Chapter VI

The next morning brought Mr. Frank Churchill again. He came with Mrs. Weston, to whom and to Highbury he seemed to take very cordially. Emma had hardly expected them: for Mr. Weston, who had called in for half a minute, in order to hear that his son was very handsome, knew nothing of their plans; and it was an agreeable surprize to her, therefore, to perceive them walking up to the house together, arm in arm. She was wanting to see him again, and especially to see him in company with Mrs. Weston, upon his behaviour to whom her opinion of him was to depend. On seeing them together, she became perfectly satisfied.

There was time enough for Emma to form a reasonable judgment, as their visit included all the rest of the morning. They were all three walking about together for an hour or two – first round the shrubberies of Hartfield, and afterwards in Highbury. He was delighted with everything and admired Hartfield sufficiently for Mr. Woodhouse’s ear.

He begged to show him the house which his father had lived in so long, and which had been the home of his father’s father.

Their first pause was at the Crown Inn. It had a large room; it had been built many years ago for a ball-room, and while the neighbourhood had been populous, it had been occasionally used as such. But such brilliant days had long passed away. He was immediately interested. Instead of passing on, he stopped for several minutes to look in and contemplate its capabilities, and lament that its original purpose should have ceased. He saw no fault in the room, it was long enough, broad enough, handsome enough. They ought to have balls there at least every fortnight through the winter. Why had not Miss Woodhouse revived the former good old days of the room? She who could do anything in Highbury!

At last he was persuaded to move on from the front of the Crown; and being now almost facing the house where the Bateses lodged, Emma recollected his visit the day before, and asked him if he had paid it.

“Yes, oh! yes,” he replied; “A very successful visit: I saw all the three ladies. I had been actually sitting with them nearly three-quarters of an hour. The good lady had not given me the possibility of escape before.”

“And how did you think Miss Fairfax looking?”

“Ill, very ill. But the expression is hardly admissible, Mrs. Weston, isn’t it? Ladies can never look ill. And, seriously, Miss Fairfax is very pale.”

“Did you see her often at Weymouth? Were you often in the same society?”

“Oh, it is always the lady’s right to decide on the degree of acquaintance.”

“Upon my word! You answer as discreetly as she could do herself. She is very reserved, very unwilling to give the least information about anybody.”

“Really? Then I will speak the truth, and nothing suits me so well. I met her frequently at Weymouth. I had known the Campbells a little in town; and at Weymouth we were very much in the same society. Colonel Campbell is a very agreeable man, and Mrs. Campbell a friendly, warm-hearted woman. I like them all.”

“You know Miss Fairfax’s situation in life, I conclude; what she is destined to be?”

“Yes, I believe I do.”

After walking together so long, Emma felt herself so well acquainted with him, that she could hardly believe it to be only their second meeting. He was not exactly what she had expected; better than she had expected.

Chapter VII

Emma’s very good opinion of Frank Churchill was a little shaken the following day, by hearing that he was gone off to London, merely to have his hair cut. He had sent for a chaise and set off, intending to return to dinner. There was certainly no harm in his travelling sixteen miles twice over on such an errand; but there was an air of foppery and nonsense in it which she could not approve. His father only called him a coxcomb; and Mrs. Weston made no other comment than that “all young people would have their little whims.”

With the exception of this little blot, Emma found that his visit hitherto had given her friend only good ideas of him. Mrs. Weston was very ready to say how attentive and pleasant a companion he made himself. He appeared to have a very open temper – certainly a very cheerful and lively one; she could observe nothing wrong in him.

Mr. Weston, on his side, added a virtue to the account which must have some weight. He gave her to understand that Frank admired her extremely – thought her very beautiful and very charming; and she found she must not judge him harshly. As Mrs. Weston observed, “all young people would have their little whims.”

There was one person among his new acquaintance, not so leniently disposed, – Mr. Knightley. When he was told about Frank’s hair, for the moment, he was silent; but Emma heard him almost immediately afterwards say to himself, over a newspaper he held in his hand, “Hum! just the trifling, silly fellow.”

The Coles had been settled some years in Highbury, and were very good sort of people – friendly, liberal, and unpretending; but, on the other hand, they were of low origin, in trade. On their first coming into the country, they had lived in proportion to their income, quietly, keeping little company, and that little unexpensively; but the last year or two had brought them a considerable increase of means, and fortune in general had smiled on them. They added to their house, to their number of servants, to their expenses of every sort. Their love of society, and their new dining-room, prepared everybody for their keeping dinner-company; and a few parties, chiefly among the single men, had already taken place. The superior families Emma could hardly suppose they would invite – neither Donwell, nor Hartfield, nor Randalls.

