighthashetolectureme？——
andIamafraidverynaturalforyoutofeelthatitwasdoneinadisagreeablemanner。IdonotbelieveIdidyouanygood。
Thegoodwasalltomyself，bymakingyouanobjectofthetenderestaffectiontome。Icouldnotthinkaboutyousomuchwithoutdoatingonyou，faultsandall；andbydintoffancyingsomanyerrors，havebeeninlovewithyoueversinceyouwerethirteenatleast。”
“Iamsureyouwereofusetome。”criedEmma。“Iwasveryofteninfluencedrightlybyyou——oftenerthanIwouldownatthetime。
Iamverysureyoudidmegood。AndifpoorlittleAnnaWestonistobespoiled，itwillbethegreatesthumanityinyoutodoasmuchforherasyouhavedoneforme，exceptfallinginlovewithherwhensheisthirteen。”
“Howoften，whenyouwereagirl，haveyousaidtome，withoneofyoursaucylooks——`Mr。Knightley，Iamgoingtodoso-and-so；
papasaysImay，orIhaveMissTaylor’sleave’——somethingwhich，youknew，Ididnotapprove。Insuchcasesmyinterferencewasgivingyoutwobadfeelingsinsteadofone。”
“WhatanamiablecreatureIwas！——Nowonderyoushouldholdmyspeechesinsuchaffectionateremembrance。”
“`Mr。Knightley。’——Youalwayscalledme，`Mr。Knightley；’and，fromhabit，ithasnotsoveryformalasound——Andyetitisformal。
Iwantyoutocallmesomethingelse，butIdonotknowwhat。”
“Irememberoncecallingyou`George，’inoneofmyamiablefits，abouttenyearsago。IdiditbecauseIthoughtitwouldoffendyou；
but，asyoumadenoobjection，Ineverdiditagain。”
“Andcannotyoucallme`George’now？“
“Impossible！——Inevercancallyouanythingbut`Mr。Knightley。’
IwillnotpromiseeventoequaltheeleganttersenessofMrs。Elton，bycallingyouMr。K——ButIwillpromise。”sheaddedpresently，laughingandblushing——“IwillpromisetocallyouoncebyyourChristianname。Idonotsaywhen，butperhapsyoumayguesswhere；——inthebuildinginwhichN。takesM。forbetter，forworse。”
Emmagrievedthatshecouldnotbemoreopenlyjusttooneimportantservicewhichhisbettersensewouldhaverenderedher，totheadvicewhichwouldhavesavedherfromtheworstofallherwomanlyfollies——herwilfulintimacywithHarrietSmith；
butitwastootenderasubject——Shecouldnotenteronit——
Harrietwasveryseldommentionedbetweenthem。This，onhisside，mightmerelyproceedfromhernotbeingthoughtof；butEmmawasratherinclinedtoattributeittodelicacy，andasuspicion，fromsomeappearances，thattheirfriendshipweredeclining。
Shewasawareherself，that，partingunderanyothercircumstances，theycertainlyshouldhavecorrespondedmore，andthatherintelligencewouldnothaverested，asitnowalmostwhollydid，onIsabella’sletters。Hemightobservethatitwasso。
Thepainofbeingobligedtopractiseconcealmenttowardshim，wasverylittleinferiortothepainofhavingmadeHarrietunhappy。
Isabellasentquiteasgoodanaccountofhervisitorascouldbeexpected；onherfirstarrivalshehadthoughtheroutofspirits，whichappearedperfectlynatural，astherewasadentisttobeconsulted；but，sincethatbusinesshadbeenover，shedidnotappeartofindHarrietdifferentfromwhatshehadknownherbefore——
Isabella，tobesure，wasnoveryquickobserver；yetifHarriethadnotbeenequaltoplayingwiththechildren，itwouldnothaveescapedher。Emma’scomfortsandhopesweremostagreeablycarriedon，byHarriet’sbeingtostaylonger；herfortnightwaslikelytobeamonthatleast。Mr。andMrs。JohnKnightleyweretocomedowninAugust，andshewasinvitedtoremaintilltheycouldbringherback。
“Johndoesnotevenmentionyourfriend。”saidMr。Knightley。
“Hereishisanswer，ifyouliketoseeit。”
Itwastheanswertothecommunicationofhisintendedmarriage。
Emmaaccepteditwithaveryeagerhand，withanimpatienceallalivetoknowwhathewouldsayaboutit，andnotatallcheckedbyhearingthatherfriendwasunmentioned。
“Johnenterslikeabrotherintomyhappiness。”continuedMr。Knightley，“butheisnocomplimenter；andthoughIwellknowhimtohave，likewise，amostbrotherlyaffectionforyou，heissofarfrommakingflourishes，thatanyotheryoungwomanmightthinkhimrathercoolinherpraise。ButIamnotafraidofyourseeingwhathewrites。”
“Hewriteslikeasensibleman。”repliedEmma，whenshehadreadtheletter。“Ihonourhissincerity。Itisveryplainthatheconsidersthegoodfortuneoftheengagementasallonmyside，butthatheisnotwithouthopeofmygrowing，intime，asworthyofyouraffection，asyouthinkmealready。Hadhesaidanythingtobearadifferentconstruction，Ishouldnothavebelievedhim。”
“MyEmma，hemeansnosuchthing。Heonlymeans——“
“HeandIshoulddifferverylittleinourestimationofthetwo。”
interruptedshe，withasortofserioussmile——“muchless，perhaps，thanheisawareof，ifwecouldenterwithoutceremonyorreserveonthesubject。”
“Emma，mydearEmma——“
“Oh！“shecriedwithmorethoroughgaiety，“ifyoufancyyourbrotherdoesnotdomejustice，onlywaittillmydearfatherisinthesecret，andhearhisopinion。Dependuponit，hewillbemuchfartherfromdoingyoujustice。Hewillthinkallthehappiness，alltheadvantage，onyoursideofthequestion；allthemeritonmine。IwishImaynotsinkinto`poorEmma’withhimatonce——
