Chapter 18

           Mr.FrankChurchilldidnotcome.Whenthetimeproposeddrewnear,Mrs.Weston’sfearswerejustifiedinthearrivalofaletterofexcuse.Forthepresent,hecouldnotbespared,tohis"verygreatmortificationandregret;butstillhelookedforwardwiththehopeofcomingtoRandallsatnodistantperiod."

           Mrs.Westonwasexceedinglydisappointed—muchmoredisappointed,infact,thanherhusband,thoughherdependenceonseeingtheyoungmanhadbeensomuchmoresober:butasanguinetemper,thoughforeverexpectingmoregoodthanoccurs,doesnotalwayspayforitshopesbyanyproportionatedepression.Itsoonfliesoverthepresentfailure,andbeginstohopeagain.ForhalfanhourMr.Westonwassurprizedandsorry;butthenhebegantoperceivethatFrank’scomingtwoorthreemonthslaterwouldbeamuchbetterplan;bettertimeofyear;betterweather;andthathewouldbeable,withoutanydoubt,tostayconsiderablylongerwiththemthanifhehadcomesooner.

           Thesefeelingsrapidlyrestoredhiscomfort,whileMrs.Weston,ofamoreapprehensivedisposition,foresawnothingbutarepetitionofexcusesanddelays;andafterallherconcernforwhatherhusbandwastosuffer,sufferedagreatdealmoreherself.

           EmmawasnotatthistimeinastateofspiritstocarereallyaboutMr.FrankChurchill’snotcoming,exceptasadisappointmentatRandalls.Theacquaintanceatpresenthadnocharmforher.