Volume III: Chapter I

by Jane Austen

　　A very little quiet reflection was enough to satisfy Emma as to thenature of her agitation on hearing this news of Frank Churchill.She was soon convinced that it was not for herself she was feeling atall apprehensive or embarrassed; it was for him. Her own attachmenthad 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 loveof the two, were to be returning with the same warmth of sentimentwhich he had taken away, it would be very distressing. If a separationof two months should not have cooled him, there were dangers and evilsbefore 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'sfeelings. The Enscombe family were not in town quite so soon as hadbeen imagined, but he was at Highbury very soon afterwards. He rodedown for a couple of hours; he could not yet do more; but as he camefrom Randalls immediately to Hartfield, she could then exercise allher quick observation, and speedily determine how he was influenced,and how she must act. They met with the utmost friendliness.There could be no doubt of his great pleasure in seeing her.But she had an almost instant doubt of his caring for her as hehad done, of his feeling the same tenderness in the same degree.She watched him well. It was a clear thing he was less in love than hehad been. Absence, with the conviction probably of her indifference,had produced this very natural and very desirable effect.

　　He was in high spirits; as ready to talk and laugh as ever, and seemeddelighted to speak of his former visit, and recur to old stories:and he was not without agitation. It was not in his calmness thatshe read his comparative difference. He was not calm; his spiritswere evidently fluttered; there was restlessness about him.Lively as he was, it seemed a liveliness that did not satisfy himself;but what decided her belief on the subject, was his staying only aquarter of an hour, and hurrying away to make other calls in Highbury."He had seen a group of old acquaintance in the street as he passed--he had not stopped, he would not stop for more than a word--but hehad the vanity to think they would be disappointed if he did not call,and much as he wished to stay longer at Hartfield, he must hurry off."She had no doubt as to his being less in love--but neither hisagitated spirits, nor his hurrying away, seemed like a perfect cure;and she was rather inclined to think it implied a dread of herreturning power, and a discreet resolution of not trusting himselfwith her long.

　　This was the only visit from Frank Churchill in the course of ten days.He was often hoping, intending to come--but was always prevented.His aunt could not bear to have him leave her. Such was his own accountat Randall's. If he were quite sincere, if he really tried to come,it was to be inferred that Mrs. Churchill's removal to London hadbeen of no service to the wilful or nervous part of her disorder.That she was really ill was very certain; he had declared himselfconvinced of it, at Randalls. Though much might be fancy, he couldnot doubt, when he looked back, that she was in a weaker stateof health than she had been half a year ago. He did not believe itto proceed from any thing that care and medicine might not remove,or at least that she might not have many years of existence before her;but he could not be prevailed on, by all his father's doubts, to saythat her complaints were merely imaginary, or that she was as strongas ever.

　　It soon appeared that London was not the place for her. She couldnot endure its noise. Her nerves were under continual irritationand suffering; and by the ten days' end, her nephew's letter toRandalls communicated a change of plan. They were going to removeimmediately to Richmond. Mrs. Churchill had been recommendedto the medical skill of an eminent person there, and had otherwisea fancy for the place. A ready-furnished house in a favouritespot was engaged, and much benefit expected from the change.

　　Emma heard that Frank wrote in the highest spirits of this arrangement,and seemed most fully to appreciate the blessing of having twomonths before him of such near neighbourhood to many dear friends--for the house was taken for May and June. She was told that nowhe wrote with the greatest confidence of being often with them,almost as often as he could even wish.

　　Emma saw how Mr. Weston understood these joyous prospects. He wasconsidering her as the source of all the happiness they offered.She hoped it was not so. Two months must bring it to the proof.

　　Mr. Weston's own happiness was indisputable. He was quite delighted.It was the very circumstance he could have wished for. Now, it wouldbe really having Frank in their neighbourhood. What were nine milesto a young man?--An hour's ride. He would be always coming over.The difference in that respect of Richmond and London was enoughto make the whole difference of seeing him always and seeinghim never. Sixteen miles--nay, eighteen--it must be full eighteento Manchester-street--was a serious obstacle. Were he ever ableto get away, the day would be spent in coming and returning.There was no comfort in having him in London; he might as well beat Enscombe; but Richmond was the very distance for easy intercourse.Better than nearer!

　　One good thing was immediately brought to a certainty by this removal,--the ball at the Crown. It had not been forgotten before, but it hadbeen soon acknowledged vain to attempt to fix a day. Now, however,it was absolutely to be; every preparation was resumed, and very soonafter the Churchills had removed to Richmond, a few lines from Frank,to say that his aunt felt already much better for the change,and that he had no doubt of being able to join them for twenty-fourhours at any given time, induced them to name as early a day as possible.

　　Mr. Weston's ball was to be a real thing. A very few to-morrowsstood between the young people of Highbury and happiness.

　　Mr. Woodhouse was resigned. The time of year lightened the evilto him. May was better for every thing than February. Mrs. Bateswas engaged to spend the evening at Hartfield, James had due notice,and he sanguinely hoped that neither dear little Henry nor dearlittle John would have any thing the matter with them, while dearEmma were gone.