Shewassobusyinadmiringthosesoftblueeyes,intalkingandlistening,andformingalltheseschemesinthein-betweens,thattheeveningflewawayataveryunusualrate;andthesupper-table,whichalwaysclosedsuchparties,andforwhichshehadbeenusedtositandwatchtheduetime,wasallsetoutandready,andmovedforwardstothefire,beforeshewasaware.Withanalacritybeyondthecommonimpulseofaspiritwhichyetwasneverindifferenttothecreditofdoingeverythingwellandattentively,withtherealgood-willofaminddelightedwithitsownideas,didshethendoallthehonoursofthemeal,andhelpandrecommendthemincedchickenandscallopedoysters,withanurgencywhichsheknewwouldbeacceptabletotheearlyhoursandcivilscruplesoftheirguests.

UponsuchoccasionspoorMr.Woodhousesfeelingswereinsadwarfare.Helovedtohavetheclothlaid,becauseithadbeenthefashionofhisyouth,buthisconvictionofsuppersbeingveryunwholesomemadehimrathersorrytoseeanythingputonit;andwhilehishospitalitywouldhavewelcomedhisvisitorstoeverything,hiscarefortheirhealthmadehimgrievethattheywouldeat.

Suchanothersmallbasinofthingruelashisownwasallthathecould,withthoroughself-approbation,recommend;thoughhemightconstrainhimself,whiletheladieswerecomfortablyclearingthenicerthings,tosay:

`Mrs.Bates,letmeproposeyourventuringononeoftheseeggs.Aneggboiledverysoftisnotunwholesome.Serleunderstandsboilinganeggbetterthananybody.Iwouldnotrecommendaneggboiledbyanybodyelse;butyouneednotbeafraid,theyareverysmall,yousee-oneofoursmalleggswillnothurtyou.MissBates,letEmmahelpyoutoalittlebitoftart-averylittlebit.Oursareallapple-tarts.Youneednotbeafraidofunwholesomepreserveshere.Idonotadvisethecustard.Mrs.Goddard,whatsayyoutohalfaglassofwine?Asmallhalf-glass,putintoatumblerofwater?Idonotthinkitcoulddisagreewithyou.'

Emmaallowedherfathertotalk-butsuppliedhervisitorsinamuchmoresatisfactorystyle,andonthepresenteveninghadparticularpleasureinsendingthemawayhappy.ThehappinessofMissSmithwasquiteequaltoherintentions.MissWoodhousewassogreatapersonageinHighbury,thattheprospectoftheintroductionhadgivenasmuchpanicaspleasure;butthehumble,gratefullittlegirlwentoffwithhighlygratifiedfeelings,delightedwiththeaffabilitywithwhichMissWoodhousehadtreatedheralltheevening,andactuallyshakenhandswithheratlast!

CHAPTERIV

HarrietSmith'sintimacyatHartfieldwassoonasettledthing.Quickanddecidedinherways,Emmalostnotimeininviting,encouraging,andtellinghertocomeveryoften;andastheiracquaintanceincreased,sodidtheirsatisfactionineachother.Asawalkingcompanion,Emmahadveryearlyforeseenhowusefulshemightfindher.InthatrespectMrs.Weston'slosshadbeenimportant.Herfatherneverwentbeyondtheshrubbery,wheretwodivisionsofthegroundsufficedhimforhislongwalk,orhisshort,astheyearvaried;andsinceMrs.Weston'smarriageherexercisehadbeentoomuchconfined.ShehadventuredoncealonetoRandalls,butitwasnotpleasant;andaHarrietSmith,therefore,onewhomshecouldsummonatanytimetoawalk,wouldbeavaluableadditiontoherprivileges.Butineveryrespect,asshesawmoreofher,sheapprovedher,andwasconfirmedinallherkinddesigns.

Harrietcertainlywasnotclever,butshehadasweet,docile,gratefuldisposition,wastotallyfreefromconceit,andonlydesiringtobeguidedbyanyoneshelookedupto.Herearlyattachmenttoherselfwasveryamiable;andherinclinationforgoodcompany,andpowerofappreciatingwhatwaselegantandclever,shewedthattherewasnowantoftaste,thoughstrengthofunderstandingmustnotbeexpected.AltogethershewasquiteconvincedofHarrietSmith'sbeingexactlytheyoungfriendshewanted-exactlythesomethingwhichherhomerequired.SuchafriendasMrs.Westonwasoutofthequestion.Twosuchcouldneverbegranted.Twosuchshedidnotwant.Itwasquiteadifferentsortofthing,asentimentdistinctandindependent.Mrs.Westonwastheobjectofaregardwhichhaditsbasisingratitudeandesteem.Harrietwouldbelovedasonetowhomshecouldbeuseful.ForMrs.Westontherewasnothingtobedone;forHarrieteverything.

Herfirstattemptsatusefulnesswereinanendeavourtofindoutwhoweretheparents,butHarrietcouldnottell.Shewasreadytotelleverythinginherpower,butonthissubjectquestionswerevain.Emmawasobligedtofancywhatsheliked-butshecouldneverbelievethatinthesamesituationsheshouldnothavediscoveredthetruth.Harriethadnopenetration.ShehadbeensatisfiedtohearandbelievejustwhatMrs.Goddardchosetotellher;andlookednofarther.

Mrs.Goddard,andtheteachers,andthegirlsandtheaffairsoftheschoolingeneral,formednaturallyagreatpartoftheconversation-andbutforheracquaintancewiththeMartinsofAbbey-MillFarm,itmusthavebeenthewhole.ButtheMartinsoccupiedherthoughtsagooddeal;shehadspenttwoveryhappymonthswiththem,andnowlovedtotalkofthepleasuresofhervisit,anddescribethemanycomfortsandwondersoftheplace.Emmaencouragedhertalkativeness-amusedbysuchapictureofanothersetofbeings,andenjoyingtheyouthfulsimplicitywhichcouldspeakwithsomuchexultationofMrs.Martin'shaving`twoparlours,twoverygoodparlours,indeed;oneofthemquiteaslargeasMrs.Goddard'sdrawing-room;andofherhavinganuppermaidwhohadlivedfive-and-twentyyearswithher;andoftheirhavingeightcows,twoofthemAlderneys,andonealittleWelchcow,averyprettylittleWelchcowindeed;andofMrs.Martin'ssayingasshewassofondofit,itshouldbecalledhercow;andoftheirhavingaveryhandsomesummer-houseintheirgarden,wheresomedaynextyeartheywerealltodrinktea:-averyhandsomesummer-house,largeenoughtoholdadozenpeople.'

Forsometimeshewasamused,withoutthinkingbeyondtheimmediatecause;butasshecametounderstandthefamilybetter,otherfeelingsarose.Shehadtakenupawrongidea,fancyingitwasamotheranddaughter,asonandson'swife,whoalllivedtogether;butwhenitappearedthattheMr.Martin,whoboreapartinthenarrative,andwasalwaysmentionedwithapprobationforhisgreatgood-natureindoingsomethingorother,wasasingleman;thattherewasnoyoungMrs.Martin,nowifeinthecase;shedidsuspectdangertoherpoorlittlefriendfromallthishospitalityandkindness,andthat,ifshewerenottakencareof,shemightberequiredtosinkherselfforever.

Withthisinspiritingnotion,herquestionsincreasedinnumberandmeaning;andsheparticularlyledHarriettotalkmoreofMr.Martin,andtherewasevidentlynodisliketoit.Harrietwasveryreadytospeakofthesharehehadhadintheirmoonlightwalksandmerryeveninggames;anddweltagooddealuponhisbeingsoverygood-humouredandobliging.Hehadgonethreemilesroundonedayinordertobringhersomewalnuts,becauseshehadsaidhowfondshewasofthem,andineverythingelsehewassoveryobliging.Hehadhisshepherd'ssonintotheparlouronenightonpurposetosingtoher.Shewasveryfondofsinging.Hecouldsingalittlehimself.Shebelievedhewasveryclever,andunderstoodeverything.Hehadaveryfineflock,and,whileshewaswiththem,hehadbeenbidmoreforhiswoolthananybodyinthecountry.Shebelievedeverybodyspokewellofhim.Hismotherandsisterswereveryfondofhim.Mrs.Martinhadtoldheroneday(andtherewasablushasshesaidit,)thatitwasimpossibleforanybodytobeabetterson,andthereforeshewassure,wheneverhemarried,hewouldmakeagoodhusband.Notthatshewantedhimtomarry.Shewasinnohurryatall.

`Welldone,Mrs.Martin!'thoughtEmma.`Youknowwhatyouareabout.'

`Andwhenshehadcomeaway,Mrs.MartinwassoverykindastosendMrs.Goddardabeautifulgoose-thefinestgooseMrs.Goddardhadeverseen.Mrs.GoddardhaddresseditonaSunday,andaskedallthethreeteachers,MissNash,andMissPrince,andMissRichardson,tosupwithher.'

`Mr.Martin,Isuppose,isnotamanofinformationbeyondthelineofhisownbusiness?Hedoesnotread?'

`Ohyes!-thatis,no-Idonotknow-butIbelievehehasreadagooddeal-butnotwhatyouwouldthinkanythingof.HereadstheAgriculturalReports,andsomeotherbooksthatlayinoneofthewindowseats-buthereadsallthemtohimself.Butsometimesofanevening,beforewewenttocards,hewouldreadsomethingaloudoutoftheElegantExtracts,veryentertaining.AndIknowhehasreadtheVicarofWakefield.HeneverreadtheRomanceoftheForest,norTheChildrenoftheAbbey.HehadneverheardofsuchbooksbeforeImentionedthem,butheisdeterminedtogetthemnowassoonaseverhecan.'

Thenextquestionwas-

`WhatsortoflookingmanisMr.Martin?'

`Oh!nothandsome-notatallhandsome.Ithoughthimveryplainatfirst,butIdonotthinkhimsoplainnow.Onedoesnot,youknow,afteratime.Butdidyouneverseehim?HeisinHighburyeverynowandthen,andheissuretoridethrougheveryweekinhiswaytoKingston.Hehaspassedyouveryoften.'

`Thatmaybe,andImayhaveseenhimfiftytimes,butwithouthavinganyideaofhisname.Ayoungfarmer,whetheronhorsebackoronfoot,istheverylastsortofpersontoraisemycuriosity.TheyeomanryarepreciselytheorderofpeoplewithwhomIfeelIcanhavenothingtodo.Adegreeortwolower,andacreditableappearancemightinterestme;Imighthopetobeusefultotheirfamiliesinsomewayorother.Butafarmercanneednoneofmyhelp,andis,therefore,inonesense,asmuchabovemynoticeasineveryotherheisbelowit.'

`Tobesure.Ohyes!Itisnotlikelyyoushouldeverhaveobservedhim;butheknowsyouverywellindeed-Imeanbysight.'

`Ihavenodoubtofhisbeingaveryrespectableyoungman.Iknow,indeed,thatheisso,and,assuch,wishhimwell.Whatdoyouimaginehisagetobe?'

`Hewasfour-and-twentythe8thoflastJune,andmybirthdayisthe23rdjustafortnightandaday'sdifference-whichisveryodd.'

`Onlyfour-and-twenty.Thatistooyoungtosettle.Hismotherisperfectlyrightnottobeinahurry.Theyseemverycomfortableastheyare,andifsheweretotakeanypainstomarryhim,shewouldprobablyrepentit.Sixyearshence,ifhecouldmeetwithagoodsortofyoungwomaninthesamerankashisown,withalittlemoney,itmightbeverydesirable.'

`Sixyearshence!DearMissWoodhouse,hewouldbethirtyyearsold!'

`Well,andthatisasearlyasmostmencanaffordtomarry,whoarenotborntoanindependence.Mr.Martin,Iimagine,hashisfortuneentirelytomake-cannotbeatallbeforehandwiththeworld.Whatevermoneyhemightcomeintowhenhisfatherdied,whateverhisshareofthefamilyproperty,itis,Idaresay,allafloat,allemployedinhisstock,andsoforth;andthough,withdiligenceandgoodluck,hemayberichintime,itisnexttoimpossiblethatheshouldhaverealisedanythingyet.'

`Tobesure,soitis.Buttheyliveverycomfortably.Theyhavenoindoorsman,elsetheydonotwantforanything;andMrs.Martintalksoftakingaboyanotheryear.'

`Iwishyoumaynotgetintoascrape,Harriet,wheneverhedoesmarry;-Imean,astobeingacquaintedwithhiswife-forthoughhissisters,fromasuperioreducation,arenottobealtogetherobjectedto,itdoesnotfollowthathemightmarryanybodyatallfitforyoutonotice.Themisfortuneofyourbirthoughttomakeyouparticularlycarefulastoyourassociates.Therecanbenodoubtofyourbeingagentleman'sdaughter,andyoumustsupportyourclaimtothatstationbyeverythingwithinyourownpower,ortherewillbeplentyofpeoplewhowouldtakepleasureindegradingyou.'

`Yes,tobesure,Isupposethereare.ButwhileIvisitatHartfield,andyouaresokindtome,MissWoodhouse,Iamnotafraidofwhatanybodycando.'

`Youunderstandtheforceofinfluenceprettywell,Harriet;butIwouldhaveyousofirmlyestablishedingoodsociety,astobeindependentevenofHartfieldandMissWoodhouse.Iwanttoseeyoupermanentlywellconnected,andtothatenditwillbeadvisabletohaveasfewoddacquaintanceasmaybe;and,therefore,IsaythatifyoushouldstillbeinthiscountrywhenMr.Martinmarries,Iwishyoumaynotbedrawninbyyourintimacywiththesisters,tobeacquaintedwiththewife,whowillprobablybesomemerefarmer'sdaughter,withouteducation.'

`Tobesure.Yes.NotthatIthinkMr.Martinwouldevermarryanybodybutwhathadhadsomeeducation-andbeenverywellbroughtup.However,Idonotmeantosetupmyopinionagainstyour's-andIamsureIshallnotwishfortheacquaintanceofhiswife.IshallalwayshaveagreatregardfortheMissMartins,especiallyElizabeth,andshouldbeverysorrytogivethemup,fortheyarequiteaswelleducatedasme.Butifhemarriesaveryignorant,vulgarwoman,certainlyIhadbetternotvisither,ifIcanhelpit.'

Emmawatchedherthroughthefluctuationsofthisspeech,andsawnoalarmingsymptomsoflove.Theyoungmanhadbeenthefirstadmirer,butshetrustedtherewasnootherhold,andthattherewouldbenoseriousdifficulty,onHarriet'sside,toopposeanyfriendlyarrangementofherown.

TheymetMr.Martintheverynextday,astheywerewalkingontheDonwellroad.Hewasonfoot,andafterlookingveryrespectfullyather,lookedwithmostunfeignedsatisfactionathercompanion.Emmawasnotsorrytohavesuchanopportunityofsurvey;andwalkingafewyardsforward,whiletheytalkedtogether,soonmadeherquickeyesufficientlyacquaintedwithMr.RobertMartin.Hisappearancewasveryneat,andhelookedlikeasensibleyoungman,buthispersonhadnootheradvantage;andwhenhecametobecontrastedwithgentlemen,shethoughthemustloseallthegroundhehadgainedinHarriet'sinclination.Harrietwasnotinsensibleofmanner;shehadvoluntarilynoticedherfather'sgentlenesswithadmirationaswellaswonder.Mr.Martinlookedasifhedidnotknowwhatmannerwas.

Theyremainedbutafewminutestogether,asMissWoodhousemustnotbekeptwaiting;andHarrietthencamerunningtoherwithasmilingface,andinaflutterofspirits,whichMissWoodhousehopedverysoontocompose.

`Onlythinkofourhappeningtomeethim!-Howveryodd!Itwasquiteachance,hesaid,thathehadnotgoneroundbyRandalls.Hedidnotthinkweeverwalkedthisroad.HethoughtwewalkedtowardsRandallsmostdays.HehasnotbeenabletogettheRomanceoftheForestyet.HewassobusythelasttimehewasatKingstonthathequiteforgotit,buthegoesagainto-morrow.Soveryoddweshouldhappentomeet!Well,MissWoodhouse,ishelikewhatyouexpected?Whatdoyouthinkofhim?Doyouthinkhimsoveryplain?'

`Heisveryplain,undoubtedly-remarkablyplain:-butthatisnothingcomparedwithhisentirewantofgentility.Ihadnorighttoexpectmuch,andIdidnotexpectmuch;butIhadnoideathathecouldbesoveryclownish,sototallywithoutair.Ihadimaginedhim,Iconfess,adegreeortwonearergentility.'

`Tobesure,'saidHarriet,inamortifiedvoice,`heisnotsogenteelasrealgentlemen.'

`Ithink,Harriet,sinceyouracquaintancewithus,youhavebeenrepeatedlyinthecompanyofsomesuchveryrealgentlemen,thatyoumustyourselfbestruckwiththedifferenceinMr.Martin.AtHartfield,youhavehadverygoodspecimensofwelleducated,wellbredmen.Ishouldbesurprizedif,afterseeingthem,youcouldbeincompanywithMr.Martinagainwithoutperceivinghimtobeaveryinferiorcreature-andratherwonderingatyourselfforhavingeverthoughthimatallagreeablebefore.Donotyoubegintofeelthatnow?Werenotyoustruck?Iamsureyoumusthavebeenstruckbyhisawkwardlookandabruptmanner,andtheuncouthnessofavoicewhichIheardtobewhollyunmodulatedasIstoodhere.'

`Certainly,heisnotlikeMr.Knightley.HehasnotsuchafineairandwayofwalkingasMr.Knightley.Iseethedifferenceplainenough.ButMr.Knightleyissoveryfineaman!'

`Mr.Knightley'sairissoremarkablygoodthatitisnotfairtocompareMr.Martinwithhim.YoumightnotseeoneinahundredwithgentlemansoplainlywrittenasinMr.Knightley.Butheisnottheonlygentlemanyouhavebeenlatelyusedto.WhatsayyoutoMr.WestonandMr.Elton?CompareMr.Martinwitheitherofthem.Comparetheirmannerofcarryingthemselves;ofwalking;ofspeaking;ofbeingsilent.Youmustseethedifference.'

`Ohyes!-thereisagreatdifference.ButMr.Westonisalmostanoldman.Mr.Westonmustbebetweenfortyandfifty.'

`Whichmakeshisgoodmannersthemorevaluable.Theolderapersongrows,Harriet,themoreimportantitisthattheirmannersshouldnotbebad;themoreglaringanddisgustinganyloudness,orcoarseness,orawkwardnessbecomes.Whatispassableinyouthisdetestableinlaterage.Mr.Martinisnowawkwardandabrupt;whatwillhebeatMr.Weston'stimeoflife?'

`Thereisnosaying,indeed,'repliedHarrietrathersolemnly.

`Buttheremaybeprettygoodguessing.Hewillbeacompletelygross,vulgarfarmer,totallyinattentivetoappearances,andthinkingofnothingbutprofitandloss.'

`Willhe,indeed?Thatwillbeverybad.'

`Howmuchhisbusinessengrosseshimalreadyisveryplainfromthecircumstanceofhisforgettingtoinquireforthebookyourecommended.Hewasagreatdealtoofullofthemarkettothinkofanythingelse-whichisjustasitshouldbe,forathrivingman.Whathashetodowithbooks?AndIhavenodoubtthathewillthrive,andbeaveryrichmanintime-andhisbeingilliterateandcoarseneednotdisturbus.'

`Iwonderhedidnotrememberthebook'-wasallHarriet'sanswer,andspokenwithadegreeofgravedispleasurewhichEmmathoughtmightbesafelylefttoitself.She,therefore,saidnomoreforsometime.Hernextbeginningwas,

`Inonerespect,perhaps,Mr.Elton'smannersaresuperiortoMr.Knightley'sorMr.Weston's.Theyhavemoregentleness.Theymightbemoresafelyheldupasapattern.Thereisanopenness,aquickness,almostabluntnessinMr.Weston,whicheverybodylikesinhim,becausethereissomuchgood-humourwithit-butthatwouldnotdotobecopied.NeitherwouldMr.Knightley'sdownright,decided,commandingsortofmanner,thoughitsuitshimverywell;hisfigure,andlook,andsituationinlifeseemtoallowit;butifanyyoungmanweretosetaboutcopyinghim,hewouldnotbesufferable.Onthecontrary,IthinkayoungmanmightbeverysafelyrecommendedtotakeMr.Eltonasamodel.Mr.Eltonisgood-humoured,cheerful,obliging,andgentle.Heseemstometobegrownparticularlygentleoflate.Idonotknowwhetherhehasanydesignofingratiatinghimselfwitheitherofus,Harriet,byadditionalsoftness,butitstrikesmethathismannersaresofterthantheyusedtobe.Ifhemeansanything,itmustbetopleaseyou.DidnotItellyouwhathesaidofyoutheotherday?'

ShethenrepeatedsomewarmpersonalpraisewhichshehaddrawnfromMr.Elton,andnowdidfulljusticeto;andHarrietblushedandsmiled,andsaidshehadalwaysthoughtMr.Eltonveryagreeable.

Mr.EltonwastheverypersonfixedonbyEmmafordrivingtheyoungfarmeroutofHarriet'shead.Shethoughtitwouldbeanexcellentmatch;andonlytoopalpablydesirable,natural,andprobable,forhertohavemuchmeritinplanningit.Shefeareditwaswhateverybodyelsemustthinkofandpredict.Itwasnotlikely,however,thatanybodyshouldhaveequalledherinthedateoftheplan,asithadenteredherbrainduringtheveryfirsteveningofHarriet'scomingtoHartfield.Thelongersheconsideredit,thegreaterwashersenseofitsexpediency.Mr.Elton'ssituationwasmostsuitable,quitethegentlemanhimself,andwithoutlowconnexions;atthesametime,notofanyfamilythatcouldfairlyobjecttothedoubtfulbirthofHarriet.Hehadacomfortablehomeforher,andEmmaimaginedaverysufficientincome;forthoughthevicarageofHighburywasnotlarge,hewasknowntohavesomeindependentproperty;andshethoughtveryhighlyofhimasagood-humoured,well-meaning,respectableyoungman,withoutanydeficiencyofusefulunderstandingorknowledgeoftheworld.

ShehadalreadysatisfiedherselfthathethoughtHarrietabeautifulgirl,whichshetrusted,withsuchfrequentmeetingsatHartfield,wasfoundationenoughonhisside;andonHarriet'stherecouldbelittledoubtthattheideaofbeingpreferredbyhimwouldhavealltheusualweightandefficacy.Andhewasreallyaverypleasingyoungman,ayoungmanwhomanywomannotfastidiousmightlike.Hewasreckonedveryhandsome;hispersonmuchadmiredingeneral,thoughnotbyher,therebeingawantofeleganceoffeaturewhichshecouldnotdispensewith:-butthegirlwhocouldbegratifiedbyaRobertMartin'sridingaboutthecountrytogetwalnutsforhermightverywellbeconqueredbyMr.Elton'sadmiration.

CHAPTERV

`Idonotknowwhatyouropinionmaybe,Mrs.Weston,'saidMr.Knightley,`ofthisgreatintimacybetweenEmmaandHarrietSmith,butIthinkitabadthing.'

`Abadthing!Doyoureallythinkitabadthing?-whyso?'

`Ithinktheywillneitherofthemdotheotheranygood.'

`Yousurprizeme!EmmamustdoHarrietgood:andbysupplyingherwithanewobjectofinterest,HarrietmaybesaidtodoEmmagood.Ihavebeenseeingtheirintimacywiththegreatestpleasure.Howverydifferentlywefeel!-Notthinktheywilldoeachotheranygood!ThiswillcertainlybethebeginningofoneofourquarrelsaboutEmma,Mr.Knightley.'

`PerhapsyouthinkIamcomeonpurposetoquarrelwithyou,knowingWestontobeout,andthatyoumuststillfightyourownbattle.'

`Mr.Westonwouldundoubtedlysupportme,ifhewerehere,forhethinksexactlyasIdoonthesubject.Wewerespeakingofitonlyyesterday,andagreeinghowfortunateitwasforEmma,thatthereshouldbesuchagirlinHighburyforhertoassociatewith.Mr.Knightley,Ishallnotallowyoutobeafairjudgeinthiscase.Youaresomuchusedtolivealone,thatyoudonotknowthevalueofacompanion;and,perhapsnomancanbeagoodjudgeofthecomfortawomanfeelsinthesocietyofoneofherownsex,afterbeingusedtoitallherlife.IcanimagineyourobjectiontoHarrietSmith.SheisnotthesuperioryoungwomanwhichEmma'sfriendoughttobe.Butontheotherhand,asEmmawantstoseeherbetterinformed,itwillbeaninducementtohertoreadmoreherself.Theywillreadtogether.Shemeansit,Iknow.'

`Emmahasbeenmeaningtoreadmoreeversinceshewastwelveyearsold.Ihaveseenagreatmanylistsofherdrawing-upatvarioustimesofbooksthatshemeanttoreadregularlythrough-andverygoodliststheywere-verywellchosen,andveryneatlyarranged-sometimesalphabetically,andsometimesbysomeotherrule.Thelistshedrewupwhenonlyfourteen-Irememberthinkingitdidherjudgmentsomuchcredit,thatIpreserveditsometime;andIdaresayshemayhavemadeoutaverygoodlistnow.ButIhavedonewithexpectinganycourseofsteadyreadingfromEmma.Shewillneversubmittoanythingrequiringindustryandpatience,andasubjectionofthefancytotheunderstanding.WhereMissTaylorfailedtostimulate,ImaysafelyaffirmthatHarrietSmithwilldonothing-Younevercouldpersuadehertoreadhalfsomuchasyouwished-Youknowyoucouldnot.'

`Idaresay,'repliedMrs.Weston,smiling,`thatIthoughtsothen;-butsincewehaveparted,IcanneverrememberEmma'somittingtodoanythingIwished.'

`Thereishardlyanydesiringtorefreshsuchamemoryasthat,'-saidMr.Knightley,feelingly;andforamomentortwohehaddone.`ButI,'hesoonadded,`whohavehadnosuchcharmthrownovermysenses,muststillsee,hear,andremember.Emmaisspoiledbybeingthecleverestofherfamily.Attenyearsold,shehadthemisfortuneofbeingabletoanswerquestionswhichpuzzledhersisteratseventeen.Shewasalwaysquickandassured:Isabellaslowanddiffident.Andeversinceshewastwelve,Emmahasbeenmistressofthehouseandofyouall.Inhermothershelosttheonlypersonabletocopewithher.Sheinheritshermother'stalents,andmusthavebeenundersubjectiontoher.'

`Ishouldhavebeensorry,Mr.Knightley,tobedependentonyourrecommendation,hadIquittedMr.Woodhouse'sfamilyandwantedanothersituation;Idonotthinkyouwouldhavespokenagoodwordformetoanybody.IamsureyoualwaysthoughtmeunfitfortheofficeIheld.'

`Yes,'saidhe,smiling.`Youarebetterplacedhere;veryfitforawife,butnotatallforagoverness.ButyouwerepreparingyourselftobeanexcellentwifeallthetimeyouwereatHartfield.YoumightnotgiveEmmasuchacompleteeducationasyourpowerswouldseemtopromise;butyouwerereceivingaverygoodeducationfromher,ontheverymaterialmatrimonialpointofsubmittingyourownwill,anddoingasyouwerebid;andifWestonhadaskedmetorecommendhimawife,IshouldcertainlyhavenamedMissTaylor.'

`Thankyou.TherewillbeverylittlemeritinmakingagoodwifetosuchamanasMr.Weston.'

`Why,toownthetruth,Iamafraidyouareratherthrownaway,andthatwitheverydispositiontobear,therewillbenothingtobeborne.Wewillnotdespair,however.Westonmaygrowcrossfromthewantonnessofcomfort,orhissonmayplaguehim.'

`Ihopenotthat-Itisnotlikely.No,Mr.Knightley,donotforetellvexationfromthatquarter.'

`NotI,indeed.Ionlynamepossibilities.IdonotpretendtoEmma'sgeniusforforetellingandguessing.Ihope,withallmyheart,theyoungmanmaybeaWestoninmerit,andaChurchillinfortune-ButHarrietSmith-IhavenothalfdoneaboutHarrietSmith.IthinkhertheveryworstsortofcompanionthatEmmacouldpossiblyhave.Sheknowsnothingherself,andlooksuponEmmaasknowingeverything.Sheisaflattererinallherways;andsomuchtheworse,becauseundesigned.Herignoranceishourlyflattery.HowcanEmmaimagineshehasanythingtolearnherself,whileHarrietispresentingsuchadelightfulinferiority?AndasforHarriet,Iwillventuretosaythatshecannotgainbytheacquaintance.Hartfieldwillonlyputheroutofconceitwithalltheotherplacesshebelongsto.Shewillgrowjustrefinedenoughtobeuncomfortablewiththoseamongwhombirthandcircumstanceshaveplacedherhome.IammuchmistakenifEmma'sdoctrinesgiveanystrengthofmind,ortendatalltomakeagirladaptherselfrationallytothevarietiesofhersituationinlife-Theyonlygivealittlepolish.'

`IeitherdependmoreuponEmma'sgoodsensethanyoudo,orammoreanxiousforherpresentcomfort;forIcannotlamenttheacquaintance.Howwellshelookedlastnight!'

`Oh!youwouldrathertalkofherpersonthanhermind,wouldyou?Verywell;IshallnotattempttodenyEmma'sbeingpretty.'

`Pretty!saybeautifulrather.CanyouimagineanythingnearerperfectbeautythanEmmaaltogether-faceandfigure?'

`IdonotknowwhatIcouldimagine,butIconfessthatIhaveseldomseenafaceorfiguremorepleasingtomethanhers.ButIamapartialoldfriend.'

`Suchaneye!-thetruehazleeye-andsobrilliant!regularfeatures,opencountenance,withacomplexion!oh!whatabloomoffullhealth,andsuchaprettyheightandsize;suchafirmanduprightfigure!Thereishealth,notmerelyinherbloom,butinherair,herhead,herglance.Onehearssometimesofachildbeing``thepictureofhealth;''now,Emmaalwaysgivesmetheideaofbeingthecompletepictureofgrown-uphealth.Sheislovelinessitself.Mr.Knightley,isnotshe?'

`Ihavenotafaulttofindwithherperson,'hereplied.`Ithinkherallyoudescribe.Ilovetolookather;andIwilladdthispraise,thatIdonotthinkherpersonallyvain.Consideringhowveryhandsomesheis,sheappearstobelittleoccupiedwithit;hervanityliesanotherway.Mrs.Weston,IamnottobetalkedoutofmydislikeofHarrietSmith,ormydreadofitsdoingthembothharm.'

`AndI,Mr.Knightley,amequallystoutinmyconfidenceofitsnotdoingthemanyharm.WithalldearEmma'slittlefaults,sheisanexcellentcreature.Whereshallweseeabetterdaughter,orakindersister,oratruerfriend?No,no;shehasqualitieswhichmaybetrusted;shewillneverleadanyonereallywrong;shewillmakenolastingblunder;whereEmmaerrsonce,sheisintherightahundredtimes.'

`Verywell;Iwillnotplagueyouanymore.Emmashallbeanangel,andIwillkeepmyspleentomyselftillChristmasbringsJohnandIsabella.JohnlovesEmmawithareasonableandthereforenotablindaffection,andIsabellaalwaysthinksashedoes;exceptwhenheisnotquitefrightenedenoughaboutthechildren.Iamsureofhavingtheiropinionswithme.'

`Iknowthatyouallloveherreallytoowelltobeunjustorunkind;butexcuseme,Mr.Knightley,ifItaketheliberty(Iconsidermyself,youknow,ashavingsomewhatoftheprivilegeofspeechthatEmma'smothermighthavehad)thelibertyofhintingthatIdonotthinkanypossiblegoodcanarisefromHarrietSmith'sintimacybeingmadeamatterofmuchdiscussionamongyou.Prayexcuseme;butsupposinganylittleinconveniencemaybeapprehendedfromtheintimacy,itcannotbeexpectedthatEmma,accountabletonobodybutherfather,whoperfectlyapprovestheacquaintance,shouldputanendtoit,solongasitisasourceofpleasuretoherself.Ithasbeensomanyyearsmyprovincetogiveadvice,thatyoucannotbesurprized,Mr.Knightley,atthislittleremainsofoffice.'

`Notatall,'criedhe;`Iammuchobligedtoyouforit.Itisverygoodadvice,anditshallhaveabetterfatethanyouradvicehasoftenfound;foritshallbeattendedto.'

`Mrs.JohnKnightleyiseasilyalarmed,andmightbemadeunhappyabouthersister.'

`Besatisfied,'saidhe,`Iwillnotraiseanyoutcry.Iwillkeepmyill-humourtomyself.IhaveaverysincereinterestinEmma.Isabelladoesnotseemmoremysister;hasneverexcitedagreaterinterest;perhapshardlysogreat.Thereisananxiety,acuriosityinwhatonefeelsforEmma.Iwonderwhatwillbecomeofher!'

`SodoI,'saidMrs.Westongently,`verymuch.'

`Shealwaysdeclaresshewillnevermarry,which,ofcourse,meansjustnothingatall.ButIhavenoideathatshehasyeteverseenamanshecaredfor.Itwouldnotbeabadthingforhertobeverymuchinlovewithaproperobject.IshouldliketoseeEmmainlove,andinsomedoubtofareturn;itwoulddohergood.Butthereisnobodyhereaboutstoattachher;andshegoessoseldomfromhome.'

`Theredoes,indeed,seemaslittletotempthertobreakherresolutionatpresent,'saidMrs.Weston,`ascanwellbe;andwhilesheissohappyatHartfield,IcannotwishhertobeforminganyattachmentwhichwouldbecreatingsuchdifficultiesonpoorMr.Woodhouse'saccount.IdonotrecommendmatrimonyatpresenttoEmma,thoughImeannoslighttothestate,Iassureyou.'

PartofhermeaningwastoconcealsomefavouritethoughtsofherownandMr.Weston'sonthesubject,asmuchaspossible.TherewerewishesatRandallsrespectingEmma'sdestiny,butitwasnotdesirabletohavethemsuspected;andthequiettransitionwhichMr.Knightleysoonafterwardsmadeto`WhatdoesWestonthinkoftheweather;shallwehaverain?'convincedherthathehadnothingmoretosayorsurmiseaboutHartfield.

CHAPTERVI

EmmacouldnotfeeladoubtofhavinggivenHarriet'sfancyaproperdirectionandraisedthegratitudeofheryoungvanitytoaverygoodpurpose,forshefoundherdecidedlymoresensiblethanbeforeofMr.Elton'sbeingaremarkablyhandsomeman,withmostagreeablemanners;andasshehadnohesitationinfollowinguptheassuranceofhisadmirationbyagreeablehints,shewassoonprettyconfidentofcreatingasmuchlikingonHarriet'sside,astherecouldbeanyoccasionfor.ShewasquiteconvincedofMr.Elton'sbeinginthefairestwayoffallinginlove,ifnotinlovealready.Shehadnoscruplewithregardtohim.HetalkedofHarriet,andpraisedhersowarmly,thatshecouldnotsupposeanythingwantingwhichalittletimewouldnotadd.HisperceptionofthestrikingimprovementofHarriet'smanner,sinceherintroductionatHartfield,wasnotoneoftheleastagreeableproofsofhisgrowingattachment.

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