She did not reply, but I could see my words had given her pause. Good! It was a grave day’s work, to separate two people who would have been happy together. And why? Because she thought Elton would offer for Harriet.

I felt sorry for her. She was unaware of the damage she was doing, because she was too confident of her powers, and did not know that she still had a lot to learn. I was worried at how much damage she might do before she saw her mistake, and I felt I had to give her a word of warning.

"As you make no secret of your love of matchmaking, it is fair to suppose that you have views, and plans, and projects, and as a friend I shall just hint to you that if Elton is the man, I think it will be all labour in vain."

"I have no idea of Harriet’s marrying Mr. Elton," she returned.

"Elton is a very good sort of man, and a very respectable vicar of Highbury, but not at all likely to make an imprudent match. He knows the value of a good income as well as anybody," I said, to make sure she was under no illusions about him.

She disclaimed all thoughts of such a match, but from her uncomfortable manner, I could tell that that was what she had been hoping for. Foolish girl! With no more than twenty summers, to try to counsel a girl of seventeen! Better to say nothing and let Mrs. Goddard counsel Harriet, rather than apply her own influence so badly.

I felt sorry I had encouraged Robert Martin to propose. If I had known he would meet with rejection, I would not have done so. And to think that Emma was the cause of such unhappiness!

In an effort to put my ill-humour behind me I walked to Randalls. I hoped to see Weston as I had a matter of business to discuss with him, but he was not at home. Mrs. Weston, however, bade me stay.

Hardly had the tea been poured when Mrs. Weston asked me what was the matter.

"What is always the matter?" I said. "Emma! I knew how it would be. She has turned Harriet’s head. She has filled it with nonsense, and now the poor girl has turned down a perfectly unexceptionable offer of marriage in the hope of marrying Mr. Elton."

"Mr. Elton!" exclaimed Mrs. Weston, astonished.

"Absurd, is it not! As if Elton would look at a parlour boarder, an illegitimate girl with no name, no connections and no dowry. Misery will be the end of it all."

"Come, come," said Mrs. Weston. "It surely cannot be as bad as that. If, as you say, Mr. Elton will not look at Harriet - and I believe you are right - then Emma will soon see it."

"And what of Robert Martin?"

She looked surprised, and I explained the whole. She was thoughtful, but then said: "Mr. Martin is a sensible man. If he truly loves Harriet, he will not be deterred by one setback."

I was not so sanguine.

"A man has his pride," I said. I drank my tea. "If Emma could but meet someone who would interest her, she would forget all about Harriet Smith’s prospects and start thinking about her own."

Mr. Weston came in, and after the three of us had taken tea together, Mr. Weston and I retired to his study to discuss some business we had in hand. When we had done, I began to ask him about his son.

"Is there any news from Frank?" I asked.

"We had another letter only yesterday. He is very desirous of paying us a visit, but his time is taken up by Mrs. Churchill. She rules the household with an iron hand, governing her husband entirely, and governing Frank, too."

"So there is no news of his coming here yet?"

"He keeps hoping it will be possible, but something always happens to put the visit off. He is such a favourite with Mrs. Churchill that his time is not his own. But I hope to see him here before long."

Unfortunately, I doubt it. If Churchill cannot pay a visit to his father when his father marries, he must be a self-indulgent wastrel indeed, and I pity poor Weston his son.


Sunday 6 December

I saw Emma at church today, and we exchanged a few words. She remarked on my absence from Hartfield, and I told her I had been busy. She did not appear to have got over her schemes, for after the service she went to congratulate Elton, telling him how much Miss Smith had enjoyed it. Elton did not know where to look or what to think. Hah! A fine muddle they are making of it all.


Tuesday 8 December

I was glad to go to my whist club this evening. I had no inclination to go to Hartfield, and watch Emma make a fool of herself and her friend. Longridge was there, as well as Elton, Cole, Otway, Weston and the others.

"And how are you liking Highbury?" I asked Longridge, as the cards were dealt.

"Very much, thank you kindly. I have been thinking of leaving London for some time now - it has not been