Chapter 17

           Mrs.Weston’sfriendswereallmadehappybyhersafety;andifthesatisfactionofherwell-doingcouldbeincreasedtoEmma,itwasbyknowinghertobethemotherofalittlegirl.ShehadbeendecidedinwishingforaMissWeston.Shewouldnotacknowledgethatitwaswithanyviewofmakingamatchforher,hereafter,witheitherofIsabella’ssons;butshewasconvincedthatadaughterwouldsuitbothfatherandmotherbest.ItwouldbeagreatcomforttoMr.Weston,ashegrewolder—andevenMr.Westonmightbegrowingoldertenyearshence—tohavehisfiresideenlivenedbythesportsandthenonsense,thefreaksandthefanciesofachildneverbanishedfromhome;andMrs.Weston—noonecoulddoubtthatadaughterwouldbemosttoher;anditwouldbequiteapitythatanyonewhosowellknewhowtoteach,shouldnothavetheirpowersinexerciseagain.

           "Shehashadtheadvantage,youknow,ofpractisingonme,"shecontinued—"likeLaBaronned’AlmaneonLaComtessed’Ostalis,inMadamedeGenlis’AdelaideandTheodore,andweshallnowseeherownlittleAdelaideeducatedonamoreperfectplan."

           "Thatis,"repliedMr.Knightley,"shewillindulgeherevenmorethanshedidyou,andbelievethatshedoesnotindulgeheratall.Itwillbetheonlydifference."

           "Poorchild!"criedEmma;"atthatrate,whatwillbecomeofher?"

           "Nothingverybad.—Thefateofthousands.