FetchMissBates。Wearegrowingalittletoonice。Sheisastandinglessonofhowtobehappy。Butfetchthemboth。
Invitethemboth。”
“Bothsir！Cantheoldlady？“……
“Theoldlady！No，theyounglady，tobesure。Ishallthinkyouagreatblockhead，Frank，ifyoubringtheauntwithouttheniece。”
“Oh！Ibegyourpardon，sir。Ididnotimmediatelyrecollect。
Undoubtedlyifyouwishit，Iwillendeavourtopersuadethemboth。”
Andawayheran。
Longbeforehereappeared，attendingtheshort，neat，brisk-movingaunt，andherelegantniece，——Mrs。Weston，likeasweet-temperedwomanandagoodwife，hadexaminedthepassageagain，andfoundtheevilsofitmuchlessthanshehadsupposedbefore——
indeedverytrifling；andhereendedthedifficultiesofdecision。
Alltherest，inspeculationatleast，wasperfectlysmooth。
Alltheminorarrangementsoftableandchair，lightsandmusic，teaandsupper，madethemselves；orwereleftasmeretriflestobesettledatanytimebetweenMrs。WestonandMrs。Stokes——
Everybodyinvited，wascertainlytocome；FrankhadalreadywrittentoEnscombetoproposestayingafewdaysbeyondhisfortnight，whichcouldnotpossiblyberefused。Andadelightfuldanceitwastobe。
Mostcordially，whenMissBatesarrived，didsheagreethatitmust。
Asacounsellorshewasnotwanted；butasanapprover，amuchsafercharacter，shewastrulywelcome。Herapprobation，atoncegeneralandminute，warmandincessant，couldnotbutplease；
andforanotherhalf-hourtheywereallwalkingtoandfro，betweenthedifferentrooms，somesuggesting，someattending，andallinhappyenjoymentofthefuture。ThepartydidnotbreakupwithoutEmma’sbeingpositivelysecuredforthetwofirstdancesbytheherooftheevening，norwithoutheroverhearingMr。Westonwhispertohiswife，“Hehasaskedher，mydear。That’sright。
Iknewhewould！“
Chapter12CHAPTERXII
OnethingonlywaswantingtomaketheprospectoftheballcompletelysatisfactorytoEmma——itsbeingfixedforadaywithinthegrantedtermofFrankChurchill’sstayinSurry；for，inspiteofMr。Weston’sconfidence，shecouldnotthinkitsoveryimpossiblethattheChurchillsmightnotallowtheirnephewtoremainadaybeyondhisfortnight。Butthiswasnotjudgedfeasible。
Thepreparationsmusttaketheirtime，nothingcouldbeproperlyreadytillthethirdweekwereenteredon，andforafewdaystheymustbeplanning，proceedingandhopinginuncertainty——attherisk——
inheropinion，thegreatrisk，ofitsbeingallinvain。
Enscombehoweverwasgracious，graciousinfact，ifnotinword。
Hiswishofstayinglongerevidentlydidnotplease；butitwasnotopposed。Allwassafeandprosperous；andastheremovalofonesolicitudegenerallymakeswayforanother，Emma，beingnowcertainofherball，begantoadoptasthenextvexationMr。Knightley’sprovokingindifferenceaboutit。Eitherbecausehedidnotdancehimself，orbecausetheplanhadbeenformedwithouthisbeingconsulted，heseemedresolvedthatitshouldnotinteresthim，determinedagainstitsexcitinganypresentcuriosity，oraffordinghimanyfutureamusement。TohervoluntarycommunicationsEmmacouldgetnomoreapprovingreply，than，“Verywell。IftheWestonsthinkitworthwhiletobeatallthistroubleforafewhoursofnoisyentertainment，Ihavenothingtosayagainstit，butthattheyshallnotchusepleasuresforme——
Oh！yes，Imustbethere；Icouldnotrefuse；andIwillkeepasmuchawakeasIcan；butIwouldratherbeathome，lookingoverWilliamLarkins’sweek’saccount；muchrather，Iconfess——
Pleasureinseeingdancing！——notI，indeed——Ineverlookatit——
Idonotknowwhodoes——Finedancing，Ibelieve，likevirtue，mustbeitsownreward。Thosewhoarestandingbyareusuallythinkingofsomethingverydifferent。”
ThisEmmafeltwasaimedather；anditmadeherquiteangry。
ItwasnotincomplimenttoJaneFairfaxhoweverthathewassoindifferent，orsoindignant；hewasnotguidedbyherfeelingsinreprobatingtheball，forsheenjoyedthethoughtofittoanextraordinarydegree。Itmadeheranimated——openhearted——
shevoluntarilysaid；——
“Oh！MissWoodhouse，Ihopenothingmayhappentopreventtheball。
Whatadisappointmentitwouldbe！Idolookforwardtoit，I
own，withverygreatpleasure。”
ItwasnottoobligeJaneFairfaxthereforethathewouldhavepreferredthesocietyofWilliamLarkins。No！——shewasmoreandmoreconvincedthatMrs。Westonwasquitemistakeninthatsurmise。
Therewasagreatdealoffriendlyandofcompassionateattachmentonhisside——butnolove。
Alas！therewassoonnoleisureforquarrellingwithMr。Knightley。
Twodaysofjoyfulsecuritywereimmediatelyfollowedbytheover-throwofeverything。AletterarrivedfromMr。Churchilltourgehisnephew’sinstantreturn。Mrs。Churchillwasunwell——
fartoounwelltodowithouthim；shehadbeeninaverysufferingstatesosaidherhusbandwhenwritingtohernephewtwodaysbefore，thoughfromherusualunwillingnesstogivepain，andconstanthabitofneverthinkingofherself，shehadnotmentionedit；
butnowshewastooilltotrifle，andmustentreathimtosetoffforEnscombewithoutdelay。
ThesubstanceofthisletterwasforwardedtoEmma，inanotefromMrs。Weston，instantly。Astohisgoing，itwasinevitable。
Hemustbegonewithinafewhours，thoughwithoutfeelinganyrealalarmforhisaunt，tolessenhisrepugnance。Heknewherillnesses；
theyneveroccurredbutforherownconvenience。
Mrs。Westonadded，“thathecouldonlyallowhimselftimetohurrytoHighbury，afterbreakfast，andtakeleaveofthefewfriendstherewhomhecouldsupposetofeelanyinterestinhim；
andthathemightbeexpectedatHartfieldverysoon。”
ThiswretchednotewasthefinaleofEmma’sbreakfast。Whenonceithadbeenread，therewasnodoinganything，butlamentandexclaim。Thelossoftheball——thelossoftheyoungman——
andallthattheyoungmanmightbefeeling！——Itwastoowretched！——
Suchadelightfuleveningasitwouldhavebeen！——Everybodysohappy！
andsheandherpartnerthehappiest！——“Isaiditwouldbeso。”
wastheonlyconsolation。
Herfather’sfeelingswerequitedistinct。HethoughtprincipallyofMrs。Churchill’sillness，andwantedtoknowhowshewastreated；
andasfortheball，itwasshockingtohavedearEmmadisappointed；
buttheywouldallbesaferathome。
Emmawasreadyforhervisitorsometimebeforeheappeared；
