Janedeclinedit，however，andthehusbandandwifewalkedoff。
“Happycouple！“saidFrankChurchill，assoonastheywereoutofhearing：——“Howwelltheysuitoneanother！——Verylucky——marryingastheydid，uponanacquaintanceformedonlyinapublicplace！——Theyonlykneweachother，Ithink，afewweeksinBath！Peculiarlylucky！——
forastoanyrealknowledgeofaperson’sdispositionthatBath，oranypublicplace，cangive——itisallnothing；therecanbenoknowledge。Itisonlybyseeingwomenintheirownhomes，amongtheirownset，justastheyalwaysare，thatyoucanformanyjustjudgment。Shortofthat，itisallguessandluck——
andwillgenerallybeill-luck。Howmanyamanhascommittedhimselfonashortacquaintance，andrueditalltherestofhislife！“
MissFairfax，whohadseldomspokenbefore，exceptamongherownconfederates，spokenow。
“Suchthingsdooccur，undoubtedly。”——Shewasstoppedbyacough。
FrankChurchillturnedtowardshertolisten。
“Youwerespeaking。”saidhe，gravely。Sherecoveredhervoice。
“Iwasonlygoingtoobserve，thatthoughsuchunfortunatecircumstancesdosometimesoccurbothtomenandwomen，Icannotimaginethemtobeveryfrequent。Ahastyandimprudentattachmentmayarise——
butthereisgenerallytimetorecoverfromitafterwards。Iwouldbeunderstoodtomean，thatitcanbeonlyweak，irresolutecharacters，whosehappinessmustbealwaysatthemercyofchance，
whowillsufferanunfortunateacquaintancetobeaninconvenience，anoppressionforever。”
Hemadenoanswer；merelylooked，andbowedinsubmission；andsoonafterwardssaid，inalivelytone，“Well，Ihavesolittleconfidenceinmyownjudgment，thatwheneverImarry，Ihopesomebodywillchusemywifeforme。Willyou？
turningtoEmma。Willyouchuseawifeforme？——IamsureI
shouldlikeanybodyfixedonbyyou。Youprovideforthefamily，youknow，withasmileathisfather。Findsomebodyforme。
Iaminnohurry。Adopther，educateher。”
“Andmakeherlikemyself。”
“Byallmeans，ifyoucan。”
“Verywell。Iundertakethecommission。Youshallhaveacharmingwife。”
“Shemustbeverylively，andhavehazleeyes。Icarefornothingelse。
Ishallgoabroadforacoupleofyears——andwhenIreturn，Ishallcometoyouformywife。Remember。”
Emmawasinnodangerofforgetting。Itwasacommissiontotoucheveryfavouritefeeling。WouldnotHarrietbetheverycreaturedescribed？
Hazleeyesexcepted，twoyearsmoremightmakeherallthathewished。
HemightevenhaveHarrietinhisthoughtsatthemoment；
whocouldsay？Referringtheeducationtoherseemedtoimplyit。
“Now，ma’am。”saidJanetoheraunt，“shallwejoinMrs。Elton？“
“Ifyouplease，mydear。Withallmyheart。Iamquiteready。
Iwasreadytohavegonewithher，butthiswilldojustaswell。
Weshallsoonovertakeher。Theresheis——no，that’ssomebodyelse。
That’soneoftheladiesintheIrishcarparty，notatalllikeher——
Well，Ideclare——“
Theywalkedoff，followedinhalfaminutebyMr。Knightley。
Mr。Weston，hisson，Emma，andHarriet，onlyremained；andtheyoungman’sspiritsnowrosetoapitchalmostunpleasant。EvenEmmagrewtiredatlastofflatteryandmerriment，andwishedherselfratherwalkingquietlyaboutwithanyoftheothers，orsittingalmostalone，andquiteunattendedto，intranquilobservationofthebeautifulviewsbeneathher。Theappearanceoftheservantslookingoutforthemtogivenoticeofthecarriageswasajoyfulsight；
andeventhebustleofcollectingandpreparingtodepart，andthesolicitudeofMrs。Eltontohavehercarriagefirst，weregladlyendured，intheprospectofthequietdrivehomewhichwastoclosetheveryquestionableenjoymentsofthisdayofpleasure。
Suchanotherscheme，composedofsomanyill-assortedpeople，shehopednevertobebetrayedintoagain。
Whilewaitingforthecarriage，shefoundMr。Knightleybyherside。
Helookedaround，asiftoseethatnoonewerenear，andthensaid，“Emma，ImustoncemorespeaktoyouasIhavebeenusedtodo：
aprivilegeratherenduredthanallowed，perhaps，butImuststilluseit。Icannotseeyouactingwrong，withoutaremonstrance。
HowcouldyoubesounfeelingtoMissBates？Howcouldyoubesoinsolentinyourwittoawomanofhercharacter，age，andsituation？——
Emma，Ihadnotthoughtitpossible。”
Emmarecollected，blushed，wassorry，buttriedtolaughitoff。
“Nay，howcouldIhelpsayingwhatIdid？——Nobodycouldhavehelpedit。
Itwasnotsoverybad。Idaresayshedidnotunderstandme。”
“Iassureyoushedid。Shefeltyourfullmeaning。Shehastalkedofitsince。Iwishyoucouldhaveheardhowshetalkedofit——
withwhatcandourandgenerosity。Iwishyoucouldhaveheardherhonouringyourforbearance，inbeingabletopayhersuchattentions，asshewasforeverreceivingfromyourselfandyourfather，whenhersocietymustbesoirksome。”
“Oh！“criedEmma，“Iknowthereisnotabettercreatureintheworld：
butyoumustallow，thatwhatisgoodandwhatisridiculousaremostunfortunatelyblendedinher。”
“Theyareblended。”saidhe，“Iacknowledge；and，weresheprosperous，Icouldallowmuchfortheoccasionalprevalenceoftheridiculousoverthegood。Weresheawomanoffortune，Iwouldleaveeveryharmlessabsurditytotakeitschance，Iwouldnotquarrelwithyouforanylibertiesofmanner。Weresheyourequalinsituation——
but，Emma，considerhowfarthisisfrombeingthecase。Sheispoor；
shehassunkfromthecomfortsshewasbornto；and，ifshelivetooldage，mustprobablysinkmore。Hersituationshouldsecureyourcompassion。Itwasbadlydone，indeed！You，whomshehadknownfromaninfant，whomshehadseengrowupfromaperiodwhenhernoticewasanhonour，tohaveyounow，inthoughtlessspirits，andtheprideofthemoment，laughather，humbleher——andbeforeherniece，too——andbeforeothers，manyofwhomcertainlysome，
wouldbeentirelyguidedbyyourtreatmentofher——Thisisnotpleasanttoyou，Emma——anditisveryfarfrompleasanttome；
butImust，Iwill，——IwilltellyoutruthswhileIcan；
satisfiedwithprovingmyselfyourfriendbyveryfaithfulcounsel，andtrustingthatyouwillsometimeorotherdomegreaterjusticethanyoucandonow。”
Whiletheytalked，theywereadvancingtowardsthecarriage；
itwasready；and，beforeshecouldspeakagain，hehadhandedherin。
Hehadmisinterpretedthefeelingswhichhadkeptherfaceaverted，andhertonguemotionless。Theywerecombinedonlyofangeragainstherself，mortification，anddeepconcern。Shehadnotbeenabletospeak；and，onenteringthecarriage，sunkbackforamomentovercome——thenreproachingherselfforhavingtakennoleave，makingnoacknowledgment，partinginapparentsullenness，shelookedoutwithvoiceandhandeagertoshewadifference；
