Chapter 8

           ThewretchednessofaschemetoBoxHillwasinEmma’sthoughtsalltheevening.Howitmightbeconsideredbytherestoftheparty,shecouldnottell.They,intheirdifferenthomes,andtheirdifferentways,mightbelookingbackonitwithpleasure;butinherviewitwasamorningmorecompletelymisspent,moretotallybareofrationalsatisfactionatthetime,andmoretobeabhorredinrecollection,thananyshehadeverpassed.Awholeeveningofback-gammonwithherfather,wasfelicitytoit.There,indeed,layrealpleasure,forthereshewasgivingupthesweetesthoursofthetwenty-fourtohiscomfort;andfeelingthat,unmeritedasmightbethedegreeofhisfondaffectionandconfidingesteem,shecouldnot,inhergeneralconduct,beopentoanyseverereproach.Asadaughter,shehopedshewasnotwithoutaheart.Shehopednoonecouldhavesaidtoher,"Howcouldyoubesounfeelingtoyourfather?—Imust,IwilltellyoutruthswhileIcan."MissBatesshouldneveragain—no,never!Ifattention,infuture,coulddoawaythepast,shemighthopetobeforgiven.Shehadbeenoftenremiss,herconsciencetoldherso;remiss,perhaps,moreinthoughtthanfact;scornful,ungracious.Butitshouldbesonomore.Inthewarmthoftruecontrition,shewouldcalluponhertheverynextmorning,anditshouldbethebeginning,onherside,ofaregular,equal,kindlyintercourse.

           Shewasjustasdeterminedwhenthemorrowcame,andwentearly,thatnothingmightpreventher.