butifthisreflectedatalluponhisimpatience，hissorrowfullookandtotalwantofspiritswhenhedidcomemightredeemhim。
Hefeltthegoingawayalmosttoomuchtospeakofit。Hisdejectionwasmostevident。Hesatreallylostinthoughtforthefirstfewminutes；andwhenrousinghimself，itwasonlytosay，“Ofallhorridthings，leave-takingistheworst。”
“Butyouwillcomeagain。”saidEmma。“ThiswillnotbeyouronlyvisittoRandalls。”
“Ah！——shakinghishead——theuncertaintyofwhenImaybeabletoreturn！——Ishalltryforitwithazeal！——Itwillbetheobjectofallmythoughtsandcares！——andifmyuncleandauntgototownthisspring——butIamafraid——theydidnotstirlastspring——
Iamafraiditisacustomgoneforever。”
“Ourpoorballmustbequitegivenup。”
“Ah！thatball！——whydidwewaitforanything？——whynotseizethepleasureatonce？——Howoftenishappinessdestroyedbypreparation，foolishpreparation！——Youtoldusitwouldbeso——Oh！MissWoodhouse，whyareyoualwayssoright？“
“Indeed，Iamverysorrytoberightinthisinstance。Iwouldmuchratherhavebeenmerrythanwise。”
“IfIcancomeagain，wearestilltohaveourball。Myfatherdependsonit。Donotforgetyourengagement。”
Emmalookedgraciously。
“Suchafortnightasithasbeen！“hecontinued；“everydaymorepreciousandmoredelightfulthanthedaybefore！——everydaymakingmelessfittobearanyotherplace。Happythose，whocanremainatHighbury！“
“Asyoudoussuchamplejusticenow。”saidEmma，laughing，“Iwillventuretoask，whetheryoudidnotcomealittledoubtfullyatfirst？
Donotwerathersurpassyourexpectations？Iamsurewedo。
Iamsureyoudidnotmuchexpecttolikeus。Youwouldnothavebeensolongincoming，ifyouhadhadapleasantideaofHighbury。”
Helaughedratherconsciously；andthoughdenyingthesentiment，Emmawasconvincedthatithadbeenso。
“Andyoumustbeoffthisverymorning？“
“Yes；myfatheristojoinmehere：weshallwalkbacktogether，andImustbeoffimmediately。Iamalmostafraidthateverymomentwillbringhim。”
“NotfiveminutestospareevenforyourfriendsMissFairfaxandMissBates？Howunlucky！MissBates’spowerful，argumentativemindmighthavestrengthenedyours。”
“Yes——Ihavecalledthere；passingthedoor，Ithoughtitbetter。
Itwasarightthingtodo。Iwentinforthreeminutes，andwasdetainedbyMissBates’sbeingabsent。Shewasout；andIfeltitimpossiblenottowaittillshecamein。Sheisawomanthatonemay，thatonemustlaughat；butthatonewouldnotwishtoslight。
Itwasbettertopaymyvisit，then“——
Hehesitated，gotup，walkedtoawindow。
“Inshort。”saidhe，“perhaps，MissWoodhouse——Ithinkyoucanhardlybequitewithoutsuspicion“——
Helookedather，asifwantingtoreadherthoughts。Shehardlyknewwhattosay。Itseemedliketheforerunnerofsomethingabsolutelyserious，whichshedidnotwish。Forcingherselftospeak，therefore，inthehopeofputtingitby，shecalmlysaid，“Youarequiteintheright；itwasmostnaturaltopayyourvisit，then“——
Hewassilent。Shebelievedhewaslookingather；probablyreflectingonwhatshehadsaid，andtryingtounderstandthemanner。
Sheheardhimsigh。Itwasnaturalforhimtofeelthathehadcausetosigh。Hecouldnotbelievehertobeencouraginghim。
Afewawkwardmomentspassed，andhesatdownagain；andinamoredeterminedmannersaid，“ItwassomethingtofeelthatalltherestofmytimemightbegiventoHartfield。MyregardforHartfieldismostwarm“——
Hestoptagain，roseagain，andseemedquiteembarrassed——
HewasmoreinlovewithherthanEmmahadsupposed；andwhocansayhowitmighthaveended，ifhisfatherhadnotmadehisappearance？
Mr。Woodhousesoonfollowed；andthenecessityofexertionmadehimcomposed。
Averyfewminutesmore，however，completedthepresenttrial。
Mr。Weston，alwaysalertwhenbusinesswastobedone，andasincapableofprocrastinatinganyevilthatwasinevitable，asofforeseeinganythatwasdoubtful，said，“Itwastimetogo；“
andtheyoungman，thoughhemightanddidsigh，couldnotbutagree，totakeleave。
“Ishallhearaboutyouall。”saidhe；thatismychiefconsolation。
Ishallhearofeverythingthatisgoingonamongyou。IhaveengagedMrs。Westontocorrespondwithme。Shehasbeensokindastopromiseit。Oh！theblessingofafemalecorrespondent，whenoneisreallyinterestedintheabsent！——shewilltellmeeverything。
InherlettersIshallbeatdearHighburyagain。”
Averyfriendlyshakeofthehand，averyearnest“Good-bye。”
closedthespeech，andthedoorhadsoonshutoutFrankChurchill。
Shorthadbeenthenotice——shorttheirmeeting；hewasgone；andEmmafeltsosorrytopart，andforesawsogreatalosstotheirlittlesocietyfromhisabsenceastobegintobeafraidofbeingtoosorry，andfeelingittoomuch。
Itwasasadchange。Theyhadbeenmeetingalmosteverydaysincehisarrival。CertainlyhisbeingatRandallshadgivengreatspirittothelasttwoweeks——indescribablespirit；theidea，theexpectationofseeinghimwhicheverymorninghadbrought，theassuranceofhisattentions，hisliveliness，hismanners！
Ithadbeenaveryhappyfortnight，andforlornmustbethesinkingfromitintothecommoncourseofHartfielddays。Tocompleteeveryotherrecommendation，hehadalmosttoldherthathelovedher。
Whatstrength，orwhatconstancyofaffectionhemightbesubjectto，wasanotherpoint；butatpresentshecouldnotdoubthishavingadecidedlywarmadmiration，aconsciouspreferenceofherself；
andthispersuasion，joinedtoalltherest，madeherthinkthatshemustbealittleinlovewithhim，inspiteofeverypreviousdeterminationagainstit。
“Icertainlymust。”saidshe。“Thissensationoflistlessness，weariness，stupidity，thisdisinclinationtositdownandemploymyself，thisfeelingofeverything’sbeingdullandinsipidaboutthehouse！——
Imustbeinlove；IshouldbetheoddestcreatureintheworldifI
werenot——forafewweeksatleast。Well！eviltosomeisalwaysgoodtoothers。Ishallhavemanyfellow-mournersfortheball，ifnotforFrankChurchill；butMr。Knightleywillbehappy。
HemayspendtheeveningwithhisdearWilliamLarkinsnowifhelikes。”
Mr。Knightley，however，shewednotriumphanthappiness。Hecouldnotsaythathewassorryonhisownaccount；hisverycheerfullookwouldhavecontradictedhimifhehad；buthesaid，andverysteadily，thathewassorryforthedisappointmentoftheothers，andwithconsiderablekindnessadded，“You，Emma，whohavesofewopportunitiesofdancing，youarereallyoutofluck；youareverymuchoutofluck！“