Histendercompassiontowardsoppressedworthcangonofarther。”
“Ah！“hecried，“IwishyourfathermightbehalfaseasilyconvincedasJohnwillbe，ofourhavingeveryrightthatequalworthcangive，tobehappytogether。IamamusedbyonepartofJohn’sletter——
didyounoticeit？——wherehesays，thatmyinformationdidnottakehimwhollybysurprize，thathewasratherinexpectationofhearingsomethingofthekind。”
“IfIunderstandyourbrother，heonlymeanssofarasyourhavingsomethoughtsofmarrying。Hehadnoideaofme。Heseemsperfectlyunpreparedforthat。”
“Yes，yes——butIamamusedthatheshouldhaveseensofarintomyfeelings。Whathashebeenjudgingby？——Iamnotconsciousofanydifferenceinmyspiritsorconversationthatcouldpreparehimatthistimeformymarryinganymorethanatanother——
Butitwasso，Isuppose。IdaresaytherewasadifferencewhenI
wasstayingwiththemtheotherday。IbelieveIdidnotplaywiththechildrenquitesomuchasusual。Irememberoneeveningthepoorboyssaying，`Uncleseemsalwaystirednow。’“
Thetimewascomingwhenthenewsmustspreadfarther，andotherpersons’
receptionofittried。AssoonasMrs。WestonwassufficientlyrecoveredtoadmitMr。Woodhouse’svisits，Emmahavingitinviewthathergentlereasoningsshouldbeemployedinthecause，resolvedfirsttoannounceitathome，andthenatRandalls——
Buthowtobreakittoherfatheratlast！——Shehadboundherselftodoit，insuchanhourofMr。Knightley’sabsence，orwhenitcametothepointherheartwouldhavefailedher，andshemusthaveputitoff；butMr。Knightleywastocomeatsuchatime，andfollowupthebeginningshewastomake——Shewasforcedtospeak，andtospeakcheerfullytoo。Shemustnotmakeitamoredecidedsubjectofmiserytohim，byamelancholytoneherself。
Shemustnotappeartothinkitamisfortune——Withallthespiritsshecouldcommand，shepreparedhimfirstforsomethingstrange，andthen，inafewwords，said，thatifhisconsentandapprobationcouldbeobtained——which，shetrusted，wouldbeattendedwithnodifficulty，sinceitwasaplantopromotethehappinessofall——
sheandMr。Knightleymeanttomarry；bywhichmeansHartfieldwouldreceivetheconstantadditionofthatperson’scompanywhomsheknewheloved，nexttohisdaughtersandMrs。Weston，bestintheworld。
Poorman！——itwasatfirstaconsiderableshocktohim，andhetriedearnestlytodissuadeherfromit。Shewasreminded，morethanonce，ofhavingalwayssaidshewouldnevermarry，andassuredthatitwouldbeagreatdealbetterforhertoremainsingle；andtoldofpoorIsabella，andpoorMissTaylor——Butitwouldnotdo。Emmahungabouthimaffectionately，andsmiled，andsaiditmustbeso；andthathemustnotclassherwithIsabellaandMrs。Weston，whosemarriagestakingthemfromHartfield，had，indeed，madeamelancholychange：
butshewasnotgoingfromHartfield；sheshouldbealwaysthere；
shewasintroducingnochangeintheirnumbersortheircomfortsbutforthebetter；andshewasverysurethathewouldbeagreatdealthehappierforhavingMr。Knightleyalwaysathand，whenhewereoncegotusedtotheidea——DidhenotloveMr。Knightleyverymuch？——
Hewouldnotdenythathedid，shewassure——WhomdidheeverwanttoconsultonbusinessbutMr。Knightley？——Whowassousefultohim，whosoreadytowritehisletters，whosogladtoassisthim？——
Whosocheerful，soattentive，soattachedtohim？——Wouldnotheliketohavehimalwaysonthespot？——Yes。Thatwasallverytrue。
Mr。Knightleycouldnotbetheretoooften；heshouldbegladtoseehimeveryday；——buttheydidseehimeverydayasitwas——Whycouldnottheygoonastheyhaddone？
Mr。Woodhousecouldnotbesoonreconciled；buttheworstwasovercome，theideawasgiven；timeandcontinualrepetitionmustdotherest——
ToEmma’sentreatiesandassurancessucceededMr。Knightley’s，whosefondpraiseofhergavethesubjectevenakindofwelcome；
andhewassoonusedtobetalkedtobyeach，oneveryfairoccasion——
TheyhadalltheassistancewhichIsabellacouldgive，bylettersofthestrongestapprobation；andMrs。Westonwasready，onthefirstmeeting，toconsiderthesubjectinthemostserviceablelight——first，asasettled，and，secondly，asagoodone——
wellawareofthenearlyequalimportanceofthetworecommendationstoMr。Woodhouse’smind——Itwasagreedupon，aswhatwastobe；
andeverybodybywhomhewasusedtobeguidedassuringhimthatitwouldbeforhishappiness；andhavingsomefeelingshimselfwhichalmostadmittedit，hebegantothinkthatsometimeorother——
inanotheryearortwo，perhaps——itmightnotbesoverybadifthemarriagedidtakeplace。
Mrs。Westonwasactingnopart，feigningnofeelingsinallthatshesaidtohiminfavouroftheevent——Shehadbeenextremelysurprized，nevermoreso，thanwhenEmmafirstopenedtheaffairtoher；
butshesawinitonlyincreaseofhappinesstoall，andhadnoscrupleinurginghimtotheutmost——ShehadsucharegardforMr。Knightley，astothinkhedeservedevenherdearestEmma；