butitwasjusttoolate。Hehadturnedaway，andthehorseswereinmotion。Shecontinuedtolookback，butinvain；andsoon，withwhatappearedunusualspeed，theywerehalfwaydownthehill，andeverythingleftfarbehind。Shewasvexedbeyondwhatcouldhavebeenexpressed——almostbeyondwhatshecouldconceal。
Neverhadshefeltsoagitated，mortified，grieved，atanycircumstanceinherlife。Shewasmostforciblystruck。Thetruthofthisrepresentationtherewasnodenying。Shefeltitatherheart。
Howcouldshehavebeensobrutal，socrueltoMissBates！Howcouldshehaveexposedherselftosuchillopinioninanyoneshevalued！
Andhowsufferhimtoleaveherwithoutsayingonewordofgratitude，ofconcurrence，ofcommonkindness！
Timedidnotcomposeher。Asshereflectedmore，sheseemedbuttofeelitmore。Sheneverhadbeensodepressed。Happilyitwasnotnecessarytospeak。TherewasonlyHarriet，whoseemednotinspiritsherself，fagged，andverywillingtobesilent；andEmmafeltthetearsrunningdownhercheeksalmostallthewayhome，withoutbeingatanytroubletocheckthem，extraordinaryastheywere。
Chapter08CHAPTERVIII
ThewretchednessofaschemetoBoxHillwasinEmma’sthoughtsalltheevening。Howitmightbeconsideredbytherestoftheparty，shecouldnottell。They，intheirdifferenthomes，andtheirdifferentways，mightbelookingbackonitwithpleasure；butinherviewitwasamorningmorecompletelymisspent，moretotallybareofrationalsatisfactionatthetime，andmoretobeabhorredinrecollection，thananyshehadeverpassed。Awholeeveningofback-gammonwithherfather，wasfelicitytoit。There，indeed，layrealpleasure，forthereshewasgivingupthesweetesthoursofthetwenty-fourtohiscomfort；andfeelingthat，unmeritedasmightbethedegreeofhisfondaffectionandconfidingesteem，shecouldnot，inhergeneralconduct，beopentoanyseverereproach。Asadaughter，shehopedshewasnotwithoutaheart。Shehopednoonecouldhavesaidtoher，“Howcouldyoubesounfeelingtoyourfather？——
Imust，IwilltellyoutruthswhileIcan。”MissBatesshouldneveragain——no，never！Ifattention，infuture，coulddoawaythepast，shemighthopetobeforgiven。Shehadbeenoftenremiss，herconsciencetoldherso；remiss，perhaps，moreinthoughtthanfact；scornful，ungracious。Butitshouldbesonomore。
Inthewarmthoftruecontrition，shewouldcalluponhertheverynextmorning，anditshouldbethebeginning，onherside，ofaregular，equal，kindlyintercourse。
Shewasjustasdeterminedwhenthemorrowcame，andwentearly，thatnothingmightpreventher。Itwasnotunlikely，shethought，thatshemightseeMr。Knightleyinherway；or，perhaps，hemightcomeinwhileshewerepayinghervisit。Shehadnoobjection。
Shewouldnotbeashamedoftheappearanceofthepenitence，sojustlyandtrulyhers。HereyesweretowardsDonwellasshewalked，butshesawhimnot。
“Theladieswereallathome。”Shehadneverrejoicedatthesoundbefore，noreverbeforeenteredthepassage，norwalkedupthestairs，withanywishofgivingpleasure，butinconferringobligation，orofderivingit，exceptinsubsequentridicule。
Therewasabustleonherapproach；agooddealofmovingandtalking。
SheheardMissBates’svoice，somethingwastobedoneinahurry；
themaidlookedfrightenedandawkward；hopedshewouldbepleasedtowaitamoment，andthenusheredherintoosoon。Theauntandnieceseemedbothescapingintotheadjoiningroom。Janeshehadadistinctglimpseof，lookingextremelyill；and，beforethedoorhadshutthemout，sheheardMissBatessaying，“Well，mydear，Ishallsayyouarelaiddownuponthebed，andIamsureyouareillenough。”
PooroldMrs。Bates，civilandhumbleasusual，lookedasifshedidnotquiteunderstandwhatwasgoingon。
“IamafraidJaneisnotverywell。”saidshe，“butIdonotknow；
theytellmesheiswell。Idaresaymydaughterwillbeherepresently，MissWoodhouse。Ihopeyoufindachair。IwishHettyhadnotgone。
Iamverylittleable——Haveyouachair，ma’am？Doyousitwhereyoulike？Iamsureshewillbeherepresently。”
Emmaseriouslyhopedshewould。Shehadamoment’sfearofMissBateskeepingawayfromher。ButMissBatessooncame——“Veryhappyandobliged“——butEmma’sconsciencetoldherthattherewasnotthesamecheerfulvolubilityasbefore——lesseaseoflookandmanner。
AveryfriendlyinquiryafterMissFairfax，shehoped，mightleadthewaytoareturnofoldfeelings。Thetouchseemedimmediate。
“Ah！MissWoodhouse，howkindyouare！——Isupposeyouhaveheard——
andarecometogiveusjoy。Thisdoesnotseemmuchlikejoy，indeed，inme——twinklingawayatearortwo——butitwillbeverytryingforustopartwithher，afterhavinghadhersolong，andshehasadreadfulheadachjustnow，writingallthemorning：——
suchlongletters，youknow，tobewrittentoColonelCampbell，andMrs。Dixon。`Mydear，’saidI，`youwillblindyourself’——
fortearswereinhereyesperpetually。Onecannotwonder，onecannotwonder。Itisagreatchange；andthoughsheisamazinglyfortunate——suchasituation，Isuppose，asnoyoungwomanbeforeevermetwithonfirstgoingout——donotthinkusungrateful，MissWoodhouse，forsuchsurprisinggoodfortune——againdispersinghertears——but，poordearsoul！ifyouweretoseewhataheadacheshehas。Whenoneisingreatpain，youknowonecannotfeelanyblessingquiteasitmaydeserve。Sheisaslowaspossible。
Tolookather，nobodywouldthinkhowdelightedandhappysheistohavesecuredsuchasituation。Youwillexcusehernotcomingtoyou——sheisnotable——sheisgoneintoherownroom——
Iwanthertoliedownuponthebed。`Mydear，’saidI，`Ishallsayyouarelaiddownuponthebed：’but，however，sheisnot；
sheiswalkingabouttheroom。But，nowthatshehaswrittenherletters，shesayssheshallsoonbewell。Shewillbeextremelysorrytomissseeingyou，MissWoodhouse，butyourkindnesswillexcuseher。Youwerekeptwaitingatthedoor——Iwasquiteashamed——
butsomehowtherewasalittlebustle——foritsohappenedthatwehadnotheardtheknock，andtillyouwereonthestairs，wedidnotknowanybodywascoming。`ItisonlyMrs。Cole，’saidI，`dependuponit。Nobodyelsewouldcomesoearly。’`Well，’
saidshe，`itmustbebornesometimeorother，anditmayaswellbenow。’
ButthenPattycamein，andsaiditwasyou。`Oh！’saidI，`itisMissWoodhouse：Iamsureyouwillliketoseeher。’——
`Icanseenobody，’saidshe；andupshegot，andwouldgoaway；
andthatwaswhatmadeuskeepyouwaiting——andextremelysorryandashamedwewere。`Ifyoumustgo，mydear，’saidI，`youmust，andIwillsayyouarelaiddownuponthebed。’“
Emmawasmostsincerelyinterested。HerhearthadbeenlonggrowingkindertowardsJane；andthispictureofherpresentsufferingsactedasacureofeveryformerungeneroussuspicion，andlefthernothingbutpity；andtheremembranceofthelessjustandlessgentlesensationsofthepast，obligedhertoadmitthatJanemightverynaturallyresolveonseeingMrs。Coleoranyothersteadyfriend，whenshemightnotbeartoseeherself。Shespokeasshefelt，withearnestregretandsolicitude——sincerelywishingthatthecircumstanceswhichshecollectedfromMissBatestobenowactuallydeterminedon，mightbeasmuchforMissFairfax’sadvantageandcomfortaspossible。“Itmustbeaseveretrialtothemall。