But Donwell and Randalls had received their invitation, and none had come for her father and herself; and Mrs. Weston’s explanation “I suppose they will not take the liberty with you; they know you do not dine out,” was not quite sufficient. Harriet was to be there in the evening, and the Bateses. They had been speaking of it as they walked about Highbury the day before, and Frank Churchill had most earnestly lamented her absence. Might not the evening end in a dance? had been a question of his.

Finally, the invitation arrived. Her first remark, on reading it, was that “of course it must be declined,” but she soon decided to go.

“No great harm if we come,” said Mr. Woodhouse. “But the sooner the party ends, the better.”

Chapter VIII

Frank Churchill came back again. He came back, had had his hair cut, and laughed at himself with a very good grace. He was quite as undaunted and as lively as ever; and, after seeing him, Emma thus thought,

“Wickedness is always wickedness, but folly is not always folly. It depends upon the character of those who handle it. Mr. Knightley, he is not a trifling, silly young man. If he were, he would have done this differently. No, I am perfectly sure that he is not trifling or silly.”

Tuesday came. She followed another carriage to Mr. Cole’s door; and was pleased to see that it was Mr. Knightley’s.

“This is coming as you should do,” said she; “like a gentleman. I am quite glad to see you. Now I shall really be very happy to walk into the same room with you.”

He thanked her.

Emma had as much reason to be satisfied with the rest of the party as with Mr. Knightley. She was received with a cordial respect. The party was rather large, as it included one other family, some new families arrived. The less worthy females were to come in the evening, with Miss Bates, Miss Fairfax, and Miss Smith.

The first remote sound which Emma heard was the name of Jane Fairfax. She listened, and found it well worth listening to. Mrs. Cole was telling that she had been calling on Miss Bates, and as soon as she entered the room had been struck by the sight of a pianoforte – a very elegant looking instrument. This pianoforte had arrived the day before, to the great astonishment of both aunt and niece – entirely unexpected. Miss Bates and Jane were quite bewildered to think who could possibly have ordered it – but they decided of course it must be from Colonel Campbell.

“But Jane,” added Mrs. Cole, “had a letter from them very lately, and not a word was said about it. Why did not they mention the present? They might choose to surprize her.”

Everybody agreed with her; everybody was equally convinced that it must come from Colonel Campbell, and equally rejoiced that such a present had been made.

“It always has quite hurt me,” said Mrs. Cole, “that Jane Fairfax, who plays so delightfully, should not have an instrument. And it was but yesterday I was telling Mr. Cole, I really was ashamed to look at our new grand pianoforte in the drawing-room, while I do not know how to play, and our little girls perhaps may never make anything of it; and there is poor Jane Fairfax, who is mistress of music, has not anything, not even the oldest spinet, to amuse herself with. I was saying this to Mr. Cole but yesterday, and he quite agreed with me. By the way, we are in great hopes that Miss Woodhouse may try it this evening.”

Miss Woodhouse agreed and turned to Frank Churchill.

“Why do you smile?” said she.

“And you?”

“Me! I smile for pleasure at Colonel Campbell’s being so rich and so liberal. It is a handsome present.”

“Very.”

“I rather wonder that it was never made before.”

“Perhaps Miss Fairfax has never been staying here so long before.”

“Or that he did not give her their own instrument – which must now be shut up in London, untouched by anybody.”

“That is a grand pianoforte, and he might think it too large for Mrs. Bates’s house. But if Colonel Campbell is not the person, who can be?”

“What about Mrs. Dixon?”

“Mrs. Dixon! I had not thought of Mrs. Dixon. It is Mrs. Dixon, I dare say. And, upon my word, Mr. Dixon likes her music.”

“And then, he saved her life. Did you ever hear of that? – A water party; and by some accident she was falling overboard. He caught her.”

“He did. I was there – one of the party.”

“Were you really? Well! But you observed nothing of course, for it seems to be a new idea to you. If I had been there, I think I should have made some discoveries.”

“I dare say you would; but I saw nothing but the fact, that Miss Fairfax was nearly dashed from the vessel and that Mr. Dixon caught her.”

“The arrival of this pianoforte tells me everything,” said Emma. “I wanted to know a little more, and this tells me quite enough. Depend upon it, we shall soon hear that it is a present from Mr. and Mrs. Dixon.”

“And if the Dixons should absolutely deny it we must conclude that it came from the Campbells.”

“No, I am sure it is not from the Campbells. Miss Fairfax knows it is not from the Campbells, or they would have been guessed at first. She would not have been puzzled. I am perfectly convinced myself that Mr. Dixon is a principal in the business.”