ItwassomedaysbeforeshesawJaneFairfax，tojudgeofherhonestregretinthiswoefulchange；butwhentheydidmeet，hercomposurewasodious。Shehadbeenparticularlyunwell，however，sufferingfromheadachetoadegree，whichmadeherauntdeclare，thathadtheballtakenplace，shedidnotthinkJanecouldhaveattendedit；anditwascharitytoimputesomeofherunbecomingindifferencetothelanguorofill-health。
Chapter13CHAPTERXIII
Emmacontinuedtoentertainnodoubtofherbeinginlove。Herideasonlyvariedastothehowmuch。Atfirst，shethoughtitwasagooddeal；
andafterwards，butlittle。ShehadgreatpleasureinhearingFrankChurchilltalkedof；and，forhissake，greaterpleasurethaneverinseeingMr。andMrs。Weston；shewasveryoftenthinkingofhim，andquiteimpatientforaletter，thatshemightknowhowhewas，howwerehisspirits，howwashisaunt，andwhatwasthechanceofhiscomingtoRandallsagainthisspring。But，ontheotherhand，shecouldnotadmitherselftobeunhappy，nor，afterthefirstmorning，tobelessdisposedforemploymentthanusual；
shewasstillbusyandcheerful；and，pleasingashewas，shecouldyetimaginehimtohavefaults；andfarther，thoughthinkingofhimsomuch，and，asshesatdrawingorworking，formingathousandamusingschemesfortheprogressandcloseoftheirattachment，fancyinginterestingdialogues，andinventingelegantletters；
theconclusionofeveryimaginarydeclarationonhissidewasthatsherefusedhim。Theiraffectionwasalwaystosubsideintofriendship。
Everythingtenderandcharmingwastomarktheirparting；
butstilltheyweretopart。Whenshebecamesensibleofthis，itstruckherthatshecouldnotbeverymuchinlove；forinspiteofherpreviousandfixeddeterminationnevertoquitherfather，nevertomarry，astrongattachmentcertainlymustproducemoreofastrugglethanshecouldforeseeinherownfeelings。
“Idonotfindmyselfmakinganyuseofthewordsacrifice。”saidshe——
“Innotoneofallmycleverreplies，mydelicatenegatives，isthereanyallusiontomakingasacrifice。Idosuspectthatheisnotreallynecessarytomyhappiness。Somuchthebetter。
IcertainlywillnotpersuademyselftofeelmorethanIdo。I
amquiteenoughinlove。Ishouldbesorrytobemore。”
Uponthewhole，shewasequallycontentedwithherviewofhisfeelings。
“Heisundoubtedlyverymuchinlove——everythingdenotesit——verymuchinloveindeed！——andwhenhecomesagain，ifhisaffectioncontinue，Imustbeonmyguardnottoencourageit——Itwouldbemostinexcusabletodootherwise，asmyownmindisquitemadeup。
NotthatIimaginehecanthinkIhavebeenencouraginghimhitherto。
No，ifhehadbelievedmeatalltosharehisfeelings，hewouldnothavebeensowretched。Couldhehavethoughthimselfencouraged，hislooksandlanguageatpartingwouldhavebeendifferent——
Still，however，Imustbeonmyguard。Thisisinthesuppositionofhisattachmentcontinuingwhatitnowis；butIdonotknowthatI
expectitwill；Idonotlookuponhimtobequitethesortofman——
Idonotaltogetherbuilduponhissteadinessorconstancy——
Hisfeelingsarewarm，butIcanimaginethemratherchangeable——
Everyconsiderationofthesubject，inshort，makesmethankfulthatmyhappinessisnotmoredeeplyinvolved——Ishalldoverywellagainafteralittlewhile——andthen，itwillbeagoodthingover；
fortheysayeverybodyisinloveonceintheirlives，andIshallhavebeenletoffeasily。”
WhenhislettertoMrs。Westonarrived，Emmahadtheperusalofit；
andshereaditwithadegreeofpleasureandadmirationwhichmadeheratfirstshakeherheadoverherownsensations，andthinkshehadundervaluedtheirstrength。Itwasalong，well-writtenletter，givingtheparticularsofhisjourneyandofhisfeelings，expressingalltheaffection，gratitude，andrespectwhichwasnaturalandhonourable，anddescribingeverythingexteriorandlocalthatcouldbesupposedattractive，withspiritandprecision。
Nosuspiciousflourishesnowofapologyorconcern；itwasthelanguageofrealfeelingtowardsMrs。Weston；andthetransitionfromHighburytoEnscombe，thecontrastbetweentheplacesinsomeofthefirstblessingsofsociallifewasjustenoughtouchedontoshewhowkeenlyitwasfelt，andhowmuchmoremighthavebeensaidbutfortherestraintsofpropriety——Thecharmofherownnamewasnotwanting。MissWoodhouseappearedmorethanonce，andneverwithoutasomethingofpleasingconnexion，eitheracomplimenttohertaste，oraremembranceofwhatshehadsaid；
andintheverylasttimeofitsmeetinghereye，unadornedasitwasbyanysuchbroadwreathofgallantry，sheyetcoulddiscerntheeffectofherinfluenceandacknowledgethegreatestcomplimentperhapsofallconveyed。Compressedintotheverylowestvacantcornerwerethesewords——“IhadnotasparemomentonTuesday，asyouknow，forMissWoodhouse’sbeautifullittlefriend。Praymakemyexcusesandadieustoher。”This，Emmacouldnotdoubt，wasallforherself。Harrietwasrememberedonlyfrombeingherfriend。
HisinformationandprospectsastoEnscombewereneitherworsenorbetterthanhadbeenanticipated；Mrs。Churchillwasrecovering，andhedarednotyet，eveninhisownimagination，fixatimeforcomingtoRandallsagain。
Gratifying，however，andstimulativeaswastheletterinthematerialpart，itssentiments，sheyetfound，whenitwasfoldedupandreturnedtoMrs。Weston，thatithadnotaddedanylastingwarmth，thatshecouldstilldowithoutthewriter，andthathemustlearntodowithouther。Herintentionswereunchanged。Herresolutionofrefusalonlygrewmoreinterestingbytheadditionofaschemeforhissubsequentconsolationandhappiness。HisrecollectionofHarriet，andthewordswhichclothedit，the“beautifullittlefriend。”
suggestedtohertheideaofHarriet’ssucceedingherinhisaffections。
Wasitimpossible？——No——Harrietundoubtedlywasgreatlyhisinferiorinunderstanding；buthehadbeenverymuchstruckwiththelovelinessofherfaceandthewarmsimplicityofhermanner；
andalltheprobabilitiesofcircumstanceandconnexionwereinherfavour——ForHarriet，itwouldbeadvantageousanddelightfulindeed。
“Imustnotdwelluponit。”saidshe——“Imustnotthinkofit。
