“Upon my word,” exclaimed Emma, “you
amuse me! I should like to know how many of
all my numerous engagements take place without your
being of the party; and why I am to be supposed in
danger of wanting leisure to attend to the little
boys. These amazing engagements of mine—
what have they been? Dining once with the Coles—and
having a ball talked of, which never took place.
I can understand you—(nodding at Mr. John
Knightley)—your good fortune in meeting
with so many of your friends at once here, delights
you too much to pass unnoticed. But you, (turning
to Mr. Knightley,) who know how very, very seldom
I am ever two hours from Hartfield, why you should
foresee such a series of dissipation for me, I cannot
imagine. And as to my dear little boys, I must
say, that if Aunt Emma has not time for them, I do
not think they would fare much better with Uncle Knightley,
who is absent from home about five hours where she
is absent one— and who, when he is at home,
is either reading to himself or settling his accounts.”
Mr. Knightley seemed to be trying not to smile; and
succeeded without difficulty, upon Mrs. Elton’s
beginning to talk to him.
VOLUME III
CHAPTER I
A very little quiet reflection was enough to satisfy
Emma as to the nature of her agitation on hearing
this news of Frank Churchill. She was soon convinced
that it was not for herself she was feeling at all
apprehensive or embarrassed; it was for him.
Her own attachment had really subsided into a mere
nothing; it was not worth thinking of;—
but if he, who had undoubtedly been always so much
the most in love of the two, were to be returning
with the same warmth of sentiment which he had taken
away, it would be very distressing. If a separation
of two months should not have cooled him, there were
dangers and evils before her:—caution for
him and for herself would be necessary. She did
not mean to have her own affections entangled again,
and it would be incumbent on her to avoid any encouragement
of his.
She wished she might be able to keep him from an absolute
declaration. That would be so very painful a
conclusion of their present acquaintance! and yet,
she could not help rather anticipating something decisive.
She felt as if the spring would not pass without bringing
a crisis, an event, a something to alter her present
composed and tranquil state.
It was not very long, though rather longer than Mr.
Weston had foreseen, before she had the power of forming
some opinion of Frank Churchill’s feelings.
The Enscombe family were not in town quite so soon
as had been imagined, but he was at Highbury very
soon afterwards. He rode down for a couple of
hours; he could not yet do more; but as he came from
Randalls immediately to Hartfield, she could then exercise
all her quick observation, and speedily determine
how he was influenced, and how she must act.
