LII + 

It was a very great relief to Emma to find Harriet as desirous as herself to avoid a meeting. Their intercourse was painful enough by letter. How much worse, had they been obliged to meet! + 

Harriet expressed herself very much as might be supposed, without reproaches, or apparent sense of ill-usage; and yet Emma fancied there was a something of resentment, a something bordering on it in her style, which increased the desirableness of their being separate.вБ†вАФIt might be only her own consciousness; but it seemed as if an angel only could have been quite without resentment under such a stroke. + 

She had no difficulty in procuring IsabellaвАЩs invitation; and she was fortunate in having a sufficient reason for asking it, without resorting to invention.вБ†вАФThere was a tooth amiss. Harriet really wished, and had wished some time, to consult a dentist. Mrs.¬†John Knightley was delighted to be of use; anything of ill health was a recommendation to herвБ†вАФand though not so fond of a dentist as of a Mr.¬†Wingfield, she was quite eager to have Harriet under her care.вБ†вАФWhen it was thus settled on her sisterвАЩs side, Emma proposed it to her friend, and found her very persuadable.вБ†вАФHarriet was to go; she was invited for at least a fortnight; she was to be conveyed in Mr.¬†WoodhouseвАЩs carriage.вБ†вАФIt was all arranged, it was all completed, and Harriet was safe in Brunswick Square. + 

Now Emma could, indeed, enjoy Mr.¬†KnightleyвАЩs visits; now she could talk, and she could listen with true happiness, unchecked by that sense of injustice, of guilt, of something most painful, which had haunted her when remembering how disappointed a heart was near her, how much might at that moment, and at a little distance, be enduring by the feelings which she had led astray herself. + 

The difference of Harriet at Mrs.¬†GoddardвАЩs, or in London, made perhaps an unreasonable difference in EmmaвАЩs sensations; but she could not think of her in London without objects of curiosity and employment, which must be averting the past, and carrying her out of herself. + 

She would not allow any other anxiety to succeed directly to the place in her mind which Harriet had occupied. There was a communication before her, one which she only could be competent to makeвБ†вАФthe confession of her engagement to her father; but she would have nothing to do with it at present.вБ†вАФShe had resolved to defer the disclosure till Mrs.¬†Weston were safe and well. No additional agitation should be thrown at this period among those she lovedвБ†вАФand the evil should not act on herself by anticipation before the appointed time.вБ†вАФA fortnight, at least, of leisure and peace of mind, to crown every warmer, but more agitating, delight, should be hers. + 

She soon resolved, equally as a duty and a pleasure, to employ half an hour of this holiday of spirits in calling on Miss Fairfax.вБ†вАФShe ought to goвБ†вАФand she was longing to see her; the resemblance of their present situations increasing every other motive of goodwill. It would be a secret satisfaction; but the consciousness of a similarity of prospect would certainly add to the interest with which she should attend to anything Jane might communicate. + 

She wentвБ†вАФshe had driven once unsuccessfully to the door, but had not been into the house since the morning after Box Hill, when poor Jane had been in such distress as had filled her with compassion, though all the worst of her sufferings had been unsuspected.вБ†вАФThe fear of being still unwelcome, determined her, though assured of their being at home, to wait in the passage, and send up her name.вБ†вАФShe heard Patty announcing it; but no such bustle succeeded as poor Miss Bates had before made so happily intelligible.вБ†вАФNo; she heard nothing but the instant reply of, вАЬBeg her to walk up;вАЭвБ†вАФand a moment afterwards she was met on the stairs by Jane herself, coming eagerly forward, as if no other reception of her were felt sufficient.вБ†вАФEmma had never seen her look so well, so lovely, so engaging. There was consciousness, animation, and warmth; there was everything which her countenance or manner could ever have wanted.вБ†вАФShe came forward with an offered hand; and said, in a low, but very feeling tone, + 

вАЬThis is most kind, indeed!вБ†вАФMiss Woodhouse, it is impossible for me to expressвБ†вАФI hope you will believeвБ†вАФExcuse me for being so entirely without words.вАЭ + 

Emma was gratified, and would soon have shown no want of words, if the sound of Mrs.¬†EltonвАЩs voice from the sitting-room had not checked her, and made it expedient to compress all her friendly and all her congratulatory sensations into a very, very earnest shake of the hand. + 

Mrs.¬†Bates and Mrs.¬†Elton were together. Miss Bates was out, which accounted for the previous tranquillity. Emma could have wished Mrs.¬†Elton elsewhere; but she was in a humour to have patience with everybody; and as Mrs.¬†Elton met her with unusual graciousness, she hoped the rencontre would do them no harm. + 

She soon believed herself to penetrate Mrs.¬†EltonвАЩs thoughts, and understand why she was, like herself, in happy spirits; it was being in Miss FairfaxвАЩs confidence, and fancying herself acquainted with what was still a secret to other people. Emma saw symptoms of it immediately in the expression of her face; and while paying her own compliments to Mrs.¬†Bates, and appearing to attend to the good old ladyвАЩs replies, she saw her with a sort of anxious parade of mystery fold up a letter which she had apparently been reading aloud to Miss Fairfax, and return it into the purple and gold reticule by her side, saying, with significant nods, + 

вАЬWe can finish this some other time, you know. You and I shall not want opportunities. And, in fact, you have heard all the essential already. I only wanted to prove to you that Mrs.¬†S. admits our apology, and is not offended. You see how delightfully she writes. Oh! she is a sweet creature! You would have doted on her, had you gone.вБ†вАФBut not a word more. Let us be discreetвБ†вАФquite on our good behaviour.вБ†вАФHush!вБ†вАФYou remember those linesвБ†вАФI forget the poem at this moment: + 

вАЬFor when a ladyвАЩs in the case, + 

You know all other things give place. + 

вАЬNow I say, my dear, in our case, for lady, readвБ†вАФmum! a word to the wise.вБ†вАФI am in a fine flow of spirits, anвАЩt I? But I want to set your heart at ease as to Mrs.¬†S.вБ†вАФMy representation, you see, has quite appeased her.вАЭ + 

And again, on EmmaвАЩs merely turning her head to look at Mrs.¬†BatesвАЩs knitting, she added, in a half whisper, + 

вАЬI mentioned no names, you will observe.вБ†вАФOh! no; cautious as a minister of state. I managed it extremely well.вАЭ + 

Emma could not doubt. It was a palpable display, repeated on every possible occasion. When they had all talked a little while in harmony of the weather and Mrs.¬†Weston, she found herself abruptly addressed with, + 

вАЬDo not you think, Miss Woodhouse, our saucy little friend here is charmingly recovered?вБ†вАФDo not you think her cure does Perry the highest credit?вБ†вАФ(here was a side-glance of great meaning at Jane.) Upon my word, Perry has restored her in a wonderful short time!вБ†вАФOh! if you had seen her, as I did, when she was at the worst!вАЭвБ†вАФAnd when Mrs.¬†Bates was saying something to Emma, whispered farther, вАЬWe do not say a word of any assistance that Perry might have; not a word of a certain young physician from Windsor.вБ†вАФOh! no; Perry shall have all the credit.вАЭ + 

вАЬI have scarce had the pleasure of seeing you, Miss Woodhouse,вАЭ she shortly afterwards began, вАЬsince the party to Box Hill. Very pleasant party. But yet I think there was something wanting. Things did not seemвБ†вАФthat is, there seemed a little cloud upon the spirits of some.вБ†вАФSo it appeared to me at least, but I might be mistaken. However, I think it answered so far as to tempt one to go again. What say you both to our collecting the same party, and exploring to Box Hill again, while the fine weather lasts?вБ†вАФIt must be the same party, you know, quite the same party, not one exception.вАЭ + 

Soon after this Miss Bates came in, and Emma could not help being diverted by the perplexity of her first answer to herself, resulting, she supposed, from doubt of what might be said, and impatience to say everything. + 

вАЬThank you, dear Miss Woodhouse, you are all kindness.вБ†вАФIt is impossible to sayвБ†вАФYes, indeed, I quite understandвБ†вАФdearest JaneвАЩs prospectsвБ†вАФthat is, I do not mean.вБ†вАФBut she is charmingly recovered.вБ†вАФHow is Mr.¬†Woodhouse?вБ†вАФI am so glad.вБ†вАФQuite out of my power.вБ†вАФSuch a happy little circle as you find us here.вБ†вАФYes, indeed.вБ†вАФCharming young man!вБ†вАФthat isвБ†вАФso very friendly; I mean good Mr.¬†Perry!вБ†вАФsuch attention to Jane!вАЭвБ†вАФAnd from her great, her more than commonly thankful delight towards Mrs.¬†Elton for being there, Emma guessed that there had been a little show of resentment towards Jane, from the vicarage quarter, which was now graciously overcome.вБ†вАФAfter a few whispers, indeed, which placed it beyond a guess, Mrs.¬†Elton, speaking louder, said, + 

вАЬYes, here I am, my good friend; and here I have been so long, that anywhere else I should think it necessary to apologise; but, the truth is, that I am waiting for my lord and master. He promised to join me here, and pay his respects to you.вАЭ + 

вАЬWhat! are we to have the pleasure of a call from Mr.¬†Elton?вБ†вАФThat will be a favour indeed! for I know gentlemen do not like morning visits, and Mr.¬†EltonвАЩs time is so engaged.вАЭ + 

вАЬUpon my word it is, Miss Bates.вБ†вАФHe really is engaged from morning to night.вБ†вАФThere is no end of peopleвАЩs coming to him, on some pretence or other.вБ†вАФThe magistrates, and overseers, and churchwardens, are always wanting his opinion. They seem not able to do anything without him.вБ†вАФвАШUpon my word, Mr.¬†E.,вАЩ I often say, вАШrather you than I.вБ†вАФI do not know what would become of my crayons and my instrument, if I had half so many applicants.вАЩвБ†вАФBad enough as it is, for I absolutely neglect them both to an unpardonable degree.вБ†вАФI believe I have not played a bar this fortnight.вБ†вАФHowever, he is coming, I assure you: yes, indeed, on purpose to wait on you all.вАЭ And putting up her hand to screen her words from EmmaвБ†вАФвАЬA congratulatory visit, you know.вБ†вАФOh! yes, quite indispensable.вАЭ + 

Miss Bates looked about her, so happilyвБ†вАФ! + 

вАЬHe promised to come to me as soon as he could disengage himself from Knightley; but he and Knightley are shut up together in deep consultation.вБ†вАФMr.¬†E. is KnightleyвАЩs right hand.вАЭ + 

Emma would not have smiled for the world, and only said, вАЬIs Mr.¬†Elton gone on foot to Donwell?вБ†вАФHe will have a hot walk.вАЭ + 

вАЬOh! no, it is a meeting at the Crown, a regular meeting. Weston and Cole will be there too; but one is apt to speak only of those who lead.вБ†вАФI fancy Mr.¬†E. and Knightley have everything their own way.вАЭ + 

вАЬHave not you mistaken the day?вАЭ said Emma. вАЬI am almost certain that the meeting at the Crown is not till tomorrow.вБ†вАФMr.¬†Knightley was at Hartfield yesterday, and spoke of it as for Saturday.вАЭ + 

вАЬOh! no, the meeting is certainly today,вАЭ was the abrupt answer, which denoted the impossibility of any blunder on Mrs.¬†EltonвАЩs side.вБ†вАФвАЬI do believe,вАЭ she continued, вАЬthis is the most troublesome parish that ever was. We never heard of such things at Maple Grove.вАЭ + 

вАЬYour parish there was small,вАЭ said Jane. + 

вАЬUpon my word, my dear, I do not know, for I never heard the subject talked of.вАЭ + 

вАЬBut it is proved by the smallness of the school, which I have heard you speak of, as under the patronage of your sister and Mrs.¬†Bragge; the only school, and not more than five-and-twenty children.вАЭ + 

вАЬAh! you clever creature, thatвАЩs very true. What a thinking brain you have! I say, Jane, what a perfect character you and I should make, if we could be shaken together. My liveliness and your solidity would produce perfection.вБ†вАФNot that I presume to insinuate, however, that some people may not think you perfection already.вБ†вАФBut hush!вБ†вАФnot a word, if you please.вАЭ + 

It seemed an unnecessary caution; Jane was wanting to give her words, not to Mrs.¬†Elton, but to Miss Woodhouse, as the latter plainly saw. The wish of distinguishing her, as far as civility permitted, was very evident, though it could not often proceed beyond a look. + 

Mr.¬†Elton made his appearance. His lady greeted him with some of her sparkling vivacity. + 

вАЬVery pretty, sir, upon my word; to send me on here, to be an encumbrance to my friends, so long before you vouchsafe to come!вБ†вАФBut you knew what a dutiful creature you had to deal with. You knew I should not stir till my lord and master appeared.вБ†вАФHere have I been sitting this hour, giving these young ladies a sample of true conjugal obedienceвБ†вАФfor who can say, you know, how soon it may be wanted?вАЭ + 

Mr.¬†Elton was so hot and tired, that all this wit seemed thrown away. His civilities to the other ladies must be paid; but his subsequent object was to lament over himself for the heat he was suffering, and the walk he had had for nothing. + 

вАЬWhen I got to Donwell,вАЭ said he, вАЬKnightley could not be found. Very odd! very unaccountable! after the note I sent him this morning, and the message he returned, that he should certainly be at home till one.вАЭ + 

вАЬDonwell!вАЭ cried his wife.вБ†вАФвАЬMy dear Mr.¬†E., you have not been to Donwell!вБ†вАФYou mean the Crown; you come from the meeting at the Crown.вАЭ + 

вАЬNo, no, thatвАЩs tomorrow; and I particularly wanted to see Knightley today on that very account.вБ†вАФSuch a dreadful broiling morning!вБ†вАФI went over the fields tooвБ†вАФ(speaking in a tone of great ill-usage,) which made it so much the worse. And then not to find him at home! I assure you I am not at all pleased. And no apology left, no message for me. The housekeeper declared she knew nothing of my being expected.вБ†вАФVery extraordinary!вБ†вАФAnd nobody knew at all which way he was gone. Perhaps to Hartfield, perhaps to the Abbey Mill, perhaps into his woods.вБ†вАФMiss Woodhouse, this is not like our friend Knightley!вБ†вАФCan you explain it?вАЭ + 

Emma amused herself by protesting that it was very extraordinary, indeed, and that she had not a syllable to say for him. + 

вАЬI cannot imagine,вАЭ said Mrs.¬†Elton, (feeling the indignity as a wife ought to do,) вАЬI cannot imagine how he could do such a thing by you, of all people in the world! The very last person whom one should expect to be forgotten!вБ†вАФMy dear Mr.¬†E., he must have left a message for you, I am sure he must.вБ†вАФNot even Knightley could be so very eccentric;вБ†вАФand his servants forgot it. Depend upon it, that was the case: and very likely to happen with the Donwell servants, who are all, I have often observed, extremely awkward and remiss.вБ†вАФI am sure I would not have such a creature as his Harry stand at our sideboard for any consideration. And as for Mrs.¬†Hodges, Wright holds her very cheap indeed.вБ†вАФShe promised Wright a receipt, and never sent it.вАЭ + 

вАЬI met William Larkins,вАЭ continued Mr.¬†Elton, вАЬas I got near the house, and he told me I should not find his master at home, but I did not believe him.вБ†вАФWilliam seemed rather out of humour. He did not know what was come to his master lately, he said, but he could hardly ever get the speech of him. I have nothing to do with WilliamвАЩs wants, but it really is of very great importance that I should see Knightley today; and it becomes a matter, therefore, of very serious inconvenience that I should have had this hot walk to no purpose.вАЭ + 

Emma felt that she could not do better than go home directly. In all probability she was at this very time waited for there; and Mr.¬†Knightley might be preserved from sinking deeper in aggression towards Mr.¬†Elton, if not towards William Larkins. + 

She was pleased, on taking leave, to find Miss Fairfax determined to attend her out of the room, to go with her even downstairs; it gave her an opportunity which she immediately made use of, to say, + 

вАЬIt is as well, perhaps, that I have not had the possibility. Had you not been surrounded by other friends, I might have been tempted to introduce a subject, to ask questions, to speak more openly than might have been strictly correct.вБ†вАФI feel that I should certainly have been impertinent.вАЭ + 

вАЬOh!вАЭ cried Jane, with a blush and an hesitation which Emma thought infinitely more becoming to her than all the elegance of all her usual composureвБ†вАФвАЬthere would have been no danger. The danger would have been of my wearying you. You could not have gratified me more than by expressing an interestвБ†вАФ. Indeed, Miss Woodhouse, (speaking more collectedly,) with the consciousness which I have of misconduct, very great misconduct, it is particularly consoling to me to know that those of my friends, whose good opinion is most worth preserving, are not disgusted to such a degree as toвБ†вАФI have not time for half that I could wish to say. I long to make apologies, excuses, to urge something for myself. I feel it so very due. But, unfortunatelyвБ†вАФin short, if your compassion does not stand my friendвБ†вАФвАЭ + 

вАЬOh! you are too scrupulous, indeed you are,вАЭ cried Emma warmly, and taking her hand. вАЬYou owe me no apologies; and everybody to whom you might be supposed to owe them, is so perfectly satisfied, so delighted evenвБ†вАФвАЭ + 

вАЬYou are very kind, but I know what my manners were to you.вБ†вАФSo cold and artificial!вБ†вАФI had always a part to act.вБ†вАФIt was a life of deceit!вБ†вАФI know that I must have disgusted you.вАЭ + 

вАЬPray say no more. I feel that all the apologies should be on my side. Let us forgive each other at once. We must do whatever is to be done quickest, and I think our feelings will lose no time there. I hope you have pleasant accounts from Windsor?вАЭ + 

вАЬVery.вАЭ + 

вАЬAnd the next news, I suppose, will be, that we are to lose youвБ†вАФjust as I begin to know you.вАЭ + 

вАЬOh! as to all that, of course nothing can be thought of yet. I am here till claimed by Colonel and Mrs.¬†Campbell.вАЭ + 

вАЬNothing can be actually settled yet, perhaps,вАЭ replied Emma, smilingвБ†вАФвАЬbut, excuse me, it must be thought of.вАЭ + 

The smile was returned as Jane answered, + 

вАЬYou are very right; it has been thought of. And I will own to you, (I am sure it will be safe), that so far as our living with Mr.¬†Churchill at Enscombe, it is settled. There must be three months, at least, of deep mourning; but when they are over, I imagine there will be nothing more to wait for.вАЭ + 

вАЬThank you, thank you.вБ†вАФThis is just what I wanted to be assured of.вБ†вАФOh! if you knew how much I love everything that is decided and open!вБ†вАФGoodbye, goodbye.вАЭ + 