Emma

ld not stay five minutes, and wanted particularly to speak with her."-He met her at the parlour-door, and hard

s morning?-Do, if it be possible. Mrs. We

he un

ed the carriage, and come to you, but she must see you alone, an

possible to refuse what you ask in such a way. B

s. You will know it all in time. The mos

; but, as her friend was well, she endeavoured not to be uneasy, and settling it with her father, that she would tak

y beyond the sweep gates,-"now Mr. Wes

to leave it all to her. She will break it to you better than I

r. Weston, tell me at once.-Something has happened in Brunswick Square

d you are

est friends are now in Brunswick Square. Which of them is it?-I

y word,

at it has nothing to do with any of them? Good Heavens!-What can

es not. It is not in the smallest degree connect

returned, and

ncern you-it concerns only myself,-that is, we hope.-Humph!-In short, my dear Emma, there is no occasion to be so uneasy about it.

eing some money concern-something just come to light, of a disagreeable nature in the circumstances of the family,-something which the late event at Richmond had brought forward. Her fancy was

s they proceeded-speaking more to assist Mr. West

it is not Frank, I assure you. You will not se

on been wit

you know?-Well, w

and then added, in a tone

this morning, just t

pe you will soon be better. I shall leave you together. There is no use in delay. I shall not be far off, if you want me."-And Emma

o much perturbation, that Emma's uneasiness increas

ow directly what it is. I have been walking all this way in complete suspense. We both abhor suspense

trembling voice. "Cannot you, my dear Emma-cann

lates to Mr. Frank Ch

olved against looking up.) "He has been here this very morning, on a most extraordinary errand. It is imp

mma thought first of hers

ngagement.-What will you say, Emma-what will any body say, when it is known that Fr

h surprize;-and, hor

d! You are not serious

so. There has been a solemn engagement between them ever since October-formed at Weymouth, and kept a secret from every body. Not a creature knowing it but themselves-neither the Cam

n former conversations with him about Miss Fairfax; and poor Harriet;-and for so

which I must think of at least half a day, before I can at all comprehend it.

urt me, Emma, very much. It has hurt his father eq

stand you; and to give you all the relief in my power, be assured that no

to believe; but Emma's counten

art of our acquaintance, when I did like him, when I was very much disposed to be attached to him-nay, was attached-and how it came to cease, is perhaps the wonder. Fortunately

d find utterance, assured her, that this protestation had d

ve been wretched. It was our darling wish that you might be attached to each other-and

to come among us with affection and faith engaged, and with manners so very disengaged? What right had he to endeavour to please, as he certainly did-to distinguish any one young woman with persevering attenti

he said, my dear Em

e repeated attentions were offering to another woman, before her face, and not res

our, and in a state of agitation which did not allow the full use even of the time he could stay-but that there had been misunderstandings he decidedly sa

it has sunk him in my opinion. So unlike what a man should be!-None of that upright integrity, that strict adherence to

been wrong in this instance, I have known him long enough t

on the point of going as governess! What could he mean by such horrible indelicac

erday, I know he said he was in the dark as to her plans. They burst on him, I do not know how, but by some letter or message-and it was the discovery of what she was doing, of this very project of hers

n to list

etter. It may bring many extenuations. It may make many things intelligible and excusable which now are not to be understood. Don't let us be severe, don't let us be in a hurry to condemn him. Let us have patience. I must love him; and

o not appear to have done him much harm.

d, I suppose there could not have been a hope, a chance, a possibility;-but scarcely are her remains at rest in the family vault, than her husband is persuaded to act e

"he would have done

just now more necessary than ever, that, as I tell you, he could stay with us but a quarter of an hour.-He was very much agitated-very much, indeed-to a degree that made him appear quite a different creature from any thing I

arrying on with such perfect secresy?-The Campbells,

the name of Dixon w

that it had been known to no being

o come among us with professions of openness and simplicity; and such a league in secret to judge us all!-Here have we been, the whole winter and spring, completely duped, fancying ourselves all on an equal footing of truth and honour, with two people in

. "I am very sure that I never said any thing of ei

nfined to my ear, when you imagined a cert

s Fairfax, I never could, under any blunder, have spoken ill of

o be satisfied with the match. Let us make the best of it-and, indeed, almost every thing may be fairly said in her favour. It is not a connexion to gratify; but if Mr. Churchill does not feel that, why should we? and it may be a very fortunate circumstance for him, for Frank, I mean, that he shoul

hinking only of herself, it is in a situation like Jane Fairfax's.-Of such,

entrance, with a smiling

eally frightened me. I thought you had lost half your property, at least. And here, instead of its being a matter of condolence, it turns out to be one of congratul

by the hand, and entered on the subject in a manner to prove, that he now only wanted time and persuasion to think the engagement no very bad thing. His companions suggested only what could palliate imprudence, or smooth objections; and by the