ShehadunderstooditwastobedelayedtillColonelCampbell’sreturn。”
“Soverykind！“repliedMissBates。“Butyouarealwayskind。”
Therewasnobearingsuchan“always；“andtobreakthroughherdreadfulgratitude，Emmamadethedirectinquiryof——
“Where——mayIask？——isMissFairfaxgoing？“
“ToaMrs。Smallridge——charmingwoman——mostsuperior——tohavethechargeofherthreelittlegirls——delightfulchildren。
Impossiblethatanysituationcouldbemorerepletewithcomfort；
ifweexcept，perhaps，Mrs。Suckling’sownfamily，andMrs。Bragge’s；
butMrs。Smallridgeisintimatewithboth，andintheverysameneighbourhood：——livesonlyfourmilesfromMapleGrove。
JanewillbeonlyfourmilesfromMapleGrove。”
“Mrs。Elton，Isuppose，hasbeenthepersontowhomMissFairfaxowes——“
“Yes，ourgoodMrs。Elton。Themostindefatigable，truefriend。
Shewouldnottakeadenial。ShewouldnotletJanesay，`No；’
forwhenJanefirstheardofit，itwasthedaybeforeyesterday，theverymorningwewereatDonwell，whenJanefirstheardofit，shewasquitedecidedagainstacceptingtheoffer，andforthereasonsyoumention；exactlyasyousay，shehadmadeuphermindtoclosewithnothingtillColonelCampbell’sreturn，andnothingshouldinducehertoenterintoanyengagementatpresent——andsoshetoldMrs。Eltonoverandoveragain——andIamsureIhadnomoreideathatshewouldchangehermind！——butthatgoodMrs。Elton，whosejudgmentneverfailsher，sawfartherthanIdid。Itisnoteverybodythatwouldhavestoodoutinsuchakindwayasshedid，andrefusetotakeJane’sanswer；butshepositivelydeclaredshewouldnotwriteanysuchdenialyesterday，asJanewishedher；
shewouldwait——and，sureenough，yesterdayeveningitwasallsettledthatJaneshouldgo。Quiteasurprizetome！Ihadnottheleastidea！——JanetookMrs。Eltonaside，andtoldheratonce，thatuponthinkingovertheadvantagesofMrs。Smallridge’ssituation，shehadcometotheresolutionofacceptingit——Ididnotknowawordofittillitwasallsettled。”
“YouspenttheeveningwithMrs。Elton？“
“Yes，allofus；Mrs。Eltonwouldhaveuscome。Itwassettledso，uponthehill，whilewewerewalkingaboutwithMr。Knightley。
`Youmustallspendyoureveningwithus，’saidshe——`Ipositivelymusthaveyouallcome。’“
“Mr。Knightleywastheretoo，washe？“
“No，notMr。Knightley；hedeclineditfromthefirst；andthoughI
thoughthewouldcome，becauseMrs。Eltondeclaredshewouldnotlethimoff，hedidnot；——butmymother，andJane，andI，wereallthere，andaveryagreeableeveningwehad。Suchkindfriends，youknow，MissWoodhouse，onemustalwaysfindagreeable，thougheverybodyseemedratherfaggedafterthemorning’sparty。Evenpleasure，youknow，isfatiguing——andIcannotsaythatanyofthemseemedverymuchtohaveenjoyedit。However，Ishallalwaysthinkitaverypleasantparty，andfeelextremelyobligedtothekindfriendswhoincludedmeinit。”
“MissFairfax，Isuppose，thoughyouwerenotawareofit，hadbeenmakinguphermindthewholeday？“
“Idaresayshehad。”
“Wheneverthetimemaycome，itmustbeunwelcometoherandallherfriends——butIhopeherengagementwillhaveeveryalleviationthatispossible——Imean，astothecharacterandmannersofthefamily。”
“Thankyou，dearMissWoodhouse。Yes，indeed，thereiseverythingintheworldthatcanmakeherhappyinit。ExcepttheSucklingsandBragges，thereisnotsuchanothernurseryestablishment，soliberalandelegant，inallMrs。Elton’sacquaintance。
Mrs。Smallridge，amostdelightfulwoman！——AstyleoflivingalmostequaltoMapleGrove——andastothechildren，exceptthelittleSucklingsandlittleBragges，therearenotsuchelegantsweetchildrenanywhere。Janewillbetreatedwithsuchregardandkindness！——
Itwillbenothingbutpleasure，alifeofpleasure——Andhersalary！——
Ireallycannotventuretonamehersalarytoyou，MissWoodhouse。
Evenyou，usedasyouaretogreatsums，wouldhardlybelievethatsomuchcouldbegiventoayoungpersonlikeJane。”
“Ah！madam。”criedEmma，“ifotherchildrenareatalllikewhatI
remembertohavebeenmyself，IshouldthinkfivetimestheamountofwhatIhaveeveryetheardnamedasasalaryonsuchoccasions，dearlyearned。”
“Youaresonobleinyourideas！“
“AndwhenisMissFairfaxtoleaveyou？“
“Verysoon，verysoon，indeed；that’stheworstofit。
Withinafortnight。Mrs。Smallridgeisinagreathurry。
Mypoormotherdoesnotknowhowtobearit。Sothen，Itrytoputitoutofherthoughts，andsay，Comema’am，donotletusthinkaboutitanymore。”
“Herfriendsmustallbesorrytoloseher；andwillnotColonelandMrs。Campbellbesorrytofindthatshehasengagedherselfbeforetheirreturn？“
“Yes；Janesayssheissuretheywill；butyet，thisissuchasituationasshecannotfeelherselfjustifiedindeclining。
IwassoastonishedwhenshefirsttoldmewhatshehadbeensayingtoMrs。Elton，andwhenMrs。Eltonatthesamemomentcamecongratulatingmeuponit！Itwasbeforetea——stay——no，itcouldnotbebeforetea，becausewewerejustgoingtocards——andyetitwasbeforetea，becauseIrememberthinking——Oh！no，nowIrecollect，nowIhaveit；
somethinghappenedbeforetea，butnotthat。Mr。Eltonwascalledoutoftheroombeforetea，oldJohnAbdy’ssonwantedtospeakwithhim。PooroldJohn，Ihaveagreatregardforhim；hewasclerktomypoorfathertwenty-sevenyears；andnow，pooroldman，heisbed-ridden，andverypoorlywiththerheumaticgoutinhisjoints——
Imustgoandseehimto-day；andsowillJane，Iamsure，ifshegetsoutatall。AndpoorJohn’ssoncametotalktoMr。Eltonaboutrelieffromtheparish；heisverywelltodohimself，youknow，beingheadmanattheCrown，ostler，andeverythingofthatsort，butstillhecannotkeephisfatherwithoutsomehelp；
andso，whenMr。Eltoncameback，hetolduswhatJohnostlerhadbeentellinghim，andthenitcameoutaboutthechaisehavingbeensenttoRandallstotakeMr。FrankChurchilltoRichmond。
Thatwaswhathappenedbeforetea。ItwasafterteathatJanespoketoMrs。Elton。”
MissBateswouldhardlygiveEmmatimetosayhowperfectlynewthiscircumstancewastoher；butaswithoutsupposingitpossiblethatshecouldbeignorantofanyoftheparticularsofMr。FrankChurchill’sgoing，sheproceededtogivethemall，itwasofnoconsequence。
WhatMr。Eltonhadlearnedfromtheostleronthesubject，beingtheaccumulationoftheostler’sownknowledge，andtheknowledgeoftheservantsatRandalls，was，thatamessengerhadcomeoverfromRichmondsoonafterthereturnofthepartyfromBoxHill——
