Chapter 4

           Averyfewdayshadpassedafterthisadventure,whenHarrietcameonemorningtoEmmawithasmallparcelinherhand,andaftersittingdownandhesitating,thusbegan:

           "MissWoodhouse—ifyouareatleisure—IhavesomethingthatIshouldliketotellyou—asortofconfessiontomake—andthen,youknow,itwillbeover."

           Emmawasagooddealsurprized;butbeggedhertospeak.TherewasaseriousnessinHarriet’smannerwhichpreparedher,quiteasmuchasherwords,forsomethingmorethanordinary.

           "Itismyduty,andIamsureitismywish,"shecontinued,"tohavenoreserveswithyouonthissubject.AsIamhappilyquiteanalteredcreatureinonerespect,itisveryfitthatyoushouldhavethesatisfactionofknowingit.Idonotwanttosaymorethanisnecessary—IamtoomuchashamedofhavinggivenwayasIhavedone,andIdaresayyouunderstandme."

           "Yes,"saidEmma,"IhopeIdo."

           "HowIcouldsolongatimebefancyingmyself!..."criedHarriet,warmly."Itseemslikemadness!Icanseenothingatallextraordinaryinhimnow.