anditwasineveryrespectsoproper，suitable，andunexceptionableaconnexion，andinonerespect，onepointofthehighestimportance，sopeculiarlyeligible，sosingularlyfortunate，thatnowitseemedasifEmmacouldnotsafelyhaveattachedherselftoanyothercreature，andthatshehadherselfbeenthestupidestofbeingsinnothavingthoughtofit，andwisheditlongago——HowveryfewofthosemeninarankoflifetoaddressEmmawouldhaverenouncedtheirownhomeforHartfield！AndwhobutMr。KnightleycouldknowandbearwithMr。Woodhouse，soastomakesuchanarrangementdesirable！——
ThedifficultyofdisposingofpoorMr。Woodhousehadbeenalwaysfeltinherhusband’splansandherown，foramarriagebetweenFrankandEmma。HowtosettletheclaimsofEnscombeandHartfieldhadbeenacontinualimpediment——lessacknowledgedbyMr。Westonthanbyherself——butevenhehadneverbeenabletofinishthesubjectbetterthanbysaying——“Thosematterswilltakecareofthemselves；
theyoungpeoplewillfindaway。”Butheretherewasnothingtobeshiftedoffinawildspeculationonthefuture。Itwasallright，allopen，allequal。Nosacrificeonanysideworththename。
Itwasaunionofthehighestpromiseoffelicityinitself，andwithoutonereal，rationaldifficultytoopposeordelayit。
Mrs。Weston，withherbabyonherknee，indulginginsuchreflectionsasthese，wasoneofthehappiestwomenintheworld。Ifanythingcouldincreaseherdelight，itwasperceivingthatthebabywouldsoonhaveoutgrownitsfirstsetofcaps。
Thenewswasuniversallyasurprizewhereveritspread；
andMr。Westonhadhisfiveminutesshareofit；butfiveminuteswereenoughtofamiliarisetheideatohisquicknessofmind——
Hesawtheadvantagesofthematch，andrejoicedinthemwithalltheconstancyofhiswife；butthewonderofitwasverysoonnothing；
andbytheendofanhourhewasnotfarfrombelievingthathehadalwaysforeseenit。
“Itistobeasecret，Iconclude。”saidhe。“Thesemattersarealwaysasecret，tillitisfoundoutthateverybodyknowsthem。
OnlyletmebetoldwhenImayspeakout——IwonderwhetherJanehasanysuspicion。”
HewenttoHighburythenextmorning，andsatisfiedhimselfonthatpoint。Hetoldherthenews。Wasnotshelikeadaughter，hiseldestdaughter？——hemusttellher；andMissBatesbeingpresent，itpassed，ofcourse，toMrs。Cole，Mrs。Perry，andMrs。Elton，immediatelyafterwards。Itwasnomorethantheprincipalswerepreparedfor；theyhadcalculatedfromthetimeofitsbeingknownatRandalls，howsoonitwouldbeoverHighbury；andwerethinkingofthemselves，astheeveningwonderinmanyafamilycircle，withgreatsagacity。
Ingeneral，itwasaverywellapprovedmatch。Somemightthinkhim，andothersmightthinkher，themostinluck。OnesetmightrecommendtheirallremovingtoDonwell，andleavingHartfieldfortheJohnKnightleys；andanothermightpredictdisagreementsamongtheirservants；butyet，uponthewhole，therewasnoseriousobjectionraised，exceptinonehabitation，theVicarage——There，thesurprizewasnotsoftenedbyanysatisfaction。Mr。Eltoncaredlittleaboutit，comparedwithhiswife；heonlyhoped“theyounglady’spridewouldnowbecontented；“andsupposed“shehadalwaysmeanttocatchKnightleyifshecould；“and，onthepointoflivingatHartfield，coulddaringlyexclaim，“RatherhethanI！“——
ButMrs。Eltonwasverymuchdiscomposedindeed——“PoorKnightley！
poorfellow！——sadbusinessforhim——Shewasextremelyconcerned；
for，thoughveryeccentric，hehadathousandgoodqualities——
Howcouldhebesotakenin？——Didnotthinkhimatallinlove——
notintheleast——PoorKnightley！——Therewouldbeanendofallpleasantintercoursewithhim——Howhappyhehadbeentocomeanddinewiththemwhenevertheyaskedhim！Butthatwouldbeallovernow——
Poorfellow！——NomoreexploringpartiestoDonwellmadeforher。
Oh！no；therewouldbeaMrs。Knightleytothrowcoldwateroneverything——Extremelydisagreeable！Butshewasnotatallsorrythatshehadabusedthehousekeepertheotherday——Shockingplan，livingtogether。Itwouldneverdo。SheknewafamilynearMapleGrovewhohadtriedit，andbeenobligedtoseparatebeforetheendofthefirstquarter。
Chapter18CHAPTERXVIII
Timepassedon。Afewmoreto-morrows，andthepartyfromLondonwouldbearriving。Itwasanalarmingchange；andEmmawasthinkingofitonemorning，aswhatmustbringagreatdealtoagitateandgrieveher，whenMr。Knightleycamein，anddistressingthoughtswereputby。Afterthefirstchatofpleasurehewassilent；
andthen，inagravertone，beganwith，“Ihavesomethingtotellyou，Emma；somenews。”
“Goodorbad？“saidshe，quickly，lookingupinhisface。
“Idonotknowwhichitoughttobecalled。”
“Oh！goodIamsure——Iseeitinyourcountenance。Youaretryingnottosmile。”
“Iamafraid。”saidhe，composinghisfeatures，“Iamverymuchafraid，mydearEmma，thatyouwillnotsmilewhenyouhearit。”
“Indeed！butwhyso？——Icanhardlyimaginethatanythingwhichpleasesoramusesyou，shouldnotpleaseandamusemetoo。”
