Chapter II

No misfortune occurred, again to prevent the ball. The day approached, the day arrived; and Frank Churchill reached Randalls before dinner, and everything was safe.

Emma took Harriet, and they drove to the Crown. Frank Churchill was waiting for her; and though he did not say much, his eyes declared that he meant to have a delightful evening. They all walked about together, to see that everything was as it should be. Frank was standing by her, but not steadily; there was a restlessness, which showed a mind not at ease. He was looking about, he was going to the door, he was watching for the sound of other carriages. Soon other people arrived.

Mrs. Elton was spoken of. “I think she must be here soon,” said he. “I have heard so much of her. It cannot be long, I think, before she comes.”

A carriage was heard. Mr. and Mrs. Elton appeared.

“But Miss Bates and Miss Fairfax!” said Mr. Weston, looking about. “We thought you were bringing them.”

The carriage was sent for them now. Soon everybody was there. Having talked to Mrs. Elton, Frank Churchill returned to Emma.

“How do you like Mrs. Elton?” said Emma in a whisper.

“Not at all.”

“You are ungrateful.”

“Ungrateful! What do you mean? No, do not tell me – I do not want to know what you mean. Where is my father? When shall we begin dancing?”

Emma could hardly understand him. He walked off to find his father, but was quickly back again with both Mr. and Mrs. Weston. It had just occurred to Mrs. Weston that Mrs. Elton must be asked to begin the ball; that she would expect it. Emma heard the sad truth with fortitude.

“And what shall we do with a proper partner for her?” said Mr. Weston.

“She will think about Frank.”

Frank turned instantly to Emma, and said he was already an engaged man. So his father will be dancing with Mrs. Elton. Mr. Weston and Mrs. Elton led the way, Mr. Frank Churchill and Miss Woodhouse followed.

Emma was smiling with enjoyment, delighted to see the ball. But she was disturbed by Mr. Knightley’s not dancing. There he was, among the standers-by, where he ought not to be; he ought to be dancing, not classing himself with the husbands, and fathers, and whist-players. Whenever she caught his eye, she forced him to smile; but in general he was looking grave. She wished he could love balls better, and could like Frank Churchill better. He seemed often observing her. But she did not feel afraid: there was nothing like flirtation between her and her partner. They seemed more like cheerful, easy friends, than lovers. That Frank Churchill thought less of her than he had done, was indubitable.

The ball proceeded pleasantly. Everybody seemed happy. But Harriet was very sad. Two last dances before supper were begun, and Harriet had no partner; the only young lady sitting down. Emma saw Mr. Elton sauntering about. Elton was so near, that she heard every syllable of a dialogue which just then took place between him and Mrs. Weston; and she perceived that his wife, who was standing immediately above her, was not only listening also, but even encouraging him by significant glances. Kind-hearted, gentle Mrs. Weston had left her seat to join him and say,

“Do not you dance, Mr. Elton?” to which his prompt reply was, “Most readily, Mrs. Weston, if you will dance with me.”

“Me! Oh! No – I would get you a better partner than myself. I am no dancer.”

“If Mrs. Gilbert wishes to dance,” said he, “I shall have great pleasure, I am sure. Although I am an old married man, and my dancing days are over, it would give me very great pleasure at any time to dance with an old friend like Mrs. Gilbert.”

“Mrs. Gilbert does not mean to dance, but there is a young lady disengaged whom I should be very glad to see dancing – Miss Smith.”

“Miss Smith! Oh! I had not observed. But I am an old married man, and my dancing days are over, Mrs. Weston. You will excuse me. Anything else I should be most happy to do, at your command – but my dancing days are over.”

Mrs. Weston said no more; and Emma could imagine with what surprize and mortification she must be returning to her seat. This was Mr. Elton! Amiable, obliging, gentle Mr. Elton!

Emma would not look again. Her heart was in a glow, and she feared her face might be as hot.

In another moment a happier sight caught her; Mr. Knightley leading Harriet to the set! Never had she been more surprized, seldom more delighted, than at that instant. She was all pleasure and gratitude, both for Harriet and herself.

His dancing was extremely good; and Harriet seemed very lucky. She bounded higher than ever, flew farther down the middle, and was smiling.

Mr. Elton had retreated into the card-room, looking (Emma trusted) very foolish. His wife said audibly to her partner,

“Knightley has taken pity on poor little Miss Smith! Very good-natured, I declare.”

Supper was announced. Emma had no opportunity of speaking to Mr. Knightley till after supper; but, when they were all in the ballroom again, her eyes invited him irresistibly to come to her and be thanked. He thought that Mr. Elton’s conduct had been unpardonable rudeness.

“They aimed at wounding more than Harriet,” said he. “Emma, why is it that they are your enemies?”

He looked with smiling penetration; and, on receiving no answer, added,

“She ought not to be angry with you, I suspect. You say nothing, of course; but confess, Emma, that you wanted him to marry Harriet.”

“I did,” replied Emma, “and they cannot forgive me.”

He shook his head; but there was a smile of indulgence with it, and he only said,

“I shall not scold you.”