“I have made a most wretched discovery,” said he, after a short pause. “I have been here a week tomorrow – half my time. I never knew days fly so fast. A week tomorrow! And I have hardly begun to enjoy myself. But just got acquainted with Mrs. Weston, and others!”

“Perhaps you may now begin to regret that you spent one whole day in having your hair cut.”

“No,” said he, smiling, “that is no subject of regret at all.”

Emma saw Frank Churchill looking intently across the room at Miss Fairfax, who was sitting exactly opposite.

“What is the matter?” said she.

“I believe I have been very rude,” he replied, “but really Miss Fairfax has done her hair in so odd a way – so very odd a way – that I cannot keep my eyes from her. I never saw anything so extravagant! Those curls! I see nobody else looking like her! I must go and ask her whether it is an Irish fashion. Shall I? Yes, I will. And you will see how she takes it.”

He was gone immediately; and Emma soon saw him standing before Miss Fairfax, and talking to her; but he had improvidently placed himself exactly between them, exactly in front of Miss Fairfax, and she could absolutely distinguish nothing.

Before he could return to his chair, it was taken by Mrs. Weston.

“This is a large party, indeed,” said she. “One can get near everybody, and say everything. My dear Emma, I want to talk to you. I have been making discoveries, just like yourself. Do you know how Miss Bates and her niece came here?”

“How? They were invited, were not they?”

“Oh! yes. But the manner of their coming?”

“They walked, I conclude. How else could they come?”

“Mr. Knightley’s carriage had brought them here, and he will take them home again. I was quite surprized; very glad, I am sure; but really quite surprized. Such a very kind attention, and I think that it was for their accommodation the carriage was used at all.”

“Very likely,” said Emma. “Mr. Knightley is really good-natured, considerate, and benevolent. He is not a gallant man, but he is a very humane one; and this, considering Jane Fairfax’s ill-health, would appear a case of humanity to him.”

“Well,” said Mrs. Weston, smiling, “a suspicion darted into my head, and I have never been able to get it out again. The more I think of it, the more probable it appears. In short, I have made a match between Mr. Knightley and Jane Fairfax. What do you say to it?”

“Mr. Knightley and Jane Fairfax!” exclaimed Emma. “Dear Mrs. Weston, how could you think of such a thing? Mr. Knightley! Mr. Knightley marry! I am sure it is not at all likely. I am amazed that you should think of such a thing. No, I have never had such an idea, and I cannot adopt it now. And Jane Fairfax, too, of all women!”

“Oh, she has always been a first favourite with him, as you very well know.”

“But the imprudence of such a match!”

“I am not speaking of its prudence; merely its probability.”

“I see no probability in it, unless you have any better foundation than what you mention. He has a great regard for the Bateses, you know, independent of Jane Fairfax – and is always glad to show them attention. Jane Fairfax mistress of the Abbey! Oh! no, no! Mr. Knightley does not want to marry. I am sure he has not the least idea of it. Do not put it into his head. Why should he marry?”

“My dear Emma, but if he really loves Jane Fairfax – ”

“Nonsense! He does not care about Jane Fairfax. In the way of love, I am sure he does not.”

“Well,” said Mrs. Weston, laughing, “I have heard him speak, and so must you, so very highly of Jane Fairfax! The interest he takes in her – his anxiety about her health! Such an admirer of her performance on the pianoforte, and of her voice! I have heard him say that he could listen to her for ever. Oh! and I had almost forgotten one idea that occurred to me – this pianoforte that has been sent here by somebody – though we have all considered it a present from the Campbells, may it not be from Mr. Knightley? I suspect him. I think he is just the person to do it, even without being in love.”

“I do not think it is at all a likely thing for him to do. Mr. Knightley does nothing mysteriously. If he had intended to give her the pianoforte, he would have told her so.”

“My dear Emma. I have a very strong notion that it comes from him.”

The tea was over, and the instrument was in preparation. And at the same moment Mr. Cole was approaching to ask Miss Woodhouse to try it. Emma played some little things which are generally acceptable, and could accompany her own voice well. One accompaniment to her song was offered by Frank Churchill. Everybody said he had a delightful voice, and a perfect knowledge of music; which was properly denied by him. They sang together once more; and Emma then resigned her place to Miss Fairfax, whose performance, both vocal and instrumental, was infinitely superior to her own.

Frank Churchill sang again. But the sight of Mr. Knightley soon drew away Emma’s mind; and she remembered Mrs. Weston’s suspicions. Mr. Knightley was going to marry! She could see nothing but evil in it. It would be a great disappointment to Mr. John Knightley; consequently to Isabella. She could not at all endure the idea of Jane Fairfax at Donwell Abbey. No! Mr. Knightley must never marry. Little Henry must remain the heir of Donwell.