“Thereisonesubject。”hereplied，“Ihopebutone，onwhichwedonotthinkalike。”Hepausedamoment，againsmiling，withhiseyesfixedonherface。“Doesnothingoccurtoyou？——
Donotyourecollect？——HarrietSmith。”
Hercheeksflushedatthename，andshefeltafraidofsomething，thoughsheknewnotwhat。
“Haveyouheardfromheryourselfthismorning？“criedhe。
“Youhave，Ibelieve，andknowthewhole。”
“No，Ihavenot；Iknownothing；praytellme。”
“Youarepreparedfortheworst，Isee——andverybaditis。
HarrietSmithmarriesRobertMartin。”
Emmagaveastart，whichdidnotseemlikebeingprepared——
andhereyes，ineagergaze，said，“No，thisisimpossible！“
butherlipswereclosed。
“Itisso，indeed。”continuedMr。Knightley；“IhaveitfromRobertMartinhimself。Heleftmenothalfanhourago。”
Shewasstilllookingathimwiththemostspeakingamazement。
“Youlikeit，myEmma，aslittleasIfeared——Iwishouropinionswerethesame。Butintimetheywill。Time，youmaybesure，willmakeoneortheotherofusthinkdifferently；and，inthemeanwhile，weneednottalkmuchonthesubject。”
“Youmistakeme，youquitemistakeme。”shereplied，exertingherself。
“Itisnotthatsuchacircumstancewouldnowmakemeunhappy，butIcannotbelieveit。Itseemsanimpossibility！——Youcannotmeantosay，thatHarrietSmithhasacceptedRobertMartin。Youcannotmeanthathehasevenproposedtoheragain——yet。Youonlymean，thatheintendsit。”
“Imeanthathehasdoneit。”answeredMr。Knightley，withsmilingbutdetermineddecision，“andbeenaccepted。”
“GoodGod！“shecried——“Well！“——Thenhavingrecoursetoherworkbasket，inexcuseforleaningdownherface，andconcealingalltheexquisitefeelingsofdelightandentertainmentwhichsheknewshemustbeexpressing，sheadded，“Well，nowtellmeeverything；
makethisintelligibletome。How，where，when？——Letmeknowitall。
Ineverwasmoresurprized——butitdoesnotmakemeunhappy，Iassureyou——How——howhasitbeenpossible？“
“Itisaverysimplestory。Hewenttotownonbusinessthreedaysago，andIgothimtotakechargeofsomepaperswhichIwaswantingtosendtoJohn——HedeliveredthesepaperstoJohn，athischambers，andwasaskedbyhimtojointheirpartythesameeveningtoAstley’s。
TheyweregoingtotakethetwoeldestboystoAstley’s。Thepartywastobeourbrotherandsister，Henry，John——andMissSmith。
MyfriendRobertcouldnotresist。Theycalledforhimintheirway；
wereallextremelyamused；andmybrotheraskedhimtodinewiththemthenextday——whichhedid——andinthecourseofthatvisitasIunderstandhefoundanopportunityofspeakingtoHarriet；
andcertainlydidnotspeakinvain——Shemadehim，byheracceptance，ashappyevenasheisdeserving。Hecamedownbyyesterday’scoach，andwaswithmethismorningimmediatelyafterbreakfast，toreporthisproceedings，firstonmyaffairs，andthenonhisown。
ThisisallthatIcanrelateofthehow，where，andwhen。
YourfriendHarrietwillmakeamuchlongerhistorywhenyouseeher——
Shewillgiveyoualltheminuteparticulars，whichonlywoman’slanguagecanmakeinteresting——Inourcommunicationswedealonlyinthegreat——However，Imustsay，thatRobertMartin’sheartseemedforhim，andtome，veryoverflowing；andthathedidmention，withoutitsbeingmuchtothepurpose，thatonquittingtheirboxatAstley’s，mybrothertookchargeofMrs。JohnKnightleyandlittleJohn，andhefollowedwithMissSmithandHenry；
andthatatonetimetheywereinsuchacrowd，astomakeMissSmithratheruneasy。”
Hestopped——Emmadarednotattemptanyimmediatereply。Tospeak，shewassurewouldbetobetrayamostunreasonabledegreeofhappiness。Shemustwaitamoment，orhewouldthinkhermad。
Hersilencedisturbedhim；andafterobservingheralittlewhile，headded，“Emma，mylove，yousaidthatthiscircumstancewouldnotnowmakeyouunhappy；butIamafraiditgivesyoumorepainthanyouexpected。
Hissituationisanevil——butyoumustconsideritaswhatsatisfiesyourfriend；andIwillanswerforyourthinkingbetterandbetterofhimasyouknowhimmore。Hisgoodsenseandgoodprincipleswoulddelightyou——Asfarasthemanisconcerned，youcouldnotwishyourfriendinbetterhands。HisrankinsocietyIwouldalterifI
could，whichissayingagreatdealIassureyou，Emma——YoulaughatmeaboutWilliamLarkins；butIcouldquiteasillspareRobertMartin。”
Hewantedhertolookupandsmile；andhavingnowbroughtherselfnottosmiletoobroadly——shedid——cheerfullyanswering，“Youneednotbeatanypainstoreconcilemetothematch。I
thinkHarrietisdoingextremelywell。Herconnexionsmaybeworsethanhis。
Inrespectabilityofcharacter，therecanbenodoubtthattheyare。
Ihavebeensilentfromsurprizemerely，excessivesurprize。
Youcannotimaginehowsuddenlyithascomeonme！howpeculiarlyunpreparedIwas！——forIhadreasontobelieveherverylatelymoredeterminedagainsthim，muchmore，thanshewasbefore。”
“Yououghttoknowyourfriendbest。”repliedMr。Knightley；
“butIshouldsayshewasagood-tempered，soft-heartedgirl，notlikelytobevery，verydeterminedagainstanyyoungmanwhotoldherhelovedher。”
