Wednesday 3 March
Everywhere I go I hear of no one but Frank Churchill. I called on Miss Bates this morning, thinking I would find a respite, only to discover that he had called on her, and that she could talk of nothing else.
I could not think what he was doing at the Bateses so early in his stay. It was his father’s doing, I suppose. Knowing Miss Bates to be in difficult circumstances, he had made sure his son paid a visit at once, as a mark of respect, and I commended him for it. If it had been left to his son, the visit would probably never have been made.
"Such a handsome young man!" said Miss Bates. "With such an air! Mother was saying we have never seen such a fine young man - a credit to Mr. Weston - Mrs. Weston so pleased - stayed with us for three-quarters of an hour - sure I do not know what we have done to deserve such a distinction. We were all very pleased with him, were we not, Jane?"
Thus appealed to, Miss Fairfax said that he was a very pleasing young man, but her words were not heartfelt. As she is a woman of discernment and taste, if she has found something lacking in him, then something lacking there must be. I tried to encourage her to say more, but she would not be drawn.
"He called to pay his respects to Jane. He met her at Weymouth. You remember I told you that Jane went to Weymouth? That is where she caught her shocking cold. It was when she was nearly swept overboard, I am sure."
"No," Jane murmured, but her aunt would not be silenced.
"You wrote to us not long afterwards, Jane, my dear, and that was when you mentioned you were not feeling well. Mrs. Campbell had commented on it, you said. You told us you were in low spirits, and had been glad to leave Weymouth behind."
I found myself wondering again if Frank Churchill had offended her there. That would account for her low spirits, her relief at leaving Weymouth behind, and it would fit in with my belief of him. Finding her to be elegant and accomplished, he had perhaps mistaken her for a woman of fashion and behaved charmingly towards her, but had then ignored her when he had discovered that she was destined to become a governess. Perhaps he had even flirted with her, or made love to her, before learning his mistake. Seeing her in Highbury must have been a shock to him, and his feelings of guilt probably accounted for his early call.
"It is my belief that that is where she caught such a shocking cold. Mr. Perry is in agreement with me," said Miss Bates.
Miss Fairfax protested that she was well, and I did not add to her distress by saying that she did not look well, but even so, I resolved to send Miss Bates some chickens, in the hope they might tempt Miss Fairfax to eat. More than that I could not do, without arousing the suspicions that Cole had entertained of my being in love with her.
I begin to think such a sentiment impossible. She is graceful and charming, but there is a lack of warmth in her that I am finding it hard to ignore.
Thursday 4 March
I found the Westons at Hartfield this morning, talking about Frank. I did not want to speak of him, but I could not very well leave, so I took up a newspaper and studied it intently.
"I told you he would come!" said Mr. Weston. "Did I not say that he would be with us in the spring? I knew how it would be. As soon as Mrs. Churchill could spare him, he came straight away, and he is very glad he did. He told me so himself."
Weston turned to Emma.
"He admires you greatly," he said.
So! He had seen Emma. I gave a harrumph behind my newspaper. It was a remark which could not fail to please her - or to add to her vanity.
"He thinks you very beautiful and charming," said Mrs. Weston.
If anything was destined to make Emma even more conceited than usual, it was the arrival of Frank Churchill! What hope is there for her better nature to develop if she is constantly surrounded by flattery? I am sure the Westons mean Emma to marry him. That was where all these remarks about her beauty and her charming nature tended.
If Mr. Woodhouse could have understood the treachery being conducted under his very nose, he would have immediately sent for Perry!
Friday 5 March
I returned to Hartfield this morning, drawn there by a desire to find out what Emma thought of Frank Churchill. She could not speak freely in front of the Westons yesterday, but I hoped that today she would tell me the truth: that he was well enough, in a frivolous sort of way, but not the kind of man to appeal to a woman of sense.
"And what do you make of Frank Churchill?" I asked, as Emma sat down opposite me, adding: "I half expected to find him here."
"He has gone to London," she said.
"To London?" I asked in surprise. "There is nothing wrong, I hope? No accident that requires his presence?"
"No." She had the goodness to look a little ashamed. "He has gone to have his hair cut."
I was much gratified.
"Hum! Just the trifling, silly fellow I took him for," I said, retiring behind my newspaper.
"I hope he returns in time for the Coles" dinner party," said Mr. Woodhouse. "It would not do to slight the Coles. Emma is going for that very reason. It is good of her, for she cannot want to go out, I am sure."
"I thought you had made up your mind to refuse their invitation?" I said to her.
"I had," she said uncomfortably. "But they expressed themselves so well in their invitation that I changed my mind. I did not wish to disappoint them, and Mrs. Weston particularly wished me to go," she added, with the air of one making an excuse. "I felt it would be wrong of me to refuse."
I detected the reason for the change at once.
"And is Mr. Churchill to be there, or will he still be having his hair cut?" I asked.
I was surprised at how scathing my words sounded.
"Of course not! And yes, he will be going to the dinner party. At least," she said, colouring slightly,
"I suppose he will be going. I am sure I do not know. But as Mr. and Mrs. Weston are going, I suppose I must assume that Mr. Churchill will be going, too."
"I only hope that Emma will not come home cold," said Mr. Woodhouse. "I have made my excuses.
The Coles know that I am a sad invalid, and although they had ordered a screen for me specially so that I would not have to sit in any draughts, I told them I could not go. I have made Emma promise me that if she comes home cold, she will warm herself thoroughly, and that if she is hungry, she will take something to eat."
I watched Emma throughout this speech, and I saw how uncomfortable she was. If Churchill had not been going to the dinner party, then I am sure Emma would have remained at home.
Saturday 6 March
I was worried about Miss Fairfax walking to the Coles" house in the cold night air, and so I called on Miss Bates this morning and offered to take her and her niece in my carriage.
"Oh, Mr. Knightley, you are too kind," said Miss Bates. "Is he not, mother? Mr. Knightley has offered to take us up in his carriage. I am sure I do not know when I have been shown such kindness."
"It is nothing," I said. "I am going to the party myself, and I have to pass your door; it is no trouble."
That was not quite true, but nevertheless, Miss Bates accepted my excuse and the time of the carriage was arranged.
Monday 8 March
After a day’s work I was ready to enjoy the evening. I arranged for the carriage to be brought round in good time. I would not have taken it for myself, as I prefer to walk or ride, but I was glad to be able to show Miss Bates some attention, and to safeguard the health of her niece.
"Well, this is travelling in style, is it not, Jane?" asked Miss Bates as we drove to the Coles" house.