whichmessenger，however，hadbeennomorethanwasexpected；
andthatMr。Churchillhadsenthisnephewafewlines，containing，uponthewhole，atolerableaccountofMrs。Churchill，andonlywishinghimnottodelaycomingbackbeyondthenextmorningearly；
butthatMr。FrankChurchillhavingresolvedtogohomedirectly，withoutwaitingatall，andhishorseseemingtohavegotacold，TomhadbeensentoffimmediatelyfortheCrownchaise，andtheostlerhadstoodoutandseenitpassby，theboygoingagoodpace，anddrivingverysteady。
Therewasnothinginallthiseithertoastonishorinterest，anditcaughtEmma’sattentiononlyasitunitedwiththesubjectwhichalreadyengagedhermind。ThecontrastbetweenMrs。Churchill’simportanceintheworld，andJaneFairfax’s，struckher；onewaseverything，theothernothing——andshesatmusingonthedifferenceofwoman’sdestiny，andquiteunconsciousonwhathereyeswerefixed，tillrousedbyMissBates’ssaying，“Aye，Iseewhatyouarethinkingof，thepianoforte。Whatistobecomeofthat？——Verytrue。PoordearJanewastalkingofitjustnow——
`Youmustgo，’saidshe。`YouandImustpart。Youwillhavenobusinesshere——Letitstay，however，’saidshe；`giveithouseroomtillColonelCampbellcomesback。Ishalltalkaboutittohim；
hewillsettleforme；hewillhelpmeoutofallmydifficulties。’——
Andtothisday，Idobelieve，sheknowsnotwhetheritwashispresentorhisdaughter’s。”
NowEmmawasobligedtothinkofthepianoforte；andtheremembranceofallherformerfancifulandunfairconjectureswassolittlepleasing，thatshesoonallowedherselftobelievehervisithadbeenlongenough；and，witharepetitionofeverythingthatshecouldventuretosayofthegoodwisheswhichshereallyfelt，tookleave。
Chapter09CHAPTERIX
Emma’spensivemeditations，asshewalkedhome，werenotinterrupted；
butonenteringtheparlour，shefoundthosewhomustrouseher。
Mr。KnightleyandHarriethadarrivedduringherabsence，andweresittingwithherfather——Mr。Knightleyimmediatelygotup，andinamannerdecidedlygraverthanusual，said，“Iwouldnotgoawaywithoutseeingyou，butIhavenotimetospare，andthereforemustnowbegonedirectly。IamgoingtoLondon，tospendafewdayswithJohnandIsabella。Haveyouanythingtosendorsay，besidesthe`love，’whichnobodycarries？“
“Nothingatall。Butisnotthisasuddenscheme？“
“Yes——rather——Ihavebeenthinkingofitsomelittletime。”
Emmawassurehehadnotforgivenher；helookedunlikehimself。
Time，however，shethought，wouldtellhimthattheyoughttobefriendsagain。Whilehestood，asifmeaningtogo，butnotgoing——
herfatherbeganhisinquiries。
“Well，mydear，anddidyougettheresafely？——Andhowdidyoufindmyworthyoldfriendandherdaughter？——Idaresaytheymusthavebeenverymuchobligedtoyouforcoming。DearEmmahasbeentocallonMrs。andMissBates，Mr。Knightley，asItoldyoubefore。
Sheisalwayssoattentivetothem！“
Emma’scolourwasheightenedbythisunjustpraise；andwithasmile，andshakeofthehead，whichspokemuch，shelookedatMr。Knightley——
Itseemedasiftherewereaninstantaneousimpressioninherfavour，asifhiseyesreceivedthetruthfromher’s，andallthathadpassedofgoodinherfeelingswereatoncecaughtandhonoured——
Helookedatherwithaglowofregard。Shewaswarmlygratified——
andinanothermomentstillmoreso，byalittlemovementofmorethancommonfriendlinessonhispart——Hetookherhand；——
whethershehadnotherselfmadethefirstmotion，shecouldnotsay——
shemight，perhaps，haveratherofferedit——buthetookherhand，pressedit，andcertainlywasonthepointofcarryingittohislips——
when，fromsomefancyorother，hesuddenlyletitgo——Whyheshouldfeelsuchascruple，whyheshouldchangehismindwhenitwasallbutdone，shecouldnotperceive——Hewouldhavejudgedbetter，shethought，ifhehadnotstopped——Theintention，however，wasindubitable；
andwhetheritwasthathismannershadingeneralsolittlegallantry，orhoweverelseithappened，butshethoughtnothingbecamehimmore——
Itwaswithhim，ofsosimple，yetsodignifiedanature——
Shecouldnotbutrecalltheattemptwithgreatsatisfaction。
Itspokesuchperfectamity——Heleftthemimmediatelyafterwards——
goneinamoment。Healwaysmovedwiththealertnessofamindwhichcouldneitherbeundecidednordilatory，butnowheseemedmoresuddenthanusualinhisdisappearance。
EmmacouldnotregretherhavinggonetoMissBates，butshewishedshehadlefthertenminutesearlier；——itwouldhavebeenagreatpleasuretotalkoverJaneFairfax’ssituationwithMr。Knightley——
NeitherwouldsheregretthatheshouldbegoingtoBrunswickSquare，forsheknewhowmuchhisvisitwouldbeenjoyed——butitmighthavehappenedatabettertime——andtohavehadlongernoticeofit，wouldhavebeenpleasanter——Theypartedthoroughfriends，however；
shecouldnotbedeceivedastothemeaningofhiscountenance，andhisunfinishedgallantry；——itwasalldonetoassureherthatshehadfullyrecoveredhisgoodopinion——Hehadbeensittingwiththemhalfanhour，shefound。Itwasapitythatshehadnotcomebackearlier！
Inthehopeofdivertingherfather’sthoughtsfromthedisagreeablenessofMr。Knightley’sgoingtoLondon；andgoingsosuddenly；
andgoingonhorseback，whichsheknewwouldbeallverybad；
EmmacommunicatedhernewsofJaneFairfax，andherdependenceontheeffectwasjustified；itsuppliedaveryusefulcheck，——
interested，withoutdisturbinghim。HehadlongmadeuphismindtoJaneFairfax’sgoingoutasgoverness，andcouldtalkofitcheerfully，butMr。Knightley’sgoingtoLondonhadbeenanunexpectedblow。
“Iamveryglad，indeed，mydear，tohearsheistobesocomfortablysettled。Mrs。Eltonisverygood-naturedandagreeable，andIdaresayheracquaintancearejustwhattheyoughttobe。Ihopeitisadrysituation，andthatherhealthwillbetakengoodcareof。Itoughttobeafirstobject，asIamsurepoorMissTaylor’salwayswaswithme。Youknow，mydear，sheisgoingtobetothisnewladywhatMissTaylorwastous。AndIhopeshewillbebetteroffinonerespect，andnotbeinducedtogoawayafterithasbeenherhomesolong。”
ThefollowingdaybroughtnewsfromRichmondtothroweverythingelseintothebackground。AnexpressarrivedatRandallstoannouncethedeathofMrs。Churchill！Thoughhernephewhadhadnoparticularreasontohastenbackonheraccount，shehadnotlivedabovesix-and-thirtyhoursafterhisreturn。
Asuddenseizureofadifferentnaturefromanythingforebodedbyhergeneralstate，hadcarriedheroffafterashortstruggle。
ThegreatMrs。Churchillwasnomore。
Itwasfeltassuchthingsmustbefelt。Everybodyhadadegreeofgravityandsorrow；tendernesstowardsthedeparted，solicitudeforthesurvivingfriends；and，inareasonabletime，curiositytoknowwhereshewouldbeburied。Goldsmithtellsus，thatwhenlovelywomanstoopstofolly，shehasnothingtodobuttodie；andwhenshestoopstobedisagreeable，itisequallytoberecommendedasaclearerofill-fame。Mrs。Churchill，afterbeingdislikedatleasttwenty-fiveyears，wasnowspokenofwithcompassionateallowances。Inonepointshewasfullyjustified。
Shehadneverbeenadmittedbeforetobeseriouslyill。Theeventacquittedherofallthefancifulness，andalltheselfishnessofimaginarycomplaints。
“PoorMrs。Churchill！nodoubtshehadbeensufferingagreatdeal：
morethananybodyhadeversupposed——andcontinualpainwouldtrythetemper。Itwasasadevent——agreatshock——withallherfaults，whatwouldMr。Churchilldowithouther？Mr。Churchill’slosswouldbedreadfulindeed。Mr。Churchillwouldnevergetoverit。”——
EvenMr。Westonshookhishead，andlookedsolemn，andsaid，“Ah！poorwoman，whowouldhavethoughtit！“andresolved，thathismourningshouldbeashandsomeaspossible；andhiswifesatsighingandmoralisingoverherbroadhemswithacommiserationandgoodsense，trueandsteady。HowitwouldaffectFrankwasamongtheearliestthoughtsofboth。ItwasalsoaveryearlyspeculationwithEmma。
ThecharacterofMrs。Churchill，thegriefofherhusband——hermindglancedoverthembothwithaweandcompassion——andthenrestedwithlightenedfeelingsonhowFrankmightbeaffectedbytheevent，howbenefited，howfreed。Shesawinamomentallthepossiblegood。
Now，anattachmenttoHarrietSmithwouldhavenothingtoencounter。
Mr。Churchill，independentofhiswife，wasfearedbynobody；
aneasy，guidableman，tobepersuadedintoanythingbyhisnephew。
Allthatremainedtobewishedwas，thatthenephewshouldformtheattachment，as，withallhergoodwillinthecause，Emmacouldfeelnocertaintyofitsbeingalreadyformed。
Harrietbehavedextremelywellontheoccasion，withgreatself-command。
Whatevershemightfeelofbrighterhope，shebetrayednothing。
Emmawasgratified，toobservesuchaproofinherofstrengthenedcharacter，andrefrainedfromanyallusionthatmightendangeritsmaintenance。
Theyspoke，therefore，ofMrs。Churchill’sdeathwithmutualforbearance。
ShortlettersfromFrankwerereceivedatRandalls，communicatingallthatwasimmediatelyimportantoftheirstateandplans。
Mr。Churchillwasbetterthancouldbeexpected；andtheirfirstremoval，onthedepartureofthefuneralforYorkshire，wastobetothehouseofaveryoldfriendinWindsor，towhomMr。Churchillhadbeenpromisingavisitthelasttenyears。
Atpresent，therewasnothingtobedoneforHarriet；goodwishesforthefuturewereallthatcouldyetbepossibleonEmma’sside。
ItwasamorepressingconcerntoshewattentiontoJaneFairfax，whoseprospectswereclosing，whileHarriet’sopened，andwhoseengagementsnowallowedofnodelayinanyoneatHighbury，whowishedtoshewherkindness——andwithEmmaitwasgrownintoafirstwish。
Shehadscarcelyastrongerregretthanforherpastcoldness；
andtheperson，whomshehadbeensomanymonthsneglecting，wasnowtheveryoneonwhomshewouldhavelavishedeverydistinctionofregardorsympathy。Shewantedtobeofusetoher；wantedtoshewavalueforhersociety，andtestifyrespectandconsideration。
SheresolvedtoprevailonhertospendadayatHartfield。
Anotewaswrittentourgeit。Theinvitationwasrefused，andbyaverbalmessage。“MissFairfaxwasnotwellenoughtowrite；“
andwhenMr。PerrycalledatHartfield，thesamemorning，itappearedthatshewassomuchindisposedastohavebeenvisited，thoughagainstherownconsent，byhimself，andthatshewassufferingundersevereheadaches，andanervousfevertoadegree，whichmadehimdoubtthepossibilityofhergoingtoMrs。Smallridge’satthetimeproposed。Herhealthseemedforthemomentcompletelyderanged——
appetitequitegone——andthoughtherewerenoabsolutelyalarmingsymptoms，nothingtouchingthepulmonarycomplaint，whichwasthestandingapprehensionofthefamily，Mr。Perrywasuneasyabouther。Hethoughtshehadundertakenmorethanshewasequalto，andthatshefeltitsoherself，thoughshewouldnotownit。Herspiritsseemedovercome。Herpresenthome，hecouldnotbutobserve，wasunfavourabletoanervousdisorder：——
confinedalwaystooneroom；——hecouldhavewisheditotherwise——
andhergoodaunt，thoughhisveryoldfriend，hemustacknowledgetobenotthebestcompanionforaninvalidofthatdescription。
Hercareandattentioncouldnotbequestioned；theywere，infact，onlytoogreat。HeverymuchfearedthatMissFairfaxderivedmoreevilthangoodfromthem。Emmalistenedwiththewarmestconcern；
grievedforhermoreandmore，andlookedaroundeagertodiscoversomewayofbeinguseful。Totakeher——beitonlyanhourortwo——fromheraunt，togiveherchangeofairandscene，andquietrationalconversation，evenforanhourortwo，mightdohergood；andthefollowingmorningshewroteagaintosay，inthemostfeelinglanguageshecouldcommand，thatshewouldcallforherinthecarriageatanyhourthatJanewouldname——
mentioningthatshehadMr。Perry’sdecidedopinion，infavourofsuchexerciseforhispatient。Theanswerwasonlyinthisshortnote：
“MissFairfax’scomplimentsandthanks，butisquiteunequaltoanyexercise。”
Emmafeltthatherownnotehaddeservedsomethingbetter；butitwasimpossibletoquarrelwithwords，whosetremulousinequalityshewedindispositionsoplainly，andshethoughtonlyofhowshemightbestcounteractthisunwillingnesstobeseenorassisted。
Inspiteoftheanswer，therefore，sheorderedthecarriage，anddrovetoMrs。Bates’s，inthehopethatJanewouldbeinducedtojoinher——
butitwouldnotdo；——MissBatescametothecarriagedoor，allgratitude，andagreeingwithhermostearnestlyinthinkinganairingmightbeofthegreatestservice——andeverythingthatmessagecoulddowastried——
butallinvain。MissBateswasobligedtoreturnwithoutsuccess；
Janewasquiteunpersuadable；themereproposalofgoingoutseemedtomakeherworse——Emmawishedshecouldhaveseenher，andtriedherownpowers；but，almostbeforeshecouldhintthewish，MissBatesmadeitappearthatshehadpromisedhernieceonnoaccounttoletMissWoodhousein。“Indeed，thetruthwas，thatpoordearJanecouldnotbeartoseeanybody——anybodyatall——
Mrs。Elton，indeed，couldnotbedenied——andMrs。Colehadmadesuchapoint——andMrs。Perryhadsaidsomuch——but，exceptthem，Janewouldreallyseenobody。”
EmmadidnotwanttobeclassedwiththeMrs。Eltons，theMrs。Perrys，andtheMrs。Coles，whowouldforcethemselvesanywhere；
neithercouldshefeelanyrightofpreferenceherself——
shesubmitted，therefore，andonlyquestionedMissBatesfartherastoherniece’sappetiteanddiet，whichshelongedtobeabletoassist。OnthatsubjectpoorMissBateswasveryunhappy，andverycommunicative；Janewouldhardlyeatanything：——
Mr。Perryrecommendednourishingfood；buteverythingtheycouldcommandandneverhadanybodysuchgoodneighbourswasdistasteful。
Emma，onreachinghome，calledthehousekeeperdirectly，toanexaminationofherstores；andsomearrowrootofverysuperiorqualitywasspeedilydespatchedtoMissBateswithamostfriendlynote。
Inhalfanhourthearrowrootwasreturned，withathousandthanksfromMissBates，but“dearJanewouldnotbesatisfiedwithoutitsbeingsentback；itwasathingshecouldnottake——and，moreover，sheinsistedonhersaying，thatshewasnotatallinwantofanything。”
WhenEmmaafterwardsheardthatJaneFairfaxhadbeenseenwanderingaboutthemeadows，atsomedistancefromHighbury，ontheafternoonoftheverydayonwhichshehad，underthepleaofbeingunequaltoanyexercise，soperemptorilyrefusedtogooutwithherinthecarriage，shecouldhavenodoubt——puttingeverythingtogether——
thatJanewasresolvedtoreceivenokindnessfromher。Shewassorry，verysorry。Herheartwasgrievedforastatewhichseemedbutthemorepitiablefromthissortofirritationofspirits，inconsistencyofaction，andinequalityofpowers；anditmortifiedherthatshewasgivensolittlecreditforproperfeeling，oresteemedsolittleworthyasafriend：butshehadtheconsolationofknowingthatherintentionsweregood，andofbeingabletosaytoherself，thatcouldMr。KnightleyhavebeenprivytoallherattemptsofassistingJaneFairfax，couldheevenhaveseenintoherheart，hewouldnot，onthisoccasion，havefoundanythingtoreprove。
Chapter10CHAPTERX
Onemorning，abouttendaysafterMrs。Churchill’sdecease，EmmawascalleddownstairstoMr。Weston，who“couldnotstayfiveminutes，andwantedparticularlytospeakwithher。”——
Hemetherattheparlour-door，andhardlyaskingherhowshedid，inthenaturalkeyofhisvoice，sunkitimmediately，tosay，unheardbyherfather，“CanyoucometoRandallsatanytimethismorning？——Do，ifitbepossible。Mrs。Westonwantstoseeyou。Shemustseeyou。”
“Issheunwell？“
“No，no，notatall——onlyalittleagitated。Shewouldhaveorderedthecarriage，andcometoyou，butshemustseeyoualone，andthatyouknow——noddingtowardsherfather——Humph！——Canyoucome？“
“Certainly。Thismoment，ifyouplease。Itisimpossibletorefusewhatyouaskinsuchaway。Butwhatcanbethematter？——
Isshereallynotill？“
“Dependuponme——butasknomorequestions。Youwillknowitallintime。Themostunaccountablebusiness！Buthush，hush！“
Toguesswhatallthismeant，wasimpossibleevenforEmma。
Somethingreallyimportantseemedannouncedbyhislooks；
but，asherfriendwaswell，sheendeavourednottobeuneasy，andsettlingitwithherfather，thatshewouldtakeherwalknow，sheandMr。WestonweresoonoutofthehousetogetherandontheirwayataquickpaceforRandalls。
“Now。”——saidEmma，whentheywerefairlybeyondthesweepgates，——
“nowMr。Weston，doletmeknowwhathashappened。”
“No，no。”——hegravelyreplied——“Don’taskme。Ipromisedmywifetoleaveitalltoher。ShewillbreakittoyoubetterthanI
can。
Donotbeimpatient，Emma；itwillallcomeouttoosoon。”
“Breakittome。”criedEmma，standingstillwithterror——
“GoodGod！——Mr。Weston，tellmeatonce——SomethinghashappenedinBrunswickSquare。Iknowithas。Tellme，Ichargeyoutellmethismomentwhatitis。”
“No，indeedyouaremistaken。”——
“Mr。Westondonottriflewithme——ConsiderhowmanyofmydearestfriendsarenowinBrunswickSquare。Whichofthemisit？——
Ichargeyoubyallthatissacred，nottoattemptconcealment。”
“Uponmyword，Emma。”——
“Yourword！——whynotyourhonour！——whynotsayuponyourhonour，thatithasnothingtodowithanyofthem？GoodHeavens！——Whatcanbetobebroketome，thatdoesnotrelatetooneofthatfamily？“
“Uponmyhonour。”saidheveryseriously，“itdoesnot。ItisnotinthesmallestdegreeconnectedwithanyhumanbeingofthenameofKnightley。”
Emma’scouragereturned，andshewalkedon。
“Iwaswrong。”hecontinued，“intalkingofitsbeingbroketoyou。
Ishouldnothaveusedtheexpression。Infact，itdoesnotconcernyou——
itconcernsonlymyself，——thatis，wehope——Humph！——Inshort，mydearEmma，thereisnooccasiontobesouneasyaboutit。
Idon’tsaythatitisnotadisagreeablebusiness——butthingsmightbemuchworse——Ifwewalkfast，weshallsoonbeatRandalls。”
Emmafoundthatshemustwait；andnowitrequiredlittleeffort。
Sheaskednomorequestionstherefore，merelyemployedherownfancy，andthatsoonpointedouttohertheprobabilityofitsbeingsomemoneyconcern——somethingjustcometolight，ofadisagreeablenatureinthecircumstancesofthefamily，——somethingwhichthelateeventatRichmondhadbroughtforward。Herfancywasveryactive。
Halfadozennaturalchildren，perhaps——andpoorFrankcutoff！——
This，thoughveryundesirable，wouldbenomatterofagonytoher。
Itinspiredlittlemorethanananimatingcuriosity。
“Whoisthatgentlemanonhorseback？“saidshe，astheyproceeded——
speakingmoretoassistMr。Westoninkeepinghissecret，thanwithanyotherview。
“Idonotknow——OneoftheOtways——NotFrank；——itisnotFrank，Iassureyou。Youwillnotseehim。HeishalfwaytoWindsorbythistime。”
“Hasyoursonbeenwithyou，then？“
“Oh！yes——didnotyouknow？——Well，well，nevermind。”
Foramomenthewassilent；andthenadded，inatonemuchmoreguardedanddemure，“Yes，Frankcameoverthismorning，justtoaskushowwedid。”
Theyhurriedon，andwerespeedilyatRandalls——“Well，mydear。”
saidhe，astheyenteredtheroom——“Ihavebroughther，andnowIhopeyouwillsoonbebetter。Ishallleaveyoutogether。
Thereisnouseindelay。Ishallnotbefaroff，ifyouwantme。”——
AndEmmadistinctlyheardhimadd，inalowertone，beforehequittedtheroom，——“Ihavebeenasgoodasmyword。Shehasnottheleastidea。”
Mrs。Westonwaslookingsoill，andhadanairofsomuchperturbation，thatEmma’suneasinessincreased；andthemomenttheywerealone，sheeagerlysaid，“Whatisitmydearfriend？Somethingofaveryunpleasantnature，Ifind，hasoccurred；——doletmeknowdirectlywhatitis。
Ihavebeenwalkingallthiswayincompletesuspense。Webothabhorsuspense。Donotletminecontinuelonger。Itwilldoyougoodtospeakofyourdistress，whateveritmaybe。”
“Haveyouindeednoidea？“saidMrs。Westoninatremblingvoice。
“Cannotyou，mydearEmma——cannotyouformaguessastowhatyouaretohear？“
“SofarasthatitrelatestoMr。FrankChurchill，Idoguess。”
“Youareright。Itdoesrelatetohim，andIwilltellyoudirectly；“
resumingherwork，andseemingresolvedagainstlookingup。
“Hehasbeenherethisverymorning，onamostextraordinaryerrand。
Itisimpossibletoexpressoursurprize。Hecametospeaktohisfatheronasubject，——toannounceanattachment——“
Shestoppedtobreathe。Emmathoughtfirstofherself，andthenofHarriet。
“Morethananattachment，indeed。”resumedMrs。Weston；“anengagement——
apositiveengagement——Whatwillyousay，Emma——whatwillanybodysay，whenitisknownthatFrankChurchillandMissFairfaxareengaged；——nay，thattheyhavebeenlongengaged！“
Emmaevenjumpedwithsurprize；——and，horror-struck，exclaimed，“JaneFairfax！——GoodGod！Youarenotserious？Youdonotmeanit？“
“Youmaywellbeamazed。”returnedMrs。Weston，stillavertinghereyes，andtalkingonwitheagerness，thatEmmamighthavetimetorecover——
“Youmaywellbeamazed。Butitisevenso。TherehasbeenasolemnengagementbetweenthemeversinceOctober——formedatWeymouth，andkeptasecretfromeverybody。Notacreatureknowingitbutthemselves——neithertheCampbells，norherfamily，norhis——
Itissowonderful，thatthoughperfectlyconvincedofthefact，itisyetalmostincredibletomyself。Icanhardlybelieveit——
IthoughtIknewhim。”
Emmascarcelyheardwhatwassaid——Hermindwasdividedbetweentwoideas——herownformerconversationswithhimaboutMissFairfax；
andpoorHarriet；——andforsometimeshecouldonlyexclaim，andrequireconfirmation，repeatedconfirmation。
“Well。”saidsheatlast，tryingtorecoverherself；“thisisacircumstancewhichImustthinkofatleasthalfaday，beforeI
canatallcomprehendit。What！——engagedtoherallthewinter——
beforeeitherofthemcametoHighbury？“
“EngagedsinceOctober，——secretlyengaged——Ithashurtme，Emma，verymuch。Ithashurthisfatherequally。Somepartofhisconductwecannotexcuse。”
Emmaponderedamoment，andthenreplied，“Iwillnotpretendnottounderstandyou；andtogiveyouallthereliefinmypower，beassuredthatnosucheffecthasfollowedhisattentionstome，asyouareapprehensiveof。”
Mrs。Westonlookedup，afraidtobelieve；butEmma’scountenancewasassteadyasherwords。
“Thatyoumayhavelessdifficultyinbelievingthisboast，ofmypresentperfectindifference。”shecontinued，“Iwillfarthertellyou，thattherewasaperiodintheearlypartofouracquaintance，whenIdidlikehim，whenIwasverymuchdisposedtobeattachedtohim——nay，wasattached——andhowitcametocease，isperhapsthewonder。Fortunately，however，itdidcease。
Ihavereallyforsometimepast，foratleastthesethreemonths，carednothingabouthim。Youmaybelieveme，Mrs。Weston。
Thisisthesimpletruth。”
Mrs。Westonkissedherwithtearsofjoy；andwhenshecouldfindutterance，assuredher，thatthisprotestationhaddonehermoregoodthananythingelseintheworldcoulddo。
“Mr。Westonwillbealmostasmuchrelievedasmyself。”saidshe。
“Onthispointwehavebeenwretched。Itwasourdarlingwishthatyoumightbeattachedtoeachother——andwewerepersuadedthatitwasso——
Imaginewhatwehavebeenfeelingonyouraccount。”
“Ihaveescaped；andthatIshouldescape，maybeamatterofgratefulwondertoyouandmyself。Butthisdoesnotacquithim，Mrs。Weston；andImustsay，thatIthinkhimgreatlytoblame。
Whatrighthadhetocomeamonguswithaffectionandfaithengaged，andwithmannerssoverydisengaged？Whatrighthadhetoendeavourtoplease，ashecertainlydid——todistinguishanyoneyoungwomanwithperseveringattention，ashecertainlydid——whilehereallybelongedtoanother？——Howcouldhetellwhatmischiefhemightbedoing？——
Howcouldhetellthathemightnotbemakingmeinlovewithhim？——
verywrong，verywrongindeed。”
“Fromsomethingthathesaid，mydearEmma，Iratherimagine——“
“Andhowcouldshebearsuchbehaviour！Composurewithawitness！
tolookon，whilerepeatedattentionswereofferingtoanotherwoman，beforeherface，andnotresentit——Thatisadegreeofplacidity，whichIcanneithercomprehendnorrespect。”
“Thereweremisunderstandingsbetweenthem，Emma；hesaidsoexpressly。Hehadnottimetoenterintomuchexplanation。
Hewashereonlyaquarterofanhour，andinastateofagitationwhichdidnotallowthefulluseevenofthetimehecouldstay——
butthattherehadbeenmisunderstandingshedecidedlysaid。
Thepresentcrisis，indeed，seemedtobebroughtonbythem；
andthosemisunderstandingsmightverypossiblyarisefromtheimproprietyofhisconduct。”
“Impropriety！Oh！Mrs。Weston——itistoocalmacensure。
Much，muchbeyondimpropriety！——Ithassunkhim，Icannotsayhowithassunkhiminmyopinion。Sounlikewhatamanshouldbe！——
Noneofthatuprightintegrity，thatstrictadherencetotruthandprinciple，thatdisdainoftrickandlittleness，whichamanshoulddisplayineverytransactionofhislife。”
“Nay，dearEmma，nowImusttakehispart；forthoughhehasbeenwronginthisinstance，Ihaveknownhimlongenoughtoanswerforhishavingmany，verymany，goodqualities；and——“
“GoodGod！“criedEmma，notattendingtoher——“Mrs。Smallridge，too！
Janeactuallyonthepointofgoingasgoverness！Whatcouldhemeanbysuchhorribleindelicacy？Tosufferhertoengageherself——
tosufferhereventothinkofsuchameasure！“
“Heknewnothingaboutit，Emma。OnthisarticleIcanfullyacquithim。Itwasaprivateresolutionofhers，notcommunicatedtohim——oratleastnotcommunicatedinawaytocarryconviction——
Tillyesterday，Iknowhesaidhewasinthedarkastoherplans。
Theyburstonhim，Idonotknowhow，butbysomeletterormessage——
anditwasthediscoveryofwhatshewasdoing，ofthisveryprojectofhers，whichdeterminedhimtocomeforwardatonce，ownitalltohisuncle，throwhimselfonhiskindness，and，inshort，putanendtothemiserablestateofconcealmentthathadbeencarryingonsolong。”
Emmabegantolistenbetter。
“Iamtohearfromhimsoon。”continuedMrs。Weston。“Hetoldmeatparting，thatheshouldsoonwrite；andhespokeinamannerwhichseemedtopromisememanyparticularsthatcouldnotbegivennow。
Letuswait，therefore，forthisletter。Itmaybringmanyextenuations。
Itmaymakemanythingsintelligibleandexcusablewhichnowarenottobeunderstood。Don’tletusbesevere，don’tletusbeinahurrytocondemnhim。Letushavepatience。Imustlovehim；
andnowthatIamsatisfiedononepoint，theonematerialpoint，Iamsincerelyanxiousforitsallturningoutwell，andreadytohopethatitmay。Theymustbothhavesufferedagreatdealundersuchasystemofsecresyandconcealment。”
“Hissufferings。”repliedEmmadryly，“donotappeartohavedonehimmuchharm。Well，andhowdidMr。Churchilltakeit？“
“Mostfavourablyforhisnephew——gavehisconsentwithscarcelyadifficulty。Conceivewhattheeventsofaweekhavedoneinthatfamily！WhilepoorMrs。Churchilllived，Isupposetherecouldnothavebeenahope，achance，apossibility；——butscarcelyareherremainsatrestinthefamilyvault，thanherhusbandispersuadedtoactexactlyoppositetowhatshewouldhaverequired。
Whatablessingitis，whenundueinfluencedoesnotsurvivethegrave！——
Hegavehisconsentwithverylittlepersuasion。”
“Ah！“thoughtEmma，“hewouldhavedoneasmuchforHarriet。”
“Thiswassettledlastnight，andFrankwasoffwiththelightthismorning。HestoppedatHighbury，attheBates’s，Ifancy，sometime——andthencameonhither；butwasinsuchahurrytogetbacktohisuncle，towhomheisjustnowmorenecessarythanever，that，asItellyou，hecouldstaywithusbutaquarterofanhour——
Hewasverymuchagitated——verymuch，indeed——toadegreethatmadehimappearquiteadifferentcreaturefromanythingIhadeverseenhimbefore——Inadditiontoalltherest，therehadbeentheshockoffindinghersoveryunwell，whichhehadhadnoprevioussuspicionof——
andtherewaseveryappearanceofhishavingbeenfeelingagreatdeal。”
“Anddoyoureallybelievetheaffairtohavebeencarryingonwithsuchperfectsecresy？——TheCampbells，theDixons，didnoneofthemknowoftheengagement？“
EmmacouldnotspeakthenameofDixonwithoutalittleblush。
“None；notone。Hepositivelysaidthatithadbeenknowntonobeingintheworldbuttheirtwoselves。”
“Well。”saidEmma，“Isupposeweshallgraduallygrowreconciledtotheidea，andIwishthemveryhappy。ButIshallalwaysthinkitaveryabominablesortofproceeding。Whathasitbeenbutasystemofhypocrisyanddeceit，——espionage，andtreachery？——
Tocomeamonguswithprofessionsofopennessandsimplicity；
andsuchaleagueinsecrettojudgeusall！——Herehavewebeen，thewholewinterandspring，completelyduped，fancyingourselvesallonanequalfootingoftruthandhonour，withtwopeopleinthemidstofuswhomayhavebeencarryinground，comparingandsittinginjudgmentonsentimentsandwordsthatwerenevermeantforbothtohear——Theymusttaketheconsequence，iftheyhaveheardeachotherspokenofinawaynotperfectlyagreeable！“
“Iamquiteeasyonthathead。”repliedMrs。Weston。“IamverysurethatIneversaidanythingofeithertotheother，whichbothmightnothaveheard。”
“Youareinluck——Youronlyblunderwasconfinedtomyear，whenyouimaginedacertainfriendofoursinlovewiththelady。”
“True。ButasIhavealwayshadathoroughlygoodopinionofMissFairfax，Inevercould，underanyblunder，havespokenillofher；
andastospeakingillofhim，thereImusthavebeensafe。”
AtthismomentMr。Westonappearedatalittledistancefromthewindow，evidentlyonthewatch。Hiswifegavehimalookwhichinvitedhimin；and，whilehewascominground，added，“Now，dearestEmma，letmeintreatyoutosayandlookeverythingthatmaysethisheartatease，andinclinehimtobesatisfiedwiththematch。
Letusmakethebestofit——and，indeed，almosteverythingmaybefairlysaidinherfavour。Itisnotaconnexiontogratify；
butifMr。Churchilldoesnotfeelthat，whyshouldwe？anditmaybeaveryfortunatecircumstanceforhim，forFrank，Imean，thatheshouldhaveattachedhimselftoagirlofsuchsteadinessofcharacterandgoodjudgmentasIhavealwaysgivenhercreditfor——
andstillamdisposedtogivehercreditfor，inspiteofthisonegreatdeviationfromthestrictruleofright。Andhowmuchmaybesaidinhersituationforeventhaterror！“
“Much，indeed！“criedEmmafeelingly。“Ifawomancaneverbeexcusedforthinkingonlyofherself，itisinasituationlikeJaneFairfax’s——Ofsuch，onemayalmostsay，that`theworldisnottheir’s，northeworld’slaw。’“
ShemetMr。Westononhisentrance，withasmilingcountenance，exclaiming，“Averyprettytrickyouhavebeenplayingme，uponmyword！
Thiswasadevice，Isuppose，tosportwithmycuriosity，andexercisemytalentofguessing。Butyoureallyfrightenedme。
Ithoughtyouhadlosthalfyourproperty，atleast。Andhere，insteadofitsbeingamatterofcondolence，itturnsouttobeoneofcongratulation——Icongratulateyou，Mr。Weston，withallmyheart，ontheprospectofhavingoneofthemostlovelyandaccomplishedyoungwomeninEnglandforyourdaughter。”
Aglanceortwobetweenhimandhiswife，convincedhimthatallwasasrightasthisspeechproclaimed；anditshappyeffectonhisspiritswasimmediate。Hisairandvoicerecoveredtheirusualbriskness：
heshookherheartilyandgratefullybythehand，andenteredonthesubjectinamannertoprove，thathenowonlywantedtimeandpersuasiontothinktheengagementnoverybadthing。
Hiscompanionssuggestedonlywhatcouldpalliateimprudence，orsmoothobjections；andbythetimetheyhadtalkeditallovertogether，andhehadtalkeditalloveragainwithEmma，intheirwalkbacktoHartfield，hewasbecomeperfectlyreconciled，andnotfarfromthinkingittheverybestthingthatFrankcouldpossiblyhavedone。
Chapter11CHAPTERXI
“Harriet，poorHarriet！“——Thosewerethewords；inthemlaythetormentingideaswhichEmmacouldnotgetridof，andwhichconstitutedtherealmiseryofthebusinesstoher。FrankChurchillhadbehavedveryillbyherself——veryillinmanyways，——butitwasnotsomuchhisbehaviourasherown，whichmadehersoangrywithhim。
ItwasthescrapewhichhehaddrawnherintoonHarriet’saccount，thatgavethedeepesthuetohisoffence——PoorHarriet！tobeasecondtimethedupeofhermisconceptionsandflattery。Mr。Knightleyhadspokenprophetically，whenheoncesaid，“Emma，youhavebeennofriendtoHarrietSmith。”——Shewasafraidshehaddonehernothingbutdisservice——Itwastruethatshehadnottochargeherself，inthisinstanceasintheformer，withbeingthesoleandoriginalauthorofthemischief；withhavingsuggestedsuchfeelingsasmightotherwiseneverhaveenteredHarriet’simagination；forHarriethadacknowledgedheradmirationandpreferenceofFrankChurchillbeforeshehadevergivenherahintonthesubject；butshefeltcompletelyguiltyofhavingencouragedwhatshemighthaverepressed。
Shemighthavepreventedtheindulgenceandincreaseofsuchsentiments。
Herinfluencewouldhavebeenenough。Andnowshewasveryconsciousthatsheoughttohavepreventedthem——Shefeltthatshehadbeenriskingherfriend’shappinessonmostinsufficientgrounds。
CommonsensewouldhavedirectedhertotellHarriet，thatshemustnotallowherselftothinkofhim，andthattherewerefivehundredchancestooneagainsthisevercaringforher——“But，withcommonsense。”sheadded，“IamafraidIhavehadlittletodo。”
Shewasextremelyangrywithherself。IfshecouldnothavebeenangrywithFrankChurchilltoo，itwouldhavebeendreadful——
AsforJaneFairfax，shemightatleastrelieveherfeelingsfromanypresentsolicitudeonheraccount。Harrietwouldbeanxietyenough；sheneednolongerbeunhappyaboutJane，whosetroublesandwhoseill-healthhaving，ofcourse，thesameorigin，mustbeequallyundercure——Herdaysofinsignificanceandevilwereover——Shewouldsoonbewell，andhappy，andprosperous