Emmacouldnothelplaughingassheanswered，“Uponmyword，IbelieveyouknowherquiteaswellasIdo——But，Mr。Knightley，areyouperfectlysurethatshehasabsolutelyanddownrightacceptedhim。Icouldsupposeshemightintime——butcanshealready？——
Didnotyoumisunderstandhim？——Youwerebothtalkingofotherthings；
ofbusiness，showsofcattle，ornewdrills——andmightnotyou，intheconfusionofsomanysubjects，mistakehim？——ItwasnotHarriet’shandthathewascertainof——itwasthedimensionsofsomefamousox。”
ThecontrastbetweenthecountenanceandairofMr。KnightleyandRobertMartinwas，atthismoment，sostrongtoEmma’sfeelings，andsostrongwastherecollectionofallthathadsorecentlypassedonHarriet’sside，sofreshthesoundofthosewords，spokenwithsuchemphasis，“No，IhopeIknowbetterthantothinkofRobertMartin。”thatshewasreallyexpectingtheintelligencetoprove，insomemeasure，premature。Itcouldnotbeotherwise。
“Doyoudaresaythis？“criedMr。Knightley。“Doyoudaretosupposemesogreatablockhead，asnottoknowwhatamanistalkingof？——
Whatdoyoudeserve？“
“Oh！Ialwaysdeservethebesttreatment，becauseIneverputupwithanyother；and，therefore，youmustgivemeaplain，directanswer。AreyouquitesurethatyouunderstandthetermsonwhichMr。MartinandHarrietnoware？“
“Iamquitesure。”hereplied，speakingverydistinctly，“thathetoldmeshehadacceptedhim；andthattherewasnoobscurity，nothingdoubtful，inthewordsheused；andIthinkIcangiveyouaproofthatitmustbeso。Heaskedmyopinionastowhathewasnowtodo。HeknewofnoonebutMrs。Goddardtowhomhecouldapplyforinformationofherrelationsorfriends。CouldI
mentionanythingmorefittobedone，thantogotoMrs。Goddard？
IassuredhimthatIcouldnot。Then，hesaid，hewouldendeavourtoseeherinthecourseofthisday。”
“Iamperfectlysatisfied。”repliedEmma，withthebrightestsmiles，“andmostsincerelywishthemhappy。”
“Youaremateriallychangedsincewetalkedonthissubjectbefore。”
“Ihopeso——foratthattimeIwasafool。”
“AndIamchangedalso；forIamnowverywillingtograntyouallHarriet’sgoodqualities。Ihavetakensomepainsforyoursake，andforRobertMartin’ssake，whomIhavealwayshadreasontobelieveasmuchinlovewithherasever，togetacquaintedwithher。
Ihaveoftentalkedtoheragooddeal。YoumusthaveseenthatIdid。Sometimes，indeed，IhavethoughtyouwerehalfsuspectingmeofpleadingpoorMartin’scause，whichwasneverthecase；but，fromallmyobservations，Iamconvincedofherbeinganartless，amiablegirl，withverygoodnotions，veryseriouslygoodprinciples，andplacingherhappinessintheaffectionsandutilityofdomesticlife——
Muchofthis，Ihavenodoubt，shemaythankyoufor。”
“Me！“criedEmma，shakingherhead——“Ah！poorHarriet！“
Shecheckedherself，however，andsubmittedquietlytoalittlemorepraisethanshedeserved。
Theirconversationwassoonafterwardsclosedbytheentranceofherfather。Shewasnotsorry。Shewantedtobealone。
Hermindwasinastateofflutterandwonder，whichmadeitimpossibleforhertobecollected。Shewasindancing，singing，exclaimingspirits；
andtillshehadmovedabout，andtalkedtoherself，andlaughedandreflected，shecouldbefitfornothingrational。
Herfather’sbusinesswastoannounceJames’sbeinggoneouttoputthehorsesto，preparatorytotheirnowdailydrivetoRandalls；
andshehad，therefore，animmediateexcusefordisappearing。
Thejoy，thegratitude，theexquisitedelightofhersensationsmaybeimagined。ThesolegrievanceandalloythusremovedintheprospectofHarriet’swelfare，shewasreallyindangerofbecomingtoohappyforsecurity——Whathadshetowishfor？Nothing，buttogrowmoreworthyofhim，whoseintentionsandjudgmenthadbeeneversosuperiortoherown。Nothing，butthatthelessonsofherpastfollymightteachherhumilityandcircumspectioninfuture。
Seriousshewas，veryseriousinherthankfulness，andinherresolutions；
andyettherewasnopreventingalaugh，sometimesintheverymidstofthem。Shemustlaughatsuchaclose！Suchanendofthedolefuldisappointmentoffiveweeksback！Suchaheart——suchaHarriet！
Nowtherewouldbepleasureinherreturning——Everythingwouldbeapleasure。ItwouldbeagreatpleasuretoknowRobertMartin。
Highintherankofhermostseriousandheartfeltfelicities，wasthereflectionthatallnecessityofconcealmentfromMr。Knightleywouldsoonbeover。Thedisguise，equivocation，mystery，sohatefultohertopractise，mightsoonbeover。
Shecouldnowlookforwardtogivinghimthatfullandperfectconfidencewhichherdispositionwasmostreadytowelcomeasaduty。
Inthegayestandhappiestspiritsshesetforwardwithherfather；
notalwayslistening，butalwaysagreeingtowhathesaid；
and，whetherinspeechorsilence，connivingatthecomfortablepersuasionofhisbeingobligedtogotoRandallseveryday，orpoorMrs。Westonwouldbedisappointed。
Theyarrived——Mrs。Westonwasaloneinthedrawing-room：——
