Chapter 8

           HarrietsleptatHartfieldthatnight.Forsomeweekspastshehadbeenspendingmorethanhalfhertimethere,andgraduallygettingtohaveabed-roomappropriatedtoherself;andEmmajudgeditbestineveryrespect,safestandkindest,tokeepherwiththemasmuchaspossiblejustatpresent.ShewasobligedtogothenextmorningforanhourortwotoMrs.Goddard’s,butitwasthentobesettledthatsheshouldreturntoHartfield,tomakearegularvisitofsomedays.

           Whileshewasgone,Mr.Knightleycalled,andsatsometimewithMr.WoodhouseandEmma,tillMr.Woodhouse,whohadpreviouslymadeuphismindtowalkout,waspersuadedbyhisdaughternottodeferit,andwasinducedbytheentreatiesofboth,thoughagainstthescruplesofhisowncivility,toleaveMr.Knightleyforthatpurpose.Mr.Knightley,whohadnothingofceremonyabouthim,wasofferingbyhisshort,decidedanswers,anamusingcontrasttotheprotractedapologiesandcivilhesitationsoftheother.

           "Well,Ibelieve,ifyouwillexcuseme,Mr.Knightley,ifyouwillnotconsidermeasdoingaveryrudething,IshalltakeEmma’sadviceandgooutforaquarterofanhour.Asthesunisout,IbelieveIhadbettertakemythreeturnswhileIcan.Itreatyouwithoutceremony,Mr.Knightley.Weinvalidsthinkweareprivilegedpeople."

           "Mydearsir,donotmakeastrangerofme."

           "Ileaveanexcellentsubstituteinmydaughter.Emmawillbehappytoentertainyou.