Page 346 - EMMA

Emma

in it. It would be a great disappointment to Mr. John
Knightley; consequently to Isabella. A real injury to the
children—a most mortifying change, and material loss to
them all;—a very great deduction from her father’s daily

comfort—and, as to herself, she could not at all endure the
idea of Jane Fairfax at Donwell Abbey. A Mrs. Knightley
for them all to give way to!—No—Mr. Knightley must
never marry. Little Henry must remain the heir of
Donwell.
Presently Mr. Knightley looked back, and came and sat
down by her. They talked at first only of the performance.
His admiration was certainly very warm; yet she thought,
but for Mrs. Weston, it would not have struck her. As a
sort of touchstone, however, she began to speak of his
kindness in conveying the aunt and niece; and though his
answer was in the spirit of cutting the matter short, she
believed it to indicate only his disinclination to dwell on
any kindness of his own.
‘I often feel concern,’ said she, ‘that I dare not make
our carriage more useful on such occasions. It is not that I
am without the wish; but you know how impossible my
father would deem it that James should put-to for such a
purpose.’

345 of 745