Chapter 11

           Mr.Eltonmustnowbelefttohimself.ItwasnolongerinEmma’spowertosuperintendhishappinessorquickenhismeasures.Thecomingofhersister’sfamilywassoverynearathand,thatfirstinanticipation,andtheninreality,itbecamehenceforthherprimeobjectofinterest;andduringthetendaysoftheirstayatHartfielditwasnottobeexpected—shedidnotherselfexpect—thatanythingbeyondoccasional,fortuitousassistancecouldbeaffordedbyhertothelovers.Theymightadvancerapidlyiftheywould,however;theymustadvancesomehoworotherwhethertheywouldorno.Shehardlywishedtohavemoreleisureforthem.Therearepeople,whothemoreyoudoforthem,thelesstheywilldoforthemselves.

           Mr.andMrs.JohnKnightley,fromhavingbeenlongerthanusualabsentfromSurry,wereexcitingofcourserathermorethantheusualinterest.Tillthisyear,everylongvacationsincetheirmarriagehadbeendividedbetweenHartfieldandDonwellAbbey;butalltheholidaysofthisautumnhadbeengiventosea-bathingforthechildren,anditwasthereforemanymonthssincetheyhadbeenseeninaregularwaybytheirSurryconnexions,orseenatallbyMr.Woodhouse,whocouldnotbeinducedtogetsofarasLondon,evenforpoorIsabella’ssake;andwhoconsequentlywasnowmostnervouslyandapprehensivelyhappyinforestallingthistooshortvisit.