buthardlyhadtheybeentoldofthebaby，andMr。Woodhousereceivedthethanksforcoming，whichheaskedfor，whenaglimpsewascaughtthroughtheblind，oftwofigurespassingnearthewindow。
“ItisFrankandMissFairfax。”saidMrs。Weston。“Iwasjustgoingtotellyouofouragreeablesurprizeinseeinghimarrivethismorning。Hestaystillto-morrow，andMissFairfaxhasbeenpersuadedtospendthedaywithus——Theyarecomingin，Ihope。”
Inhalfaminutetheywereintheroom。Emmawasextremelygladtoseehim——buttherewasadegreeofconfusion——anumberofembarrassingrecollectionsoneachside。Theymetreadilyandsmiling，butwithaconsciousnesswhichatfirstallowedlittletobesaid；
andhavingallsatdownagain，therewasforsometimesuchablankinthecircle，thatEmmabegantodoubtwhetherthewishnowindulged，whichshehadlongfelt，ofseeingFrankChurchilloncemore，andofseeinghimwithJane，wouldyielditsproportionofpleasure。
WhenMr。Westonjoinedtheparty，however，andwhenthebabywasfetched，therewasnolongerawantofsubjectoranimation——
orofcourageandopportunityforFrankChurchilltodrawnearherandsay，“Ihavetothankyou，MissWoodhouse，foraverykindforgivingmessageinoneofMrs。Weston’sletters。Ihopetimehasnotmadeyoulesswillingtopardon。Ihopeyoudonotretractwhatyouthensaid。”
“No，indeed。”criedEmma，mosthappytobegin，“notintheleast。
Iamparticularlygladtoseeandshakehandswithyou——andtogiveyoujoyinperson。”
Hethankedherwithallhisheart，andcontinuedsometimetospeakwithseriousfeelingofhisgratitudeandhappiness。
“Isnotshelookingwell？“saidhe，turninghiseyestowardsJane。
“Betterthansheeverusedtodo？——YouseehowmyfatherandMrs。Westondoatuponher。”
Buthisspiritsweresoonrisingagain，andwithlaughingeyes，aftermentioningtheexpectedreturnoftheCampbells，henamedthenameofDixon——Emmablushed，andforbadeitsbeingpronouncedinherhearing。
“Icanneverthinkofit。”shecried，“withoutextremeshame。”
“Theshame。”heanswered，“isallmine，oroughttobe。Butisitpossiblethatyouhadnosuspicion？——Imeanoflate。Early，I
know，youhadnone。”
“Ineverhadthesmallest，Iassureyou。”
“Thatappearsquitewonderful。Iwasonceverynear——andIwishIhad——
itwouldhavebeenbetter。ButthoughIwasalwaysdoingwrongthings，theywereverybadwrongthings，andsuchasdidmenoservice——
ItwouldhavebeenamuchbettertransgressionhadIbrokenthebondofsecrecyandtoldyoueverything。”
“Itisnotnowwortharegret。”saidEmma。
“Ihavesomehope。”resumedhe，“ofmyuncle’sbeingpersuadedtopayavisitatRandalls；hewantstobeintroducedtoher。
WhentheCampbellsarereturned，weshallmeettheminLondon，andcontinuethere，Itrust，tillwemaycarryhernorthward——Butnow，Iamatsuchadistancefromher——isnotithard，MissWoodhouse？——
Tillthismorning，wehavenotoncemetsincethedayofreconciliation。
Donotyoupityme？“
Emmaspokeherpitysoverykindly，thatwithasuddenaccessionofgaythought，hecried，“Ah！bythebye。”thensinkinghisvoice，andlookingdemureforthemoment——“IhopeMr。Knightleyiswell？“Hepaused——Shecolouredandlaughed——“Iknowyousawmyletter，andthinkyoumayremembermywishinyourfavour。Letmereturnyourcongratulations——
IassureyouthatIhaveheardthenewswiththewarmestinterestandsatisfaction——HeisamanwhomIcannotpresumetopraise。”
Emmawasdelighted，andonlywantedhimtogooninthesamestyle；
buthismindwasthenextmomentinhisownconcernsandwithhisownJane，andhisnextwordswere，“Didyoueverseesuchaskin？——suchsmoothness！suchdelicacy！——
andyetwithoutbeingactuallyfair——Onecannotcallherfair。
Itisamostuncommoncomplexion，withherdarkeye-lashesandhair——
amostdistinguishingcomplexion！Sopeculiarlytheladyinit——
Justcolourenoughforbeauty。”
“Ihavealwaysadmiredhercomplexion。”repliedEmma，archly；“butdonotIrememberthetimewhenyoufoundfaultwithherforbeingsopale？——
Whenwefirstbegantotalkofher——Haveyouquiteforgotten？“
“Oh！no——whatanimpudentdogIwas！——HowcouldIdare——“
Buthelaughedsoheartilyattherecollection，thatEmmacouldnothelpsaying，“Idosuspectthatinthemidstofyourperplexitiesatthattime，youhadverygreatamusementintrickingusall——Iamsureyouhad——
Iamsureitwasaconsolationtoyou。”
“Oh！no，no，no——howcanyoususpectmeofsuchathing？
Iwasthemostmiserablewretch！“
“Notquitesomiserableastobeinsensibletomirth。Iamsureitwasasourceofhighentertainmenttoyou，tofeelthatyouweretakingusallin——PerhapsIamthereadiertosuspect，because，totellyouthetruth，Ithinkitmighthavebeensomeamusementtomyselfinthesamesituation。Ithinkthereisalittlelikenessbetweenus。”
Hebowed。
“Ifnotinourdispositions。”shepresentlyadded，withalookoftruesensibility，“thereisalikenessinourdestiny；thedestinywhichbidsfairtoconnectuswithtwocharacterssomuchsuperiortoourown。”
“True，true。”heanswered，warmly。“No，nottrueonyourside。
