Austen Said:

(nodding towards her father)—

To guess what all this meant, was impossible even for Emma. Something really important seemed announced by his looks; but, as her friend was well, she endeavoured not to be uneasy, and settling it with her father, that she would take her walk now, she and Mr. Weston were soon out of the house together and on their way at a quick pace for Randalls.

said Emma, when they were fairly beyond the sweep gates,—

he gravely replied.—

cried Emma, standing still with terror.—

said he very seriously,

Emma's courage returned, and she walked on.

he continued,

Emma found that she must wait; and now it required little effort. She asked no more questions therefore, merely employed

her own fancy, and that soon pointed out to her

Her fancy was very active. Half a dozen natural children, perhaps— — and poor Frank cut off!—This, though very undesirable, would be no matter of agony to her. It inspired little more than an animating curiosity.

said she, as they proceeded— speaking more to assist Mr. Weston in keeping his secret, than with any other view.

For a moment he was silent; and then added, in a tone much more guarded and demure,

They hurried on, and were speedily at Randalls.—

said he, as they entered the room—

And Emma distinctly heard him add, in a lower tone, before he quitted the room,—

Mrs. Weston was looking so ill, and had an air of so much perturbation, that Emma's uneasiness increased; and the moment they were alone, she eagerly said,

said Mrs. Weston in a trembling voice.

(resuming her work, and seeming resolved against looking up.)

She stopped to breathe. Emma thought first of herself, and then of Harriet.

resumed Mrs. Weston;

Emma even jumped with surprize;—and, horror-struck, exclaimed,

returned Mrs. Weston, still averting her eyes, and talking on with eagerness, that Emma might have time to recover—

Emma scarcely heard what was said.—Her mind was divided between two ideas— her own former conversations with him about Miss Fairfax; and poor Harriet;—and for some time she could only exclaim, and require confirmation, repeated confirmation.

said she at last, trying to recover herself;

Emma pondered a moment, and then replied,

Mrs. Weston looked up, afraid to believe; but Emma's countenance was as steady as her words.

she continued,

Mrs. Weston

kissed her with tears of joy; and when she could find utterance,

assured her, that

said she.

cried Emma, not attending to her.—

Emma began to listen better.

continued Mrs. Weston.

replied Emma dryly,

thought Emma,

Emma could not speak the name of Dixon without a little blush.

said Emma,

replied Mrs. Weston.

At this moment Mr. Weston appeared at a little distance from the window, evidently on the watch. His wife gave him a look which invited him in; and, while he was coming round, added,

cried Emma feelingly.

She met Mr. Weston on his entrance, with a smiling countenance, exclaiming,

A glance or two between him and his wife, convinced him that all was as right as this speech proclaimed; and its happy effect on his spirits was immediate. His air and voice recovered their usual briskness: he shook her heartily and gratefully 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 time they had talked it all over together, and he had talked it all over again with Emma, in their walk back to Hartfield, he was become perfectly reconciled, and not far from thinking it the very best thing that Frank could possibly have done.

Those were the words; in them lay the tormenting ideas which Emma could not get rid of, and which constituted the real misery of the business to her.

And now she was very conscious that she ought to have prevented them.—She felt that

she added,

She was extremely angry with herself. If she could not have been angry with Frank Churchill too, it would have been dreadful.—As for Jane Fairfax, she might at least relieve her feelings from any present solicitude on her account.

Emma could now imagine

why her own attentions had been slighted.