Iknowthedangerofindulgingsuchspeculations。Butstrangerthingshavehappened；andwhenweceasetocareforeachotheraswedonow，itwillbethemeansofconfirmingusinthatsortoftruedisinterestedfriendshipwhichIcanalreadylookforwardtowithpleasure。”
ItwaswelltohaveacomfortinstoreonHarriet’sbehalf，thoughitmightbewisetoletthefancytouchitseldom；forevilinthatquarterwasathand。AsFrankChurchill’sarrivalhadsucceededMr。Elton’sengagementintheconversationofHighbury，asthelatestinteresthadentirelybornedownthefirst，sonowuponFrankChurchill’sdisappearance，Mr。Elton’sconcernswereassumingthemostirresistibleform——Hiswedding-daywasnamed。
Hewouldsoonbeamongthemagain；Mr。Eltonandhisbride。
TherewashardlytimetotalkoverthefirstletterfromEnscombebefore“Mr。Eltonandhisbride“wasineverybody’smouth，andFrankChurchillwasforgotten。Emmagrewsickatthesound。
ShehadhadthreeweeksofhappyexemptionfromMr。Elton；
andHarriet’smind，shehadbeenwillingtohope，hadbeenlatelygainingstrength。WithMr。Weston’sballinviewatleast，therehadbeenagreatdealofinsensibilitytootherthings；
butitwasnowtooevidentthatshehadnotattainedsuchastateofcomposureascouldstandagainsttheactualapproach——newcarriage，bell-ringing，andall。
PoorHarrietwasinaflutterofspiritswhichrequiredallthereasoningsandsoothingsandattentionsofeverykindthatEmmacouldgive。Emmafeltthatshecouldnotdotoomuchforher，thatHarriethadarighttoallheringenuityandallherpatience；
butitwasheavyworktobeforeverconvincingwithoutproducinganyeffect，foreveragreedto，withoutbeingabletomaketheiropinionsthesame。Harrietlistenedsubmissively，andsaid“itwasverytrue——
itwasjustasMissWoodhousedescribed——itwasnotworthwhiletothinkaboutthem——andshewouldnotthinkaboutthemanylonger“
butnochangeofsubjectcouldavail，andthenexthalf-hoursawherasanxiousandrestlessabouttheEltonsasbefore。
AtlastEmmaattackedheronanotherground。
“YourallowingyourselftobesooccupiedandsounhappyaboutMr。Elton’smarrying，Harriet，isthestrongestreproachyoucanmakeme。YoucouldnotgivemeagreaterreproofforthemistakeI
fellinto。Itwasallmydoing，Iknow。Ihavenotforgottenit，Iassureyou——Deceivedmyself，Ididverymiserablydeceiveyou——
anditwillbeapainfulreflectiontomeforever。Donotimaginemeindangerofforgettingit。”
Harrietfeltthistoomuchtouttermorethanafewwordsofeagerexclamation。Emmacontinued，“Ihavenotsaid，exertyourselfHarrietformysake；thinkless，talklessofMr。Eltonformysake；becauseforyourownsakerather，Iwouldwishittobedone，forthesakeofwhatismoreimportantthanmycomfort，ahabitofself-commandinyou，aconsiderationofwhatisyourduty，anattentiontopropriety，anendeavourtoavoidthesuspicionsofothers，tosaveyourhealthandcredit，andrestoreyourtranquillity。ThesearethemotiveswhichI
havebeenpressingonyou。Theyareveryimportant——andsorryIamthatyoucannotfeelthemsufficientlytoactuponthem。
Mybeingsavedfrompainisaverysecondaryconsideration。I
wantyoutosaveyourselffromgreaterpain。PerhapsImaysometimeshavefeltthatHarrietwouldnotforgetwhatwasdue——orratherwhatwouldbekindbyme。”
Thisappealtoheraffectionsdidmorethanalltherest。
TheideaofwantinggratitudeandconsiderationforMissWoodhouse，whomshereallylovedextremely，madeherwretchedforawhile，andwhentheviolenceofgriefwascomfortedaway，stillremainedpowerfulenoughtoprompttowhatwasrightandsupportherinitverytolerably。
“You，whohavebeenthebestfriendIeverhadinmylife——
Wantgratitudetoyou！——Nobodyisequaltoyou！——IcarefornobodyasIdoforyou！——Oh！MissWoodhouse，howungratefulIhavebeen！“
Suchexpressions，assistedastheywerebyeverythingthatlookandmannercoulddo，madeEmmafeelthatshehadneverlovedHarrietsowell，norvaluedheraffectionsohighlybefore。
“Thereisnocharmequaltotendernessofheart。”saidsheafterwardstoherself。“Thereisnothingtobecomparedtoit。
Warmthandtendernessofheart，withanaffectionate，openmanner，willbeatalltheclearnessofheadintheworld，forattraction，Iamsureitwill。Itistendernessofheartwhichmakesmydearfathersogenerallybeloved——whichgivesIsabellaallherpopularity——
Ihaveitnot——butIknowhowtoprizeandrespectit——Harrietismysuperiorinallthecharmandallthefelicityitgives。
DearHarriet！——Iwouldnotchangeyoufortheclearest-headed，longest-sighted，best-judgingfemalebreathing。Oh！thecoldnessofaJaneFairfax！——Harrietisworthahundredsuch——Andforawife——
asensibleman’swife——itisinvaluable。Imentionnonames；
buthappythemanwhochangesEmmaforHarriet！“
Chapter14CHAPTERXIV
Mrs。Eltonwasfirstseenatchurch：butthoughdevotionmightbeinterrupted，curiositycouldnotbesatisfiedbyabrideinapew，anditmustbeleftforthevisitsinformwhichwerethentobepaid，tosettlewhethershewereveryprettyindeed，oronlyratherpretty，ornotprettyatall。
Emmahadfeelings，lessofcuriositythanofprideorpropriety，tomakeherresolveonnotbeingthelasttopayherrespects；
andshemadeapointofHarriet’sgoingwithher，thattheworstofthebusinessmightbegonethroughassoonaspossible。
Shecouldnotenterthehouseagain，couldnotbeinthesameroomtowhichshehadwithsuchvainartificeretreatedthreemonthsago，tolaceupherboot，withoutrecollecting。Athousandvexatiousthoughtswouldrecur。Compliments，charades，andhorribleblunders；
anditwasnottobesupposedthatpoorHarrietshouldnotberecollectingtoo；butshebehavedverywell，andwasonlyratherpaleandsilent。Thevisitwasofcourseshort；andtherewassomuchembarrassmentandoccupationofmindtoshortenit，thatEmmawouldnotallowherselfentirelytoformanopinionofthelady，andonnoaccounttogiveone，beyondthenothing-meaningtermsofbeing“elegantlydressed，andverypleasing。”
Shedidnotreallylikeher。Shewouldnotbeinahurrytofindfault，butshesuspectedthattherewasnoelegance；——ease，butnotelegance——
Shewasalmostsurethatforayoungwoman，astranger，abride，therewastoomuchease。Herpersonwasrathergood；herfacenotunpretty；butneitherfeature，norair，norvoice，normanner，wereelegant。Emmathoughtatleastitwouldturnoutso。
