own. Nothing, but that the lessons of her past folly might teach her hu- mility and circumspection in future.
Serious she was, very serious in her thankfulness, and in her resolu- tions; and yet there was no preventing a laugh, sometimes in the very midst of them. She must laugh at such a close! Such an end of the doleful disappointment of five weeks back! Such a heart – such a Harriet!
Now there would be pleasure in her returning – Every thing would be a pleasure. It would be a great pleasure to know Robert Martin.
High in the rank of her most serious and heartfelt felicities, was the reflection that all necessity of concealment from Mr. Knightley would soon be over. The disguise, equivocation, mystery, so hateful to her to practise, might soon be over. She could now look forward to giving him
that full and perfect confidence which her disposition was most ready to welcome as a duty.
In the gayest and happiest spirits she set forward with her father; not always listening, but always agreeing to what he said; and, whether in
speech or silence, conniving at the comfortable persuasion of his being obliged to go to Randalls every day, or poor Mrs. Weston would be dis- appointed.
They arrived. – Mrs. Weston was alone in the drawing-room: – but hardly had they been told of the baby, and Mr. Woodhouse received the
thanks for coming, which he asked for, when a glimpse was caught through the blind, of two figures passing near the window.
“It is Frank and Miss Fairfax,” said Mrs. Weston. “I was just going to tell you of our agreeable surprize in seeing him arrive this morning. He
stays till to-morrow, and Miss Fairfax has been persuaded to spend the day with us. – They are coming in, I hope.”
In half a minute they were in the room. Emma was extremely glad to see him – but there was a degree of confusion – a number of embarrass-
ing recollections on each side. They met readily and smiling, but with a consciousness which at first allowed little to be said; and having all sat down again, there was for some time such a blank in the circle, that Em- ma began to doubt whether the wish now indulged, which she had long
felt, of seeing Frank Churchill once more, and of seeing him with Jane, would yield its proportion of pleasure. When Mr. Weston joined the party, however, and when the baby was fetched, there was no longer a want of subject or animation – or of courage and opportunity for Frank Churchill
to draw near her and say,
“I have to thank you, Miss Woodhouse, for a very kind forgiving mes- sage in one of Mrs. Weston’s letters. I hope time has not made you less willing to pardon. I hope you do not retract what you then said.”
“No, indeed,” cried Emma, most happy to begin, “not in the least. I am particularly glad to see and shake hands with you – and to give you joy in person.”
He thanked her with all his heart, and continued some time to speak
with serious feeling of his gratitude and happiness.
“Is not she looking well?” said he, turning his eyes towards Jane. “Bet- ter than she ever used to do? – You see how my father and Mrs. Weston dote upon her.”
But his spirits were soon rising again, and with laughing eyes, after mentioning the expected return of the Campbells, he named the name of Dixon. – Emma blushed, and forbade its being pronounced in her hearing.
“I can never think of it,” she cried, “without extreme shame.”