Chapter 9

           Emma’spensivemeditations,asshewalkedhome,werenotinterrupted;butonenteringtheparlour,shefoundthosewhomustrouseher.Mr.KnightleyandHarriethadarrivedduringherabsence,andweresittingwithherfather.—Mr.Knightleyimmediatelygotup,andinamannerdecidedlygraverthanusual,said,

           "Iwouldnotgoawaywithoutseeingyou,butIhavenotimetospare,andthereforemustnowbegonedirectly.IamgoingtoLondon,tospendafewdayswithJohnandIsabella.Haveyouanythingtosendorsay,besidesthe‘love,’whichnobodycarries?"

           "Nothingatall.Butisnotthisasuddenscheme?"

           "Yes—rather—Ihavebeenthinkingofitsomelittletime."

           Emmawassurehehadnotforgivenher;helookedunlikehimself.Time,however,shethought,wouldtellhimthattheyoughttobefriendsagain.Whilehestood,asifmeaningtogo,butnotgoing—herfatherbeganhisinquiries.

           "Well,mydear,anddidyougettheresafely?—Andhowdidyoufindmyworthyoldfriendandherdaughter?—Idaresaytheymusthavebeenverymuchobligedtoyouforcoming.DearEmmahasbeentocallonMrs.andMissBates,Mr.Knightley,asItoldyoubefore.Sheisalwayssoattentivetothem!"

           Emma’scolourwasheightenedbythisunjustpraise;andwithasmile,andshakeofthehead,whichspokemuch,shelookedatMr.Knightley.