`YouhavegivenMissSmithallthatsherequired,'saidhe;`youhavemadehergracefulandeasy.Shewasabeautifulcreaturewhenshecametoyou,but,inmyopinion,theattractionsyouhaveaddedareinfinitelysuperiortowhatshereceivedfromnature.'

`IamgladyouthinkIhavebeenusefultoher;butHarrietonlywanteddrawingout,andreceivingafew,veryfewhints.Shehadallthenaturalgraceofsweetnessoftemperandartlessnessinherself.Ihavedoneverylittle.'

`Ifitwereadmissibletocontradictalady,'saidthegallantMr.Elton-

`Ihaveperhapsgivenheralittlemoredecisionofcharacter,havetaughthertothinkonpointswhichhadnotfalleninherwaybefore.'

`Exactlyso;thatiswhatprincipallystrikesme.Somuchsuperaddeddecisionofcharacter!Skilfulhasbeenthehand!'

`Greathasbeenthepleasure,Iamsure.Inevermetwithadispositionmoretrulyamiable.'

`Ihavenodoubtofit.'Anditwasspokenwithasortofsighinganimation,whichhadavastdealofthelover.Shewasnotlesspleasedanotherdaywiththemannerinwhichhesecondedasuddenwishofhers,tohaveHarriet'spicture.

`Didyoueverhaveyourlikenesstaken,Harriet?'saidshe:`didyoueversitforyourpicture?'

Harrietwasonthepointofleavingtheroom,andonlystopttosay,withaveryinterestingna?veté,

`Oh!dear,no,never.'

Nosoonerwassheoutofsight,thanEmmaexclaimed,

`Whatanexquisitepossessionagoodpictureofherwouldbe!Iwouldgiveanymoneyforit.Ialmostlongtoattemptherlikenessmyself.YoudonotknowitIdaresay,buttwoorthreeyearsagoIhadagreatpassionfortakinglikenesses,andattemptedseveralofmyfriends,andwasthoughttohaveatolerableeyeingeneral.Butfromonecauseoranother,Igaveitupindisgust.Butreally,Icouldalmostventure,ifHarrietwouldsittome.Itwouldbesuchadelighttohaveherpicture!'

`Letmeentreatyou,'criedMr.Elton;`itwouldindeedbeadelight!Letmeentreatyou,MissWoodhouse,toexercisesocharmingatalentinfavourofyourfriend.Iknowwhatyourdrawingsare.Howcouldyousupposemeignorant?Isnotthisroomrichinspecimensofyourlandscapesandflowers;andhasnotMrs.Westonsomeinimitablefigure-piecesinherdrawing-room,atRandalls?'

Yes,goodman!-thoughtEmma-butwhathasallthattodowithtakinglikenesses?Youknownothingofdrawing.Don'tpretendtobeinrapturesaboutmine.KeepyourrapturesforHarriet'sface.`Well,ifyougivemesuchkindencouragement,Mr.Elton,IbelieveIshalltrywhatIcando.Harriet'sfeaturesareverydelicate,whichmakesalikenessdifficult;andyetthereisapeculiarityintheshapeoftheeyeandthelinesaboutthemouthwhichoneoughttocatch.'

`Exactlyso-Theshapeoftheeyeandthelinesaboutthemouth-Ihavenotadoubtofyoursuccess.Pray,prayattemptit.Asyouwilldoit,itwillindeed,touseyourownwords,beanexquisitepossession.'

`ButIamafraid,Mr.Elton,Harrietwillnotliketosit.Shethinkssolittleofherownbeauty.Didnotyouobservehermannerofansweringme?Howcompletelyitmeant,``whyshouldmypicturebedrawn?'''

`Oh!yes,Iobservedit,Iassureyou.Itwasnotlostonme.ButstillIcannotimagineshewouldnotbepersuaded.'

Harrietwassoonbackagain,andtheproposalalmostimmediatelymade;andshehadnoscrupleswhichcouldstandmanyminutesagainsttheearnestpressingofboththeothers.Emmawishedtogotoworkdirectly,andthereforeproducedtheportfoliocontaininghervariousattemptsatportraits,fornotoneofthemhadeverbeenfinished,thattheymightdecidetogetheronthebestsizeforHarriet.Hermanybeginningsweredisplayed.Miniatures,half-lengths,whole-lengths,pencil,crayon,andwater-colourshadbeenalltriedinturn.Shehadalwayswantedtodoeverything,andhadmademoreprogressbothindrawingandmusicthanmanymighthavedonewithsolittlelabourasshewouldeversubmitto.Sheplayedandsang;-anddrewinalmosteverystyle;butsteadinesshadalwaysbeenwanting;andinnothinghadsheapproachedthedegreeofexcellencewhichshewouldhavebeengladtocommand,andoughtnottohavefailedof.Shewasnotmuchdeceivedastoherownskilleitherasanartistoramusician,butshewasnotunwillingtohaveothersdeceived,orsorrytoknowherreputationforaccomplishmentoftenhigherthanitdeserved.

Therewasmeritineverydrawing-intheleastfinished,perhapsthemost;herstylewasspirited;buthadtherebeenmuchless,orhadtherebeententimesmore,thedelightandadmirationofhertwocompanionswouldhavebeenthesame.Theywerebothinecstasies.Alikenesspleaseseverybody;andMissWoodhouse'sperformancesmustbecapital.

`Nogreatvarietyoffacesforyou,'saidEmma.`Ihadonlymyownfamilytostudyfrom.Thereismyfather-anotherofmyfather-buttheideaofsittingforhispicturemadehimsonervous,thatIcouldonlytakehimbystealth;neitherofthemveryliketherefore.Mrs.Westonagain,andagain,andagain,yousee.DearMrs.Weston!alwaysmykindestfriendoneveryoccasion.ShewouldsitwheneverIaskedher.Thereismysister;andreallyquiteherownlittleelegantfigure!-andthefacenotunlike.Ishouldhavemadeagoodlikenessofher,ifshewouldhavesatlonger,butshewasinsuchahurrytohavemedrawherfourchildrenthatshewouldnotbequiet.Then,herecomeallmyattemptsatthreeofthosefourchildren;-theretheyare,HenryandJohnandBella,fromoneendofthesheettotheother,andanyoneofthemmightdoforanyoneoftherest.ShewassoeagertohavethemdrawnthatIcouldnotrefuse;butthereisnomakingchildrenofthreeorfouryearsoldstandstillyouknow;norcanitbeveryeasytotakeanylikenessofthem,beyondtheairandcomplexion,unlesstheyarecoarserfeaturedthananyofmama'schildreneverwere.Hereismysketchofthefourth,whowasababy.Itookhimashewassleepingonthesofa,anditisasstrongalikenessofhiscockadeasyouwouldwishtosee.Hehadnestleddownhisheadmostconveniently.That'sverylike.IamratherproudoflittleGeorge.Thecornerofthesofaisverygood.Thenhereismylast,'-unclosingaprettysketchofagentlemaninsmallsize,whole-length-`mylastandmybest-mybrother,Mr.JohnKnightley-Thisdidnotwantmuchofbeingfinished,whenIputitawayinapet,andvowedIwouldnevertakeanotherlikeness.Icouldnothelpbeingprovoked;forafterallmypains,andwhenIhadreallymadeaverygoodlikenessofit-(Mrs.WestonandIwerequiteagreedinthinkingitverylike)-onlytoohandsome-tooflattering-butthatwasafaultontherightside-afterallthis,camepoordearIsabella'scoldapprobationof-`Yes,itwasalittlelike-buttobesureitdidnotdohimjustice.'Wehadhadagreatdealoftroubleinpersuadinghimtositatall.Itwasmadeagreatfavourof;andaltogetheritwasmorethanIcouldbear;andsoIneverwouldfinishit,tohaveitapologisedoverasanunfavourablelikeness,toeverymorningvisitorinBrunswickSquare;-and,asIsaid,Ididthenforsweareverdrawinganybodyagain.ButforHarriet'ssake,orratherformyown,andastherearenohusbandsandwivesinthecaseatpresent,Iwillbreakmyresolutionnow.'

Mr.Eltonseemedveryproperlystruckanddelightedbytheidea,andwasrepeating,`Nohusbandsandwivesinthecaseatpresentindeed,asyouobserve.Exactlyso.Nohusbandsandwives,'withsointerestingaconsciousness,thatEmmabegantoconsiderwhethershehadnotbetterleavethemtogetheratonce.Butasshewantedtobedrawing,thedeclarationmustwaitalittlelonger.

Shehadsoonfixedonthesizeandsortofportrait.Itwastobeawhole-lengthinwater-colours,likeMr.JohnKnightley's,andwasdestined,ifshecouldpleaseherself,toholdaveryhonourablestationoverthemantelpiece.

Thesittingbegan;andHarriet,smilingandblushing,andafraidofnotkeepingherattitudeandcountenance,presentedaverysweetmixtureofyouthfulexpressiontothesteadyeyesoftheartist.Buttherewasnodoinganything,withMr.Eltonfidgetingbehindherandwatchingeverytouch.Shegavehimcreditforstationinghimselfwherehemightgazeandgazeagainwithoutoffence;butwasreallyobligedtoputanendtoit,andrequesthimtoplacehimselfelsewhere.Itthenoccurredtohertoemployhiminreading.

`Ifhewouldbesogoodastoreadtothem,itwouldbeakindnessindeed!Itwouldamuseawaythedifficultiesofherpart,andlessentheirksomenessofMissSmith's.'

Mr.Eltonwasonlytoohappy.Harrietlistened,andEmmadrewinpeace.Shemustallowhimtobestillfrequentlycomingtolook;anythinglesswouldcertainlyhavebeentoolittleinalover;andhewasreadyatthesmallestintermissionofthepencil,tojumpupandseetheprogress,andbecharmed-Therewasnobeingdispleasedwithsuchanencourager,forhisadmirationmadehimdiscernalikenessalmostbeforeitwaspossible.Shecouldnotrespecthiseye,buthisloveandhiscomplaisancewereunexceptionable.

Thesittingwasaltogetherverysatisfactory;shewasquiteenoughpleasedwiththefirstday'ssketchtowishtogoon.Therewasnowantoflikeness,shehadbeenfortunateintheattitude,andasshemeanttothrowinalittleimprovementtothefigure,togivealittlemoreheight,andconsiderablymoreelegance,shehadgreatconfidenceofitsbeingineverywayaprettydrawingatlast,andofitsfillingitsdestinedplacewithcredittothemboth-astandingmemorialofthebeautyofone,theskilloftheother,andthefriendshipofboth;withasmanyotheragreeableassociationsasMr.Elton'sverypromisingattachmentwaslikelytoadd.

Harrietwastositagainthenextday;andMr.Elton,justasheought,entreatedforthepermissionofattendingandreadingtothemagain.

`Byallmeans.Weshallbemosthappytoconsideryouasoneoftheparty.'

Thesamecivilitiesandcourtesies,thesamesuccessandsatisfaction,tookplaceonthemorrow,andaccompaniedthewholeprogressofthepicture,whichwasrapidandhappy.Everybodywhosawitwaspleased,butMr.Eltonwasincontinualraptures,anddefendeditthrougheverycriticism.

`MissWoodhousehasgivenherfriendtheonlybeautyshewanted,'-observedMrs.Westontohim-notintheleastsuspectingthatshewasaddressingalover-`Theexpressionoftheeyeismostcorrect,butMissSmithhasnotthoseeyebrowsandeyelashes.Itisthefaultofherfacethatshehasthemnot.'

`Doyouthinkso?'repliedhe.`Icannotagreewithyou.Itappearstomeamostperfectresemblanceineveryfeature.Ineversawsuchalikenessinmylife.Wemustallowfortheeffectofshade,youknow.'

`Youhavemadehertootall,Emma,'saidMr.Knightley.

Emmaknewthatshehad,butwouldnotownit;andMr.Eltonwarmlyadded,

`Ohno!certainlynottootall;notintheleasttootall.Consider,sheissittingdown-whichnaturallypresentsadifferent-whichinshortgivesexactlytheidea-andtheproportionsmustbepreserved,youknow.Proportions,fore-shortening-Ohno!itgivesoneexactlytheideaofsuchaheightasMissSmith's.Exactlysoindeed!'

`Itisverypretty,'saidMr.Woodhouse.`Soprettilydone!Justasyourdrawingsalwaysare,mydear.Idonotknowanybodywhodrawssowellasyoudo.TheonlythingIdonotthoroughlylikeis,thatsheseemstobesittingoutofdoors,withonlyalittleshawloverhershoulders-anditmakesonethinkshemustcatchcold.'

`But,mydearpapa,itissupposedtobesummer;awarmdayinsummer.Lookatthetree.'

`Butitisneversafetositoutofdoors,mydear.'

`You,sir,maysayanything,'criedMr.Elton,`butImustconfessthatIregarditasamosthappythought,theplacingofMissSmithoutofdoors;andthetreeistouchedwithsuchinimitablespirit!Anyothersituationwouldhavebeenmuchlessincharacter.Thena?vetéofMissSmith'smanners-andaltogether-Oh,itismostadmirable!Icannotkeepmyeyesfromit.Ineversawsuchalikeness.'

Thenextthingwantedwastogetthepictureframed;andherewereafewdifficulties.Itmustbedonedirectly;itmustbedoneinLondon;theordermustgothroughthehandsofsomeintelligentpersonwhosetastecouldbedependedon;andIsabella,theusualdoerofallcommissions,mustnotbeappliedto,becauseitwasDecember,andMr.WoodhousecouldnotbeartheideaofherstirringoutofherhouseinthefogsofDecember.ButnosoonerwasthedistressknowntoMr.Elton,thanitwasremoved.Hisgallantrywasalwaysonthealert.`Mighthebetrustedwiththecommission,whatinfinitepleasureshouldhehaveinexecutingit!hecouldridetoLondonatanytime.Itwasimpossibletosayhowmuchheshouldbegratifiedbybeingemployedonsuchanerrand.'

`Hewastoogood!-shecouldnotendurethethought!-shewouldnotgivehimsuchatroublesomeofficefortheworld,'-broughtonthedesiredrepetitionofentreatiesandassurances,-andaveryfewminutessettledthebusiness.

Mr.EltonwastotakethedrawingtoLondon,chusetheframe,andgivethedirections;andEmmathoughtshecouldsopackitastoensureitssafetywithoutmuchincommodinghim,whileheseemedmostlyfearfulofnotbeingincommodedenough.

`Whatapreciousdeposit!'saidhewithatendersigh,ashereceivedit.

`Thismanisalmosttoogallanttobeinlove,'thoughtEmma.`Ishouldsayso,butthatIsupposetheremaybeahundreddifferentwaysofbeinginlove.Heisanexcellentyoungman,andwillsuitHarrietexactly;itwillbean``Exactlyso,''ashesayshimself;buthedoessighandlanguish,andstudyforcomplimentsrathermorethanIcouldendureasaprincipal.Icomeinforaprettygoodshareasasecond.ButitishisgratitudeonHarriet'saccount.'

CHAPTERVII

TheverydayofMr.Elton'sgoingtoLondonproducedafreshoccasionforEmma'sservicestowardsherfriend.HarriethadbeenatHartfield,asusual,soonafterbreakfast;and,afteratime,hadgonehometoreturnagaintodinner:shereturned,andsoonerthanhadbeentalkedof,andwithanagitated,hurriedlook,announcingsomethingextraordinarytohavehappenedwhichshewaslongingtotell.Halfaminutebroughtitallout.Shehadheard,assoonasshegotbacktoMrs.Goddard's,thatMr.Martinhadbeenthereanhourbefore,andfindingshewasnotathome,norparticularlyexpected,hadleftalittleparcelforherfromoneofhissisters,andgoneaway;andonopeningthisparcel,shehadactuallyfound,besidesthetwosongswhichshehadlentElizabethtocopy,alettertoherself;andthisletterwasfromhim,fromMr.Martin,andcontainedadirectproposalofmarriage.`Whocouldhavethoughtit?Shewassosurprizedshedidnotknowwhattodo.Yes,quiteaproposalofmarriage;andaverygoodletter,atleastshethoughtso.Andhewroteasifhereallylovedherverymuch-butshedidnotknow-andso,shewascomeasfastasshecouldtoaskMissWoodhousewhatsheshoulddo-`Emmawashalf-ashamedofherfriendforseemingsopleasedandsodoubtful.

`Uponmyword,'shecried,`theyoungmanisdeterminednottoloseanythingforwantofasking.Hewillconnecthimselfwellifhecan.'

`Willyoureadtheletter?'criedHarriet.`Praydo.I'dratheryouwould.'

Emmawasnotsorrytobepressed.Sheread,andwassurprized.Thestyleoftheletterwasmuchaboveherexpectation.Therewerenotmerelynogrammaticalerrors,butasacompositionitwouldnothavedisgracedagentleman;thelanguage,thoughplain,wasstrongandunaffected,andthesentimentsitconveyedverymuchtothecreditofthewriter.Itwasshort,butexpressedgoodsense,warmattachment,liberality,propriety,evendelicacyoffeeling.Shepausedoverit,whileHarrietstoodanxiouslywatchingforheropinion,witha`Well,well,'andwasatlastforcedtoadd,`Isitagoodletter?orisittooshort?'

`Yes,indeed,averygoodletter,'repliedEmmaratherslowly-`sogoodaletter,Harriet,thateverythingconsidered,Ithinkoneofhissistersmusthavehelpedhim.IcanhardlyimaginetheyoungmanwhomIsawtalkingwithyoutheotherdaycouldexpresshimselfsowell,ifleftquitetohisownpowers,andyetitisnotthestyleofawoman;no,certainly,itistoostrongandconcise;notdiffuseenoughforawoman.Nodoubtheisasensibleman,andIsupposemayhaveanaturaltalentfor-thinksstronglyandclearly-andwhenhetakesapeninhand,histhoughtsnaturallyfindproperwords.Itissowithsomemen.Yes,Iunderstandthesortofmind.Vigorous,decided,withsentimentstoacertainpoint,notcoarse.Abetterwrittenletter,Harriet(returningit,)thanIhadexpected.'

`Well,'saidthestillwaitingHarriet;-`well-and-andwhatshallIdo?'

`Whatshallyoudo!Inwhatrespect?Doyoumeanwithregardtothisletter?'

`Yes.'

`Butwhatareyouindoubtof?Youmustansweritofcourse-andspeedily.'

`Yes.ButwhatshallIsay?DearMissWoodhouse,doadviseme.'

`Ohno,no!theletterhadmuchbetterbeallyourown.Youwillexpressyourselfveryproperly,Iamsure.Thereisnodangerofyournotbeingintelligible,whichisthefirstthing.Yourmeaningmustbeunequivocal;nodoubtsordemurs:andsuchexpressionsofgratitudeandconcernforthepainyouareinflictingasproprietyrequires,willpresentthemselvesunbiddentoyourmind,Iampersuaded.Youneednotbepromptedtowritewiththeappearanceofsorrowforhisdisappointment.'

`YouthinkIoughttorefusehimthen,'saidHarriet,lookingdown.

`Oughttorefusehim!MydearHarriet,whatdoyoumean?Areyouinanydoubtastothat?Ithought-butIbegyourpardon,perhapsIhavebeenunderamistake.Icertainlyhavebeenmisunderstandingyou,ifyoufeelindoubtastothepurportofyouranswer.Ihadimaginedyouwereconsultingmeonlyastothewordingofit.'

Harrietwassilent.Withalittlereserveofmanner,Emmacontinued:

`Youmeantoreturnafavourableanswer,Icollect.'

`No,Idonot;thatis,Idonotmean-WhatshallIdo?Whatwouldyouadvisemetodo?Pray,dearMissWoodhouse,tellmewhatIoughttodo.'

`Ishallnotgiveyouanyadvice,Harriet.Iwillhavenothingtodowithit.Thisisapointwhichyoumustsettlewithyourfeelings.'

`Ihadnonotionthathelikedmesoverymuch,'saidHarriet,contemplatingtheletter.ForalittlewhileEmmaperseveredinhersilence;butbeginningtoapprehendthebewitchingflatteryofthatlettermightbetoopowerful,shethoughtitbesttosay,

`Ilayitdownasageneralrule,Harriet,thatifawomandoubtsastowhethersheshouldacceptamanornot,shecertainlyoughttorefusehim.Ifshecanhesitateasto``Yes,''sheoughttosay``No''directly.Itisnotastatetobesafelyenteredintowithdoubtfulfeelings,withhalfaheart.Ithoughtitmydutyasafriend,andolderthanyourself,tosaythusmuchtoyou.ButdonotimaginethatIwanttoinfluenceyou.'

`Oh!no,Iamsureyouareagreatdealtookindto-butifyouwouldjustadvisemewhatIhadbestdo-No,no,Idonotmeanthat-Asyousay,one'smindoughttobequitemadeup-Oneshouldnotbehesitating-Itisaveryseriousthing-Itwillbesafertosay``No,''perhaps-DoyouthinkIhadbettersay``No?'''

`Notfortheworld,'saidEmma,smilinggraciously,`wouldIadviseyoueitherway.Youmustbethebestjudgeofyourownhappiness.IfyoupreferMr.Martintoeveryotherperson;ifyouthinkhimthemostagreeablemanyouhaveeverbeenincompanywith,whyshouldyouhesitate?Youblush,Harriet-Doesanybodyelseoccurtoyouatthismomentundersuchadefinition?Harriet,Harriet,donotdeceiveyourself;donotberunawaywithbygratitudeandcompassion.Atthismomentwhomareyouthinkingof?'

Thesymptomswerefavourable-Insteadofanswering,Harrietturnedawayconfused,andstoodthoughtfullybythefire;andthoughtheletterwasstillinherhand,itwasnowmechanicallytwistedaboutwithoutregard.Emmawaitedtheresultwithimpatience,butnotwithoutstronghopes.Atlast,withsomehesitation,Harrietsaid-

`MissWoodhouse,asyouwillnotgivemeyouropinion,ImustdoaswellasIcanbymyself;andIhavenowquitedetermined,andreallyalmostmadeupmymind-torefuseMr.Martin.DoyouthinkIamright?'

`Perfectly,perfectlyright,mydearestHarriet;youaredoingjustwhatyouought.WhileyouwereatallinsuspenseIkeptmyfeelingstomyself,butnowthatyouaresocompletelydecidedIhavenohesitationinapproving.DearHarriet,Igivemyselfjoyofthis.Itwouldhavegrievedmetoloseyouracquaintance,whichmusthavebeentheconsequenceofyourmarryingMr.Martin.Whileyouwereinthesmallestdegreewavering,Isaidnothingaboutit,becauseIwouldnotinfluence;butitwouldhavebeenthelossofafriendtome.IcouldnothavevisitedMrs.RobertMartin,ofAbbey-MillFarm.NowIamsecureofyouforever.'

Harriethadnotsurmisedherowndanger,buttheideaofitstruckherforcibly.

`Youcouldnothavevisitedme!'shecried,lookingaghast.`No,tobesureyoucouldnot;butIneverthoughtofthatbefore.Thatwouldhavebeentoodreadful!-Whatanescape!-DearMissWoodhouse,Iwouldnotgiveupthepleasureandhonourofbeingintimatewithyouforanythingintheworld.'

`Indeed,Harriet,itwouldhavebeenaseverepangtoloseyou;butitmusthavebeen.Youwouldhavethrownyourselfoutofallgoodsociety.Imusthavegivenyouup.'

`Dearme!-HowshouldIeverhaveborneit!ItwouldhavekilledmenevertocometoHartfieldanymore!'

`Dearaffectionatecreature!-YoubanishedtoAbbey-MillFarm!-Youconfinedtothesocietyoftheilliterateandvulgarallyourlife!Iwonderhowtheyoungmancouldhavetheassurancetoaskit.Hemusthaveaprettygoodopinionofhimself.'

`Idonotthinkheisconceitedeither,ingeneral,'saidHarriet,herconscienceopposingsuchcensure;`atleast,heisverygoodnatured,andIshallalwaysfeelmuchobligedtohim,andhaveagreatregardfor-butthatisquiteadifferentthingfrom-andyouknow,thoughhemaylikeme,itdoesnotfollowthatIshould-andcertainlyImustconfessthatsincemyvisitinghereIhaveseenpeople-andifonecomestocomparethem,personandmanners,thereisnocomparisonatall,oneissoveryhandsomeandagreeable.However,IdoreallythinkMr.Martinaveryamiableyoungman,andhaveagreatopinionofhim;andhisbeingsomuchattachedtome-andhiswritingsuchaletter-butastoleavingyou,itiswhatIwouldnotdouponanyconsideration.'

`Thankyou,thankyou,myownsweetlittlefriend.Wewillnotbeparted.Awomanisnottomarryamanmerelybecausesheisasked,orbecauseheisattachedtoher,andcanwriteatolerableletter.'

`Ohno;-anditisbutashortlettertoo.'

Emmafeltthebadtasteofherfriend,butletitpasswitha`verytrue;anditwouldbeasmallconsolationtoher,fortheclownishmannerwhichmightbeoffendinghereveryhouroftheday,toknowthatherhusbandcouldwriteagoodletter.'

`Oh!yes,very.Nobodycaresforaletter;thethingis,tobealwayshappywithpleasantcompanions.Iamquitedeterminedtorefusehim.ButhowshallIdo?ThatshallIsay?'

Emmaassuredhertherewouldbenodifficultyintheanswer,andadviseditsbeingwrittendirectly,whichwasagreedto,inthehopeofherassistance;andthoughEmmacontinuedtoprotestagainstanyassistancebeingwanted,itwasinfactgivenintheformationofeverysentence.Thelookingoverhisletteragain,inreplyingtoit,hadsuchasofteningtendency,thatitwasparticularlynecessarytobraceherupwithafewdecisiveexpressions;andshewassoverymuchconcernedattheideaofmakinghimunhappy,andthoughtsomuchofwhathismotherandsisterswouldthinkandsay,andwassoanxiousthattheyshouldnotfancyherungrateful,thatEmmabelievediftheyoungmanhadcomeinherwayatthatmoment,hewouldhavebeenacceptedafterall.

Thisletter,however,waswritten,andsealed,andsent.Thebusinesswasfinished,andHarrietsafe.Shewasratherlowalltheevening,butEmmacouldallowforheramiableregrets,andsometimesrelievedthembyspeakingofherownaffection,sometimesbybringingforwardtheideaofMr.Elton.

`IshallneverbeinvitedtoAbbey-Millagain,'wassaidinratherasorrowfultone.

`Nor,ifyouwere,couldIeverbeartopartwithyou,myHarriet.YouareagreatdealtoonecessaryatHartfieldtobesparedtoAbbey-Mill.'

`AndIamsureIshouldneverwanttogothere;forIamneverhappybutatHartfield.'

Sometimeafterwardsitwas,`IthinkMrs.Goddardwouldbeverymuchsurprizedifsheknewwhathadhappened.IamsureMissNashwould-forMissNashthinksherownsisterverywellmarried,anditisonlyalinen-draper.'

`Oneshouldbesorrytoseegreaterprideorrefinementintheteacherofaschool,Harriet.IdaresayMissNashwouldenvyyousuchanopportunityasthisofbeingmarried.Eventhisconquestwouldappearvaluableinhereyes.Astoanythingsuperiorforyou,Isupposesheisquiteinthedark.Theattentionsofacertainpersoncanhardlybeamongthetittle-tattleofHighburyyet.HithertoIfancyyouandIaretheonlypeopletowhomhislooksandmannershaveexplainedthemselves.'

Harrietblushedandsmiled,andsaidsomethingaboutwonderingthatpeopleshouldlikehersomuch.TheideaofMr.Eltonwascertainlycheering;butstill,afteratime,shewastender-heartedagaintowardstherejectedMr.Martin.

`Nowhehasgotmyletter,'saidshesoftly.`Iwonderwhattheyarealldoing-whetherhissistersknow-ifheisunhappy,theywillbeunhappytoo.Ihopehewillnotminditsoverymuch.'

`Letusthinkofthoseamongourabsentfriendswhoaremorecheerfullyemployed,'criedEmma.`Atthismoment,perhaps,Mr.Eltonisshewingyourpicturetohismotherandsisters,tellinghowmuchmorebeautifulistheoriginal,andafterbeingaskedforitfiveorsixtimes,allowingthemtohearyourname,yourowndearname.'

`Mypicture!-ButhehasleftmypictureinBond-street.'

`Hasheso!-ThenIknownothingofMr.Elton.No,mydearlittlemodestHarriet,dependuponitthepicturewillnotbeinBond-streettilljustbeforehemountshishorseto-morrow.Itishiscompanionallthisevening,hissolace,hisdelight.Itopenshisdesignstohisfamily,itintroducesyouamongthem,itdiffusesthroughthepartythosepleasantestfeelingsofournature,eagercuriosityandwarmprepossession.Howcheerful,howanimated,howsuspicious,howbusytheirimaginationsallare!'

Harrietsmiledagain,andhersmilesgrewstronger.

CHAPTERVIII

HarrietsleptatHartfieldthatnight.Forsomeweekspastshehadbeenspendingmorethanhalfhertimethere,andgraduallygettingtohaveabed-roomappropriatedtoherself;andEmmajudgeditbestineveryrespect,safestandkindest,tokeepherwiththemasmuchaspossiblejustatpresent.ShewasobligedtogothenextmorningforanhourortwotoMrs.Goddard's,butitwasthentobesettledthatsheshouldreturntoHartfield,tomakearegularvisitofsomedays.

Whileshewasgone,Mr.Knightleycalled,andsatsometimewithMr.WoodhouseandEmma,tillMr.Woodhouse,whohadpreviouslymadeuphismindtowalkout,waspersuadedbyhisdaughternottodeferit,andwasinducedbytheentreatiesofboth,thoughagainstthescruplesofhisowncivility,toleaveMr.Knightleyforthatpurpose.Mr.Knightley,whohadnothingofceremonyabouthim,wasofferingbyhisshort,decidedanswers,anamusingcontrasttotheprotractedapologiesandcivilhesitationsoftheother.

`Well,Ibelieve,ifyouwillexcuseme,Mr.Knightley,ifyouwillnotconsidermeasdoingaveryrudething,IshalltakeEmma'sadviceandgooutforaquarterofanhour.Asthesunisout,IbelieveIhadbettertakemythreeturnswhileIcan.Itreatyouwithoutceremony,Mr.Knightley.Weinvalidsthinkweareprivilegedpeople.'

`Mydearsir,donotmakeastrangerofme.'

`Ileaveanexcellentsubstituteinmydaughter.Emmawillbehappytoentertainyou.AndthereforeIthinkIwillbegyourexcuseandtakemythreeturns-mywinterwalk.'

`Youcannotdobetter,sir.'

`Iwouldaskforthepleasureofyourcompany,Mr.Knightley,butIamaveryslowwalker,andmypacewouldbetedioustoyou;and,besides,youhaveanotherlongwalkbeforeyou,toDonwellAbbey.'

`Thankyou,sir,thankyou;Iamgoingthismomentmyself;andIthinkthesooneryougothebetter.Iwillfetchyourgreatcoatandopenthegardendoorforyou.'

Mr.Woodhouseatlastwasoff;butMr.Knightley,insteadofbeingimmediatelyofflikewise,satdownagain,seeminglyinclinedformorechat.HebeganspeakingofHarriet,andspeakingofherwithmorevoluntarypraisethanEmmahadeverheardbefore.

`Icannotrateherbeautyasyoudo,'saidhe;`butsheisaprettylittlecreature,andIaminclinedtothinkverywellofherdisposition.Hercharacterdependsuponthosesheiswith;butingoodhandsshewillturnoutavaluablewoman.'

`Iamgladyouthinkso;andthegoodhands,Ihope,maynotbewanting.'

`Come,'saidhe,`youareanxiousforacompliment,soIwilltellyouthatyouhaveimprovedher.Youhavecuredherofherschool-girl'sgiggle;shereallydoesyoucredit.'

`Thankyou.IshouldbemortifiedindeedifIdidnotbelieveIhadbeenofsomeuse;butitisnoteverybodywhowillbestowpraisewheretheymay.Youdonotoftenoverpowermewithit.'

`Youareexpectingheragain,yousay,thismorning?'

`Almosteverymoment.Shehasbeengonelongeralreadythansheintended.'

`Somethinghashappenedtodelayher;somevisitorsperhaps.'

`Highburygossips!-Tiresomewretches!'

`Harrietmaynotconsidereverybodytiresomethatyouwould.'

Emmaknewthiswastootrueforcontradiction,andthereforesaidnothing.Hepresentlyadded,withasmile,

`Idonotpretendtofixontimesorplaces,butImusttellyouthatIhavegoodreasontobelieveyourlittlefriendwillsoonhearofsomethingtoheradvantage.'

`Indeed!howso?ofwhatsort?'

`Averyserioussort,Iassureyou;'stillsmiling.

`Veryserious!Icanthinkofbutonething-Whoisinlovewithher?Whomakesyoutheirconfidant?'

EmmawasmorethanhalfinhopesofMr.Elton'shavingdroptahint.Mr.Knightleywasasortofgeneralfriendandadviser,andsheknewMr.Eltonlookeduptohim.

`Ihavereasontothink,'hereplied,`thatHarrietSmithwillsoonhaveanofferofmarriage,andfromamostunexceptionablequarter:-RobertMartinistheman.HervisittoAbbey-Mill,thissummer,seemstohavedonehisbusiness.Heisdesperatelyinloveandmeanstomarryher.'

`Heisveryobliging,'saidEmma;`butishesurethatHarrietmeanstomarryhim?'

`Well,well,meanstomakeheranofferthen.Willthatdo?HecametotheAbbeytwoeveningsago,onpurposetoconsultmeaboutit.HeknowsIhaveathoroughregardforhimandallhisfamily,and,Ibelieve,considersmeasoneofhisbestfriends.HecametoaskmewhetherIthoughtitwouldbeimprudentinhimtosettlesoearly;whetherIthoughthertooyoung:inshort,whetherIapprovedhischoicealtogether;havingsomeapprehensionperhapsofherbeingconsidered(especiallysinceyourmakingsomuchofher)asinalineofsocietyabovehim.Iwasverymuchpleasedwithallthathesaid.IneverhearbettersensefromanyonethanRobertMartin.Healwaysspeakstothepurpose;open,straightforward,andverywelljudging.Hetoldmeeverything;hiscircumstancesandplans,andwhattheyallproposeddoingintheeventofhismarriage.Heisanexcellentyoungman,bothassonandbrother.Ihadnohesitationinadvisinghimtomarry.Heprovedtomethathecouldaffordit;andthatbeingthecase,Iwasconvincedhecouldnotdobetter.Ipraisedthefairladytoo,andaltogethersenthimawayveryhappy.Ifhehadneveresteemedmyopinionbefore,hewouldhavethoughthighlyofmethen;and,Idaresay,leftthehousethinkingmethebestfriendandcounsellormaneverhad.Thishappenedthenightbeforelast.Now,aswemayfairlysuppose,hewouldnotallowmuchtimetopassbeforehespoketothelady,andashedoesnotappeartohavespokenyesterday,itisnotunlikelythatheshouldbeatMrs.Goddard'sto-day;andshemaybedetainedbyavisitor,withoutthinkinghimatallatiresomewretch.'

`Pray,Mr.Knightley,'saidEmma,whohadbeensmilingtoherselfthroughagreatpartofthisspeech,`howdoyouknowthatMr.Martindidnotspeakyesterday?'

`Certainly,'repliedhe,surprized,`Idonotabsolutelyknowit;butitmaybeinferred.Wasnotshethewholedaywithyou?'

`Come,'saidshe,`Iwilltellyousomething,inreturnforwhatyouhavetoldme.Hedidspeakyesterday-thatis,hewrote,andwasrefused.'

Thiswasobligedtoberepeatedbeforeitcouldbebelieved;andMr.Knightleyactuallylookedredwithsurprizeanddispleasure,ashestoodup,intallindignation,andsaid,

`ThensheisagreatersimpletonthanIeverbelievedher.Whatisthefoolishgirlabout?'

`Oh!tobesure,'criedEmma,`itisalwaysincomprehensibletoamanthatawomanshouldeverrefuseanofferofmarriage.Amanalwaysimaginesawomantobereadyforanybodywhoasksher.'

`Nonsense!amandoesnotimagineanysuchthing.Butwhatisthemeaningofthis?HarrietSmithrefuseRobertMartin?madness,ifitisso;butIhopeyouaremistaken.'

`Isawheranswer!-nothingcouldbeclearer.'

`Yousawheranswer!-youwroteheranswertoo.Emma,thisisyourdoing.Youpersuadedhertorefusehim.'

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