about dear Jane,' Miss Bates said. 'Do you think I should tell her to come home to Highbury at once, Mr Knightley? Only the Campbells have been so kind in asking her to stay, even though Miss Campbell is married and gone to live in Ireland, that I think she will not like to offend them, but I cannot bear the thought of them taking her on another boating-expedition and poor Jane being drowned!'
I protested at this terrible speculation, and asked her when Jane was due to leave Weymouth.
'She has already left,' said Miss Bates. 'I had a letter from her only the other day, and in it she distinctly told me they were leaving Weymouth on the morrow, so that by the time I received the letter she would be back at home again. Oh, poor Jane!'
'Then I should not worry any more about it,' I told her. I added: 'There is no reason why you should not invite her to Highbury, though, if you think the Campbells can spare her.'
Not only would it set Miss Bates's mind at ease, but it would give me great pleasure to have Miss Fairfax here. Emma could not fail to see the difference between Miss Fairfax and Miss Smith, and I am persuaded that, even with her prejudice, she would soon learn to value Miss Fairfax's company.
'I have already asked her to come to us,' said Miss Bates.
'And have you received a reply?'
'Yes. Alas, she cannot oblige us. She has already promised the Campbells to spend Christmas with them,' said Miss Bates.
I was disappointed, but it could not be helped.
Miss Bates's alarm gradually faded, and by the time Mr Weston came in, she was calm once more.
He and I retreated to his study to talk business. When we had done, I mentioned the letter and I found that he had not yet seen it.
'What! Frank! Saved Miss Fairfax!' said he, highly gratified. 'Never was a man more fortunate in his son. You should have one yourself, Knightley. Marry! Take a wife! Mrs Lovage would be willing,' he added.
'Mrs Lovage has returned to Bath,' I said.
'She would come back quickly enough, if she thought there was hope.'
'Can no one think of anything but marriage?' I exclaimed. I did not mean to speak so brusquely, but I was disappointed that I had not been able to feel any thing for Mrs Lovage. 'You and John are trying to find me a wife, and Emma--'
'Emma?' he asked.
I had no intention of disclosing her plans to find Elton a wife, for they would not please Elton if he came to hear of them. He might be deferential in his behaviour towards her because of her standing in the neighbourhood, but even that would not reconcile him to the idea of her meddling in his affairs.
'Emma is keen to make another match, after claiming to have made yours.'
'Perhaps she did,' he said jovially.
'She thought of it, that is all!' I rebuked him.
'If she wants to make a match, she should make one for you!' he returned.
'Hah! She knows me better than to think I would have someone of her choosing,' I said.
'She chose very well for me.'
I saw there was no arguing with him, and I said no more. Let him think Emma arranged his marriage if he wishes! It can do no harm, as long as he does not say so to her.
Saturday 7 November
This evening, Miss Bates was still talking of her alarm over Jane's accident, and she recounted the incident over dinner at Graham's. Mr and Mrs Cole said everything necessary to reassure her, and she exclaimed that she did not know what she would do without such good friends.
'A fine woman,' remarked Mr Longridge of Miss Bates, once the ladies had withdrawn. 'She reminds me of my dear wife.'
He blew his nose, and became quiet.
I thought he had been recently bereaved, but I later learnt that his wife died twenty years ago. However, he still speaks of her with great affection.
The talk after dinner was of politics and business until we joined the ladies, whereupon Mrs Weston sang for us. I joined her, and I felt it was an evening well spent.
Thursday 12 November
I walked in on a pretty scene this morning when I called at Hartfield. Emma