Youcanhavenosuperior，butmosttrueonmine——Sheisacompleteangel。
Lookather。Isnotsheanangelineverygesture？Observetheturnofherthroat。Observehereyes，assheislookingupatmyfather——
Youwillbegladtohearinclininghishead，andwhisperingseriously
thatmyunclemeanstogiveherallmyaunt’sjewels。Theyaretobenewset。Iamresolvedtohavesomeinanornamentforthehead。
Willnotitbebeautifulinherdarkhair？“
“Verybeautiful，indeed。”repliedEmma；andshespokesokindly，thathegratefullyburstout，“HowdelightedIamtoseeyouagain！andtoseeyouinsuchexcellentlooks！——Iwouldnothavemissedthismeetingfortheworld。
IshouldcertainlyhavecalledatHartfield，hadyoufailedtocome。”
Theothershadbeentalkingofthechild，Mrs。Westongivinganaccountofalittlealarmshehadbeenunder，theeveningbefore，fromtheinfant’sappearingnotquitewell。Shebelievedshehadbeenfoolish，butithadalarmedher，andshehadbeenwithinhalfaminuteofsendingforMr。Perry。Perhapssheoughttobeashamed，butMr。Westonhadbeenalmostasuneasyasherself——Intenminutes，however，thechildhadbeenperfectlywellagain。Thiswasherhistory；andparticularlyinterestingitwastoMr。Woodhouse，whocommendedherverymuchforthinkingofsendingforPerry，andonlyregrettedthatshehadnotdoneit。“SheshouldalwayssendforPerry，ifthechildappearedintheslightestdegreedisordered，wereitonlyforamoment。Shecouldnotbetoosoonalarmed，norsendforPerrytoooften。Itwasapity，perhaps，thathehadnotcomelastnight；for，thoughthechildseemedwellnow，verywellconsidering，itwouldprobablyhavebeenbetterifPerryhadseenit。”
FrankChurchillcaughtthename。
“Perry！“saidhetoEmma，andtrying，ashespoke，tocatchMissFairfax’seye。“MyfriendMr。Perry！WhataretheysayingaboutMr。Perry？——Hashebeenherethismorning？——Andhowdoeshetravelnow？——Hashesetuphiscarriage？“
Emmasoonrecollected，andunderstoodhim；andwhileshejoinedinthelaugh，itwasevidentfromJane’scountenancethatshetoowasreallyhearinghim，thoughtryingtoseemdeaf。
“Suchanextraordinarydreamofmine！“hecried。“Icanneverthinkofitwithoutlaughing——Shehearsus，shehearsus，MissWoodhouse。
Iseeitinhercheek，hersmile，hervainattempttofrown。
Lookather。Donotyouseethat，atthisinstant，theverypassageofherownletter，whichsentmethereport，ispassingunderhereye——
thatthewholeblunderisspreadbeforeher——thatshecanattendtonothingelse，thoughpretendingtolistentotheothers？“
Janewasforcedtosmilecompletely，foramoment；andthesmilepartlyremainedassheturnedtowardshim，andsaidinaconscious，low，yetsteadyvoice，“Howyoucanbearsuchrecollections，isastonishingtome！——
Theywillsometimesobtrude——buthowyoucancourtthem！“
Hehadagreatdealtosayinreturn，andveryentertainingly；
butEmma’sfeelingswerechieflywithJane，intheargument；andonleavingRandalls，andfallingnaturallyintoacomparisonofthetwomen，shefelt，thatpleasedasshehadbeentoseeFrankChurchill，andreallyregardinghimasshedidwithfriendship，shehadneverbeenmoresensibleofMr。Knightley’shighsuperiorityofcharacter。
Thehappinessofthismosthappyday，receiveditscompletion，intheanimatedcontemplationofhisworthwhichthiscomparisonproduced。
Chapter19CHAPTERXIX
IfEmmahadstill，atintervals，ananxiousfeelingforHarriet，amomentarydoubtofitsbeingpossibleforhertobereallycuredofherattachmenttoMr。Knightley，andreallyabletoacceptanothermanfromunbiasedinclination，itwasnotlongthatshehadtosufferfromtherecurrenceofanysuchuncertainty。
AveryfewdaysbroughtthepartyfromLondon，andshehadnosooneranopportunityofbeingonehouralonewithHarriet，thanshebecameperfectlysatisfied——unaccountableasitwas！——
thatRobertMartinhadthoroughlysupplantedMr。Knightley，andwasnowformingallherviewsofhappiness。
Harrietwasalittledistressed——didlookalittlefoolishatfirst：
buthavingonceownedthatshehadbeenpresumptuousandsilly，andself-deceived，before，herpainandconfusionseemedtodieawaywiththewords，andleaveherwithoutacareforthepast，andwiththefullestexultationinthepresentandfuture；for，astoherfriend’sapprobation，Emmahadinstantlyremovedeveryfearofthatnature，bymeetingherwiththemostunqualifiedcongratulations——
HarrietwasmosthappytogiveeveryparticularoftheeveningatAstley’s，andthedinnerthenextday；shecoulddwellonitallwiththeutmostdelight。Butwhatdidsuchparticularsexplain？——
Thefactwas，asEmmacouldnowacknowledge，thatHarriethadalwayslikedRobertMartin；andthathiscontinuingtoloveherhadbeenirresistible——Beyondthis，itmusteverbeunintelligibletoEmma。
Theevent，however，wasmostjoyful；andeverydaywasgivingherfreshreasonforthinkingso——Harriet’sparentagebecameknown。
Sheprovedtobethedaughterofatradesman，richenoughtoaffordherthecomfortablemaintenancewhichhadeverbeenhers，anddecentenoughtohavealwayswishedforconcealment——SuchwasthebloodofgentilitywhichEmmahadformerlybeensoreadytovouchfor！——
Itwaslikelytobeasuntainted，perhaps，asthebloodofmanyagentleman：butwhataconnexionhadshebeenpreparingforMr。Knightley——orfortheChurchills——orevenforMr。Elton！——
Thestainofillegitimacy，unbleachedbynobilityorwealth，wouldhavebeenastainindeed。
Noobjectionwasraisedonthefather’sside；theyoungmanwastreatedliberally；itwasallasitshouldbe：andasEmmabecameacquaintedwithRobertMartin，whowasnowintroducedatHartfield，shefullyacknowledgedinhimalltheappearanceofsenseandworthwhichcouldbidfairestforherlittlefriend。ShehadnodoubtofHarriet’shappinesswithanygood-temperedman；butwithhim，andinthehomeheoffered，therewouldbethehopeofmore，ofsecurity，stability，andimprovement。Shewouldbeplacedinthemidstofthosewholovedher，andwhohadbettersensethanherself；
retiredenoughforsafety，andoccupiedenoughforcheerfulness。
Shewouldbeneverledintotemptation，norleftforittofindherout。
Shewouldberespectableandhappy；andEmmaadmittedhertobetheluckiestcreatureintheworld，tohavecreatedsosteadyandperseveringanaffectioninsuchaman；——or，ifnotquitetheluckiest，toyieldonlytoherself。
Harriet，necessarilydrawnawaybyherengagementswiththeMartins，waslessandlessatHartfield；whichwasnottoberegretted——
TheintimacybetweenherandEmmamustsink；theirfriendshipmustchangeintoacalmersortofgoodwill；and，fortunately，whatoughttobe，andmustbe，seemedalreadybeginning，andinthemostgradual，naturalmanner。
BeforetheendofSeptember，EmmaattendedHarriettochurch，andsawherhandbestowedonRobertMartinwithsocompleteasatisfaction，asnoremembrances，evenconnectedwithMr。Eltonashestoodbeforethem，couldimpair——Perhaps，indeed，atthattimeshescarcelysawMr。Elton，butastheclergymanwhoseblessingatthealtarmightnextfallonherself——RobertMartinandHarrietSmith，thelatestcoupleengagedofthethree，werethefirsttobemarried。
JaneFairfaxhadalreadyquittedHighbury，andwasrestoredtothecomfortsofherbelovedhomewiththeCampbells——TheMr。Churchillswerealsointown；andtheywereonlywaitingforNovember。
Theintermediatemonthwastheonefixedon，asfarastheydared，byEmmaandMr。Knightley——TheyhaddeterminedthattheirmarriageoughttobeconcludedwhileJohnandIsabellawerestillatHartfield，toallowthemthefortnight’sabsenceinatourtotheseaside，whichwastheplan——JohnandIsabella，andeveryotherfriend，wereagreedinapprovingit。ButMr。Woodhouse——howwasMr。Woodhousetobeinducedtoconsent？——he，whohadneveryetalludedtotheirmarriagebutasadistantevent。
Whenfirstsoundedonthesubject，hewassomiserable，thattheywerealmosthopeless——Asecondallusion，indeed，gavelesspain——
Hebegantothinkitwastobe，andthathecouldnotpreventit——
averypromisingstepofthemindonitswaytoresignation。
Still，however，hewasnothappy。Nay，heappearedsomuchotherwise，thathisdaughter’scouragefailed。Shecouldnotbeartoseehimsuffering，toknowhimfancyinghimselfneglected；andthoughherunderstandingalmostacquiescedintheassuranceofboththeMr。Knightleys，thatwhenoncetheeventwereover，hisdistresswouldbesoonovertoo，shehesitated——shecouldnotproceed。
Inthisstateofsuspensetheywerebefriended，notbyanysuddenilluminationofMr。Woodhouse’smind，oranywonderfulchangeofhisnervoussystem，butbytheoperationofthesamesysteminanotherway——
Mrs。Weston’spoultry-housewasrobbedonenightofallherturkeys——
evidentlybytheingenuityofman。Otherpoultry-yardsintheneighbourhoodalsosuffered——PilferingwashousebreakingtoMr。Woodhouse’sfears——Hewasveryuneasy；andbutforthesenseofhisson-in-law’sprotection，wouldhavebeenunderwretchedalarmeverynightofhislife。Thestrength，resolution，andpresenceofmindoftheMr。Knightleys，commandedhisfullestdependence。
Whileeitherofthemprotectedhimandhis，Hartfieldwassafe——
ButMr。JohnKnightleymustbeinLondonagainbytheendofthefirstweekinNovember。
Theresultofthisdistresswas，that，withamuchmorevoluntary，cheerfulconsentthanhisdaughterhadeverpresumedtohopeforatthemoment，shewasabletofixherwedding-day——andMr。Eltonwascalledon，withinamonthfromthemarriageofMr。andMrs。RobertMartin，tojointhehandsofMr。KnightleyandMissWoodhouse。
Theweddingwasverymuchlikeotherweddings，wherethepartieshavenotasteforfineryorparade；andMrs。Elton，fromtheparticularsdetailedbyherhusband，thoughtitallextremelyshabby，andveryinferiortoherown——“Verylittlewhitesatin，veryfewlaceveils；amostpitifulbusiness！——Selinawouldstarewhensheheardofit。”——But，inspiteofthesedeficiencies，thewishes，thehopes，theconfidence，thepredictionsofthesmallbandoftruefriendswhowitnessedtheceremony，werefullyansweredintheperfecthappinessoftheunion。
FINIS