AsforMr。Elton，hismannersdidnotappear——butno，shewouldnotpermitahastyorawittywordfromherselfabouthismanners。
Itwasanawkwardceremonyatanytimetobereceivingweddingvisits，andamanhadneedbeallgracetoacquithimselfwellthroughit。
Thewomanwasbetteroff；shemighthavetheassistanceoffineclothes，andtheprivilegeofbashfulness，butthemanhadonlyhisowngoodsensetodependon；andwhensheconsideredhowpeculiarlyunluckypoorMr。Eltonwasinbeinginthesameroomatoncewiththewomanhehadjustmarried，thewomanhehadwantedtomarry，andthewomanwhomhehadbeenexpectedtomarry，shemustallowhimtohavetherighttolookaslittlewise，andtobeasmuchaffectedly，andaslittlereallyeasyascouldbe。
“Well，MissWoodhouse。”saidHarriet，whentheyhadquittedthehouse，andafterwaitinginvainforherfriendtobegin；
“Well，MissWoodhouse，withagentlesigh，whatdoyouthinkofher？——
Isnotsheverycharming？“
TherewasalittlehesitationinEmma’sanswer。
“Oh！yes——very——averypleasingyoungwoman。”
“Ithinkherbeautiful，quitebeautiful。”
“Verynicelydressed，indeed；aremarkablyelegantgown。”
“Iamnotatallsurprizedthatheshouldhavefalleninlove。”
“Oh！no——thereisnothingtosurprizeoneatall——Aprettyfortune；
andshecameinhisway。”
“Idaresay。”returnedHarriet，sighingagain，“Idaresayshewasverymuchattachedtohim。”
“Perhapsshemight；butitisnoteveryman’sfatetomarrythewomanwholoveshimbest。MissHawkinsperhapswantedahome，andthoughtthisthebestoffershewaslikelytohave。”
“Yes。”saidHarrietearnestly，“andwellshemight，nobodycouldeverhaveabetter。Well，Iwishthemhappywithallmyheart。
Andnow，MissWoodhouse，IdonotthinkIshallmindseeingthemagain。
Heisjustassuperiorasever；——butbeingmarried，youknow，itisquiteadifferentthing。No，indeed，MissWoodhouse，youneednotbeafraid；Icansitandadmirehimnowwithoutanygreatmisery。
Toknowthathehasnotthrownhimselfaway，issuchacomfort！——
Shedoesseemacharmingyoungwoman，justwhathedeserves。
Happycreature！Hecalledher`Augusta。’Howdelightful！“
Whenthevisitwasreturned，Emmamadeuphermind。Shecouldthenseemoreandjudgebetter。FromHarriet’shappeningnottobeatHartfield，andherfather’sbeingpresenttoengageMr。Elton，shehadaquarterofanhourofthelady’sconversationtoherself，andcouldcomposedlyattendtoher；andthequarterofanhourquiteconvincedherthatMrs。Eltonwasavainwoman，extremelywellsatisfiedwithherself，andthinkingmuchofherownimportance；
thatshemeanttoshineandbeverysuperior，butwithmannerswhichhadbeenformedinabadschool，pertandfamiliar；thatallhernotionsweredrawnfromonesetofpeople，andonestyleofliving；
thatifnotfoolishshewasignorant，andthathersocietywouldcertainlydoMr。Eltonnogood。
Harrietwouldhavebeenabettermatch。Ifnotwiseorrefinedherself，shewouldhaveconnectedhimwiththosewhowere；butMissHawkins，itmightbefairlysupposedfromhereasyconceit，hadbeenthebestofherownset。Therichbrother-in-lawnearBristolwastheprideofthealliance，andhisplaceandhiscarriagesweretheprideofhim。
TheveryfirstsubjectafterbeingseatedwasMapleGrove，“MybrotherMr。Suckling’sseat；“——acomparisonofHartfieldtoMapleGrove。
ThegroundsofHartfieldweresmall，butneatandpretty；andthehousewasmodernandwell-built。Mrs。Eltonseemedmostfavourablyimpressedbythesizeoftheroom，theentrance，andallthatshecouldseeorimagine。“VerylikeMapleGroveindeed！——Shewasquitestruckbythelikeness！——Thatroomwastheveryshapeandsizeofthemorning-roomatMapleGrove；hersister’sfavouriteroom。”——
Mr。Eltonwasappealedto——“Wasnotitastonishinglylike？——
ShecouldreallyalmostfancyherselfatMapleGrove。”
“Andthestaircase——Youknow，asIcamein，Iobservedhowverylikethestaircasewas；placedexactlyinthesamepartofthehouse。
Ireallycouldnothelpexclaiming！Iassureyou，MissWoodhouse，itisverydelightfultome，toberemindedofaplaceIamsoextremelypartialtoasMapleGrove。Ihavespentsomanyhappymonthsthere！withalittlesighofsentiment。Acharmingplace，undoubtedly。Everybodywhoseesitisstruckbyitsbeauty；
buttome，ithasbeenquiteahome。Wheneveryouaretransplanted，likeme，MissWoodhouse，youwillunderstandhowverydelightfulitistomeetwithanythingatalllikewhatonehasleftbehind。
Ialwayssaythisisquiteoneoftheevilsofmatrimony。”
Emmamadeasslightareplyasshecould；butitwasfullysufficientforMrs。Elton，whoonlywantedtobetalkingherself。
“SoextremelylikeMapleGrove！Anditisnotmerelythehouse——
thegrounds，Iassureyou，asfarasIcouldobserve，arestrikinglylike。ThelaurelsatMapleGroveareinthesameprofusionashere，andstandverymuchinthesameway——justacrossthelawn；
andIhadaglimpseofafinelargetree，withabenchroundit，whichputmesoexactlyinmind！Mybrotherandsisterwillbeenchantedwiththisplace。Peoplewhohaveextensivegroundsthemselvesarealwayspleasedwithanythinginthesamestyle。”
Emmadoubtedthetruthofthissentiment。Shehadagreatideathatpeoplewhohadextensivegroundsthemselvescaredverylittlefortheextensivegroundsofanybodyelse；butitwasnotworthwhiletoattackanerrorsodouble-dyed，andthereforeonlysaidinreply，“Whenyouhaveseenmoreofthiscountry，IamafraidyouwillthinkyouhaveoverratedHartfield。Surryisfullofbeauties。”
“Oh！yes，Iamquiteawareofthat。ItisthegardenofEngland，youknow。SurryisthegardenofEngland。”
“Yes；butwemustnotrestourclaimsonthatdistinction。
Manycounties，Ibelieve，arecalledthegardenofEngland，aswellasSurry。”
“No，Ifancynot。”repliedMrs。Elton，withamostsatisfiedsmile。”
IneverheardanycountybutSurrycalledso。”
Emmawassilenced。
“Mybrotherandsisterhavepromisedusavisitinthespring，orsummeratfarthest。”continuedMrs。Elton；“andthatwillbeourtimeforexploring。Whiletheyarewithus，weshallexploreagreatdeal，Idaresay。Theywillhavetheirbarouche-landau，ofcourse，whichholdsfourperfectly；andtherefore，withoutsayinganythingofourcarriage，weshouldbeabletoexplorethedifferentbeautiesextremelywell。Theywouldhardlycomeintheirchaise，Ithink，atthatseasonoftheyear。Indeed，whenthetimedrawson，Ishalldecidedlyrecommendtheirbringingthebarouche-landau；
itwillbesoverymuchpreferable。Whenpeoplecomeintoabeautifulcountryofthissort，youknow，MissWoodhouse，onenaturallywishesthemtoseeasmuchaspossible；andMr。Sucklingisextremelyfondofexploring。WeexploredtoKing’s-Westontwicelastsummer，inthatway，mostdelightfully，justaftertheirfirsthavingthebarouche-landau。Youhavemanypartiesofthatkindhere，Isuppose，MissWoodhouse，everysummer？“
“No；notimmediatelyhere。Weareratheroutofdistanceoftheverystrikingbeautieswhichattractthesortofpartiesyouspeakof；
andweareaveryquietsetofpeople，Ibelieve；moredisposedtostayathomethanengageinschemesofpleasure。”
“Ah！thereisnothinglikestayingathomeforrealcomfort。
NobodycanbemoredevotedtohomethanIam。IwasquiteaproverbforitatMapleGrove。ManyatimehasSelinasaid，whenshehasbeengoingtoBristol，`Ireallycannotgetthisgirltomovefromthehouse。Iabsolutelymustgoinbymyself，thoughI
hatebeingstuckupinthebarouche-landauwithoutacompanion；
butAugusta，Ibelieve，withherowngood-will，wouldneverstirbeyondtheparkpaling。’Manyatimehasshesaidso；andyetI
amnoadvocateforentireseclusion。Ithink，onthecontrary，whenpeopleshutthemselvesupentirelyfromsociety，itisaverybadthing；andthatitismuchmoreadvisabletomixintheworldinaproperdegree，withoutlivinginiteithertoomuchortoolittle。
Iperfectlyunderstandyoursituation，however，MissWoodhouse——
lookingtowardsMr。Woodhouse，Yourfather’sstateofhealthmustbeagreatdrawback。WhydoesnothetryBath？——Indeedheshould。
LetmerecommendBathtoyou。IassureyouIhavenodoubtofitsdoingMr。Woodhousegood。”
“Myfathertrieditmorethanonce，formerly；butwithoutreceivinganybenefit；andMr。Perry，whosename，Idaresay，isnotunknowntoyou，doesnotconceiveitwouldbeatallmorelikelytobeusefulnow。”
“Ah！that’sagreatpity；forIassureyou，MissWoodhouse，wherethewatersdoagree，itisquitewonderfultherelieftheygive。InmyBathlife，Ihaveseensuchinstancesofit！
Anditissocheerfulaplace，thatitcouldnotfailofbeingofusetoMr。Woodhouse’sspirits，which，Iunderstand，aresometimesmuchdepressed。Andastoitsrecommendationstoyou，IfancyI
neednottakemuchpainstodwellonthem。TheadvantagesofBathtotheyoungareprettygenerallyunderstood。Itwouldbeacharmingintroductionforyou，whohavelivedsosecludedalife；andIcouldimmediatelysecureyousomeofthebestsocietyintheplace。
Alinefrommewouldbringyoualittlehostofacquaintance；andmyparticularfriend，Mrs。Partridge，theladyIhavealwaysresidedwithwheninBath，wouldbemosthappytoshewyouanyattentions，andwouldbetheverypersonforyoutogointopublicwith。”
ItwasasmuchasEmmacouldbear，withoutbeingimpolite。
TheideaofherbeingindebtedtoMrs。Eltonforwhatwascalledanintroduction——ofhergoingintopublicundertheauspicesofafriendofMrs。Elton’s——probablysomevulgar，dashingwidow，who，withthehelpofaboarder，justmadeashifttolive！——
ThedignityofMissWoodhouse，ofHartfield，wassunkindeed！
Sherestrainedherself，however，fromanyofthereproofsshecouldhavegiven，andonlythankedMrs。Eltoncoolly；“buttheirgoingtoBathwasquiteoutofthequestion；andshewasnotperfectlyconvincedthattheplacemightsuitherbetterthanherfather。”
Andthen，topreventfartheroutrageandindignation，changedthesubjectdirectly。
“Idonotaskwhetheryouaremusical，Mrs。Elton。Upontheseoccasions，alady’scharactergenerallyprecedesher；andHighburyhaslongknownthatyouareasuperiorperformer。”
“Oh！no，indeed；Imustprotestagainstanysuchidea。
Asuperiorperformer！——veryfarfromit，Iassureyou。
Considerfromhowpartialaquarteryourinformationcame。
Iamdoatinglyfondofmusic——passionatelyfond；——andmyfriendssayIamnotentirelydevoidoftaste；butastoanythingelse，uponmyhonourmyperformanceismediocretothelastdegree。
You，MissWoodhouse，Iwellknow，playdelightfully。Iassureyouithasbeenthegreatestsatisfaction，comfort，anddelighttome，tohearwhatamusicalsocietyIamgotinto。Iabsolutelycannotdowithoutmusic。Itisanecessaryoflifetome；andhavingalwaysbeenusedtoaverymusicalsociety，bothatMapleGroveandinBath，itwouldhavebeenamostserioussacrifice。IhonestlysaidasmuchtoMr。E。whenhewasspeakingofmyfuturehome，andexpressinghisfearslesttheretirementofitshouldbedisagreeable；
andtheinferiorityofthehousetoo——knowingwhatIhadbeenaccustomedto——ofcoursehewasnotwhollywithoutapprehension。
Whenhewasspeakingofitinthatway，IhonestlysaidthattheworldIcouldgiveup——parties，balls，plays——forIhadnofearofretirement。Blessedwithsomanyresourceswithinmyself，theworldwasnotnecessarytome。Icoulddoverywellwithoutit。
Tothosewhohadnoresourcesitwasadifferentthing；butmyresourcesmademequiteindependent。Andastosmaller-sizedroomsthanIhadbeenusedto，Ireallycouldnotgiveitathought。
IhopedIwasperfectlyequaltoanysacrificeofthatdescription。
CertainlyIhadbeenaccustomedtoeveryluxuryatMapleGrove；butI
didassurehimthattwocarriageswerenotnecessarytomyhappiness，norwerespaciousapartments。`But，’saidI，`tobequitehonest，IdonotthinkIcanlivewithoutsomethingofamusicalsociety。
Iconditionfornothingelse；butwithoutmusic，lifewouldbeablanktome。’“
“Wecannotsuppose。”saidEmma，smiling，“thatMr。EltonwouldhesitatetoassureyouoftherebeingaverymusicalsocietyinHighbury；
andIhopeyouwillnotfindhehasoutsteppedthetruthmorethanmaybepardoned，inconsiderationofthemotive。”
“No，indeed，Ihavenodoubtsatallonthathead。Iamdelightedtofindmyselfinsuchacircle。Ihopeweshallhavemanysweetlittleconcertstogether。Ithink，MissWoodhouse，youandI
mustestablishamusicalclub，andhaveregularweeklymeetingsatyourhouse，orours。Willnotitbeagoodplan？Ifweexertourselves，Ithinkweshallnotbelonginwantofallies。
Somethingofthatnaturewouldbeparticularlydesirableforme，asaninducementtokeepmeinpractice；formarriedwomen，youknow——
thereisasadstoryagainstthem，ingeneral。Theyarebuttooapttogiveupmusic。”
“Butyou，whoaresoextremelyfondofit——therecanbenodanger，surely？“
“Ishouldhopenot；butreallywhenIlookaroundamongmyacquaintance，Itremble。Selinahasentirelygivenupmusic——nevertouchestheinstrument——thoughsheplayedsweetly。AndthesamemaybesaidofMrs。Jeffereys——ClaraPartridge，thatwas——andofthetwoMilmans，nowMrs。BirdandMrs。JamesCooper；andofmorethanIcanenumerate。
Uponmyworditisenoughtoputoneinafright。IusedtobequiteangrywithSelina；butreallyIbeginnowtocomprehendthatamarriedwomanhasmanythingstocallherattention。
IbelieveIwashalfanhourthismorningshutupwithmyhousekeeper。”
“Buteverythingofthatkind。”saidEmma，“willsoonbeinsoregularatrain——“
“Well。”saidMrs。Elton，laughing，“weshallsee。”
Emma，findinghersodetermineduponneglectinghermusic，hadnothingmoretosay；and，afteramoment’spause，Mrs。Eltonchoseanothersubject。
“WehavebeencallingatRandalls。”saidshe，“andfoundthembothathome；andverypleasantpeopletheyseemtobe。
Ilikethemextremely。Mr。Westonseemsanexcellentcreature——
quiteafirst-ratefavouritewithmealready，Iassureyou。
Andsheappearssotrulygood——thereissomethingsomotherlyandkind-heartedabouther，thatitwinsupononedirectly。
Shewasyourgoverness，Ithink？“
Emmawasalmosttoomuchastonishedtoanswer；butMrs。Eltonhardlywaitedfortheaffirmativebeforeshewenton。
“Havingunderstoodasmuch，Iwasratherastonishedtofindhersoverylady-like！Butsheisreallyquitethegentlewoman。”
“Mrs。Weston’smanners。”saidEmma，“werealwaysparticularlygood。
Theirpropriety，simplicity，andelegance，wouldmakethemthesafestmodelforanyyoungwoman。”
“Andwhodoyouthinkcameinwhilewewerethere？“
Emmawasquiteataloss。Thetoneimpliedsomeoldacquaintance——
andhowcouldshepossiblyguess？
“Knightley！“continuedMrs。Elton；“Knightleyhimself！——Wasnotitlucky？——for，notbeingwithinwhenhecalledtheotherday，Ihadneverseenhimbefore；andofcourse，assoparticularafriendofMr。E。’s，Ihadagreatcuriosity。`MyfriendKnightley’
hadbeensooftenmentioned，thatIwasreallyimpatienttoseehim；
andImustdomycarosposothejusticetosaythatheneednotbeashamedofhisfriend。Knightleyisquitethegentleman。
Ilikehimverymuch。Decidedly，Ithink，averygentleman-likeman。”
Happily，itwasnowtimetobegone。Theywereoff；andEmmacouldbreathe。
“Insufferablewoman！“washerimmediateexclamation。“WorsethanI
hadsupposed。Absolutelyinsufferable！Knightley！——Icouldnothavebelievedit。Knightley！——neverseenhiminherlifebefore，andcallhimKnightley！——anddiscoverthatheisagentleman！
Alittleupstart，vulgarbeing，withherMr。E。，andhercarosposo，andherresources，andallherairsofpertpretensionandunderbredfinery。ActuallytodiscoverthatMr。Knightleyisagentleman！Idoubtwhetherhewillreturnthecompliment，anddiscoverhertobealady。Icouldnothavebelievedit！
AndtoproposethatsheandIshouldunitetoformamusicalclub！
Onewouldfancywewerebosomfriends！AndMrs。Weston！——
Astonishedthatthepersonwhohadbroughtmeupshouldbeagentlewoman！Worseandworse。Inevermetwithherequal。
Muchbeyondmyhopes。Harrietisdisgracedbyanycomparison。
Oh！whatwouldFrankChurchillsaytoher，ifhewerehere？
Howangryandhowdivertedhewouldbe！Ah！thereIam——
thinkingofhimdirectly。Alwaysthefirstpersontobethoughtof！
HowIcatchmyselfout！FrankChurchillcomesasregularlyintomymind！“——
Allthisransogliblythroughherthoughts，thatbythetimeherfatherhadarrangedhimself，afterthebustleoftheEltons’
departure，andwasreadytospeak，shewasverytolerablycapableofattending。
“Well，mydear。”hedeliberatelybegan，“consideringweneversawherbefore，sheseemsaveryprettysortofyounglady；andIdaresayshewasverymuchpleasedwithyou。Shespeaksalittletooquick。
Alittlequicknessofvoicethereiswhichratherhurtstheear。
ButIbelieveIamnice；Idonotlikestrangevoices；andnobodyspeakslikeyouandpoorMissTaylor。However，sheseemsaveryobliging，pretty-behavedyounglady，andnodoubtwillmakehimaverygoodwife。
ThoughIthinkhehadbetternothavemarried。ImadethebestexcusesIcouldfornothavingbeenabletowaitonhimandMrs。Eltononthishappyoccasion；IsaidthatIhopedIshouldinthecourseofthesummer。ButIoughttohavegonebefore。Nottowaituponabrideisveryremiss。Ah！itshewswhatasadinvalidIam！
ButIdonotlikethecornerintoVicarageLane。”
“Idaresayyourapologieswereaccepted，sir。Mr。Eltonknowsyou。”
“Yes：butayounglady——abride——Ioughttohavepaidmyrespectstoherifpossible。Itwasbeingverydeficient。”
“But，mydearpapa，youarenofriendtomatrimony；andthereforewhyshouldyoubesoanxioustopayyourrespectstoabride？
Itoughttobenorecommendationtoyou。Itisencouragingpeopletomarryifyoumakesomuchofthem。”
“No，mydear，Ineverencouragedanybodytomarry，butIwouldalwayswishtopayeveryproperattentiontoalady——andabride，especially，isnevertobeneglected。Moreisavowedlyduetoher。
Abride，youknow，mydear，isalwaysthefirstincompany，lettheothersbewhotheymay。”
“Well，papa，ifthisisnotencouragementtomarry，Idonotknowwhatis。AndIshouldneverhaveexpectedyoutobelendingyoursanctiontosuchvanity-baitsforpooryoungladies。”
“Mydear，youdonotunderstandme。Thisisamatterofmerecommonpolitenessandgood-breeding，andhasnothingtodowithanyencouragementtopeopletomarry。”
Emmahaddone。Herfatherwasgrowingnervous，andcouldnotunderstandher。HermindreturnedtoMrs。Elton’soffences，andlong，verylong，didtheyoccupyher。
Chapter15CHAPTERXV
Emmawasnotrequired，byanysubsequentdiscovery，toretractherillopinionofMrs。Elton。Herobservationhadbeenprettycorrect。
SuchasMrs。Eltonappearedtoheronthissecondinterview，suchsheappearedwhenevertheymetagain，——self-important，presuming，familiar，ignorant，andill-bred。Shehadalittlebeautyandalittleaccomplishment，butsolittlejudgmentthatshethoughtherselfcomingwithsuperiorknowledgeoftheworld，toenlivenandimproveacountryneighbourhood；andconceivedMissHawkinstohaveheldsuchaplaceinsocietyasMrs。Elton’sconsequenceonlycouldsurpass。
TherewasnoreasontosupposeMr。Eltonthoughtatalldifferentlyfromhiswife。Heseemednotmerelyhappywithher，butproud。
HehadtheairofcongratulatinghimselfonhavingbroughtsuchawomantoHighbury，asnotevenMissWoodhousecouldequal；
andthegreaterpartofhernewacquaintance，disposedtocommend，ornotinthehabitofjudging，followingtheleadofMissBates’sgood-will，ortakingitforgrantedthatthebridemustbeascleverandasagreeableassheprofessedherself，wereverywellsatisfied；
sothatMrs。Elton’spraisepassedfromonemouthtoanotherasitoughttodo，unimpededbyMissWoodhouse，whoreadilycontinuedherfirstcontributionandtalkedwithagoodgraceofherbeing“verypleasantandveryelegantlydressed。”
InonerespectMrs。Eltongrewevenworsethanshehadappearedatfirst。HerfeelingsalteredtowardsEmma——Offended，probably，bythelittleencouragementwhichherproposalsofintimacymetwith，shedrewbackinherturnandgraduallybecamemuchmorecoldanddistant；andthoughtheeffectwasagreeable，theill-willwhichproduceditwasnecessarilyincreasingEmma’sdislike。
Hermanners，too——andMr。Elton’s，wereunpleasanttowardsHarriet。
Theyweresneeringandnegligent。EmmahopeditmustrapidlyworkHarriet’scure；butthesensationswhichcouldpromptsuchbehavioursunkthembothverymuch——ItwasnottobedoubtedthatpoorHarriet’sattachmenthadbeenanofferingtoconjugalunreserve，andherownshareinthestory，underacolouringtheleastfavourabletoherandthemostsoothingtohim，hadinalllikelihoodbeengivenalso。Shewas，ofcourse，theobjectoftheirjointdislike——
Whentheyhadnothingelsetosay，itmustbealwayseasytobeginabusingMissWoodhouse；andtheenmitywhichtheydarednotshewinopendisrespecttoher，foundabroaderventincontemptuoustreatmentofHarriet。
Mrs。EltontookagreatfancytoJaneFairfax；andfromthefirst。
Notmerelywhenastateofwarfarewithoneyoungladymightbesupposedtorecommendtheother，butfromtheveryfirst；andshewasnotsatisfiedwithexpressinganaturalandreasonableadmiration——
butwithoutsolicitation，orplea，orprivilege，shemustbewantingtoassistandbefriendher——BeforeEmmahadforfeitedherconfidence，andaboutthethirdtimeoftheirmeeting，sheheardallMrs。Elton’sknight-errantryonthesubject——
“JaneFairfaxisabsolutelycharming，MissWoodhouse——IquiteraveaboutJaneFairfax——Asweet，interestingcreature。Somildandladylike——andwithsuchtalents！——IassureyouIthinkshehasveryextraordinarytalents。Idonotscrupletosaythatsheplaysextremelywell。Iknowenoughofmusictospeakdecidedlyonthatpoint。Oh！sheisabsolutelycharming！Youwilllaughatmywarmth——but，uponmyword，ItalkofnothingbutJaneFairfax——
Andhersituationissocalculatedtoaffectone！——MissWoodhouse，wemustexertourselvesandendeavourtodosomethingforher。
Wemustbringherforward。Suchtalentashersmustnotbesufferedtoremainunknown——Idaresayyouhaveheardthosecharminglinesofthepoet，`Fullmanyaflowerisborntoblushunseen，`Andwasteitsfragranceonthedesertair。’
WemustnotallowthemtobeverifiedinsweetJaneFairfax。”
“Icannotthinkthereisanydangerofit。”wasEmma’scalmanswer——
“andwhenyouarebetteracquaintedwithMissFairfax’ssituationandunderstandwhatherhomehasbeen，withColonelandMrs。Campbell，Ihavenoideathatyouwillsupposehertalentscanbeunknown。”
“Oh！butdearMissWoodhouse，sheisnowinsuchretirement，suchobscurity，sothrownaway——WhateveradvantagesshemayhaveenjoyedwiththeCampbellsaresopalpablyatanend！AndIthinkshefeelsit。Iamsureshedoes。Sheisverytimidandsilent。
Onecanseethatshefeelsthewantofencouragement。Ilikeherthebetterforit。Imustconfessitisarecommendationtome。
Iamagreatadvocatefortimidity——andIamsureonedoesnotoftenmeetwithit——Butinthosewhoareatallinferior，itisextremelyprepossessing。Oh！Iassureyou，JaneFairfaxisaverydelightfulcharacter，andinterestsmemorethanI
canexpress。”
“Youappeartofeelagreatdeal——butIamnotawarehowyouoranyofMissFairfax’sacquaintancehere，anyofthosewhohaveknownherlongerthanyourself，canshewheranyotherattentionthan“——
“MydearMissWoodhouse，avastdealmaybedonebythosewhodaretoact。YouandIneednotbeafraid。Ifwesettheexample，manywillfollowitasfarastheycan；thoughallhavenotoursituations。Wehavecarriagestofetchandconveyherhome，andweliveinastylewhichcouldnotmaketheadditionofJaneFairfax，atanytime，theleastinconvenient——IshouldbeextremelydispleasedifWrightweretosendusupsuchadinner，ascouldmakemeregrethavingaskedmorethanJaneFairfaxtopartakeofit。Ihavenoideaofthatsortofthing。
ItisnotlikelythatIshould，consideringwhatIhavebeenusedto。
Mygreatestdanger，perhaps，inhousekeeping，maybequitetheotherway，indoingtoomuch，andbeingtoocarelessofexpense。
MapleGrovewillprobablybemymodelmorethanitoughttobe——
forwedonotatallaffecttoequalmybrother，Mr。Suckling，inincome——However，myresolutionistakenastonoticingJaneFairfax——
Ishallcertainlyhaveherveryoftenatmyhouse，shallintroduceherwhereverIcan，shallhavemusicalpartiestodrawouthertalents，andshallbeconstantlyonthewatchforaneligiblesituation。
Myacquaintanceissoveryextensive，thatIhavelittledoubtofhearingofsomethingtosuithershortly——Ishallintroduceher，ofcourse，veryparticularlytomybrotherandsisterwhentheycometous。Iamsuretheywilllikeherextremely；andwhenshegetsalittleacquaintedwiththem，herfearswillcompletelywearoff，fortherereallyisnothinginthemannersofeitherbutwhatishighlyconciliating——Ishallhaveherveryoftenindeedwhiletheyarewithme，andIdaresayweshallsometimesfindaseatforherinthebarouche-landauinsomeofourexploringparties。”
“PoorJaneFairfax！“——thoughtEmma——“Youhavenotdeservedthis。
YoumayhavedonewrongwithregardtoMr。Dixon，butthisisapunishmentbeyondwhatyoucanhavemerited！——ThekindnessandprotectionofMrs。Elton！——`JaneFairfaxandJaneFairfax。’Heavens！
Letmenotsupposethatshedaresgoabout，EmmaWoodhouse-ingme！——
Butuponmyhonour，thereseemsnolimitstothelicentiousnessofthatwoman’stongue！“