“I was completely mistaken in Mr. Elton. I was fully convinced of his being in love with Harriet.”

“And, in return for your acknowledging, I can say, that you would have chosen for him better than he has chosen for himself. Harriet Smith has some qualities, which Mrs. Elton is totally without. An unpretending, single-minded, artless girl.”

Emma was extremely gratified. They were interrupted by the bustle of Mr. Weston calling on everybody to begin dancing again.

“Come Miss Woodhouse, Miss Otway, Miss Fairfax, what are you all doing? Everybody is lazy! Everybody is asleep!”

“I am ready,” said Emma.

“Whom are you going to dance with?” asked Mr. Knightley.

She hesitated a moment, and then replied, “With you, if you will ask me.”

“Will you?” said he, offering his hand.

“Indeed I will. You have shown that you can dance!”

Chapter III

This little explanation with Mr. Knightley gave Emma considerable pleasure. It was one of the agreeable recollections of the ball. Harriet is rational, Frank Churchill is not too much in love, and Mr. Knightley is not wanting to quarrel with her, how very happy a summer must be before her!

She was not to see Frank Churchill this morning. He had told her that he could not allow himself the pleasure of stopping at Hartfield, as he was to be at home by the middle of the day. She did not regret it.

But suddenly the gate opened, and two persons entered whom she had never less expected to see together – Frank Churchill, with Harriet leaning on his arm – actually Harriet! Harriet looked white and frightened, and he was trying to cheer her. They were all three soon in the hall. What happened?

Miss Smith, and Miss Bickerton, another parlour boarder at Mrs. Goddard’s, who had been also at the ball, had walked out together, and taken a road, the Richmond road. About half a mile beyond Highbury, the young ladies had suddenly perceived at a small distance before them, some gypsies. Harriet was soon assailed by half a dozen children, headed by a stout woman and a great boy, all clamorous. More and more frightened, she immediately promised them money, and taking out her purse, gave them a shilling. But two girls were surrounded by the whole gang, demanding more.

In this state Frank Churchill had found them, they was trembling, the gypsies were loud and insolent. By a fortunate chance his leaving Highbury had been delayed so as to bring him to their assistance at this critical moment. He had left the gypsies completely frightened; and it was his idea to bring Harriet to Hartfield: he had thought of no other place.

This was the whole story. Harriet soon had recovered her senses and speech. He dared not stay longer and left.

It was a very extraordinary story! Nothing of the sort had ever occurred before to any young ladies here, within her memory; and now it had happened to Harriet! It certainly was very extraordinary! It seemed as if everything united to promise the most interesting consequences.

Chapter IV

A very few days had passed after this adventure, when Harriet came one morning to Emma, and after sitting down and hesitating, thus began:

“Miss Woodhouse, I have something that I should like to tell you – a sort of confession to make – and then, you know, it will be over.”

Emma was surprized; but begged her to speak.

“It is my duty, and I am sure it is my wish,” she continued, “to tell you everything. As I am happily quite an altered creature, you should know it. I do not want to say more than is necessary – I dare say you understand me.”

“Yes,” said Emma, “I hope I do.”

“It seems like madness!” cried Harriet, warmly. “I can see nothing at all extraordinary in him now. I do not care whether I meet him or not. And I do not envy his wife. She is very charming, I dare say, and all that, but I think her very ill-tempered and disagreeable – I shall never forget her look! However, I assure you, Miss Woodhouse, I wish her no evil. No, let them be ever so happy together. There it goes, and there is an end, thank Heaven! of Mr. Elton.”

“And when,” thought Emma, “will there be a beginning of Mr. Churchill?”

“Well, Harriet, whenever you marry I would advise you to…” began Emma.

“I shall never marry,” she heard Harriet say in a very serious tone,

“Never marry! This is something new. I hope it does not proceed from… Mr. Elton?”

“Mr. Elton indeed!” cried Harriet indignantly. “Oh! no! So superior to Mr. Elton!”

Emma then took time for consideration. Should she proceed no farther?

“Harriet, your resolution, or rather your expectation of never marrying, results from an idea that the person whom you might prefer, would be too greatly your superior in situation to think of you. Is not it so?”

“Oh! Miss Woodhouse, believe me, I am not so mad. But it is a pleasure to me to admire him at a distance – and to think of his infinite superiority, with the gratitude, wonder, and veneration.”

“I am not at all surprized at you, Harriet. The service he rendered you was enough to warm your heart.”

“Service! oh! it was such an inexpressible obligation! The very recollection of it, and all that I felt at the time – when I saw him coming – his noble look – and my wretchedness before. Such a change! In one moment such a change! From perfect misery to perfect happiness!”

“It is very natural. It is natural, and it is honourable. But, Harriet, let his behaviour be the guide of your sensations. I shall never speak to you again on the subject. I am determined against all interference. Henceforward I know nothing of the matter. Let no name ever pass our lips. We were very wrong before; we will be cautious now.”

Harriet kissed her hand in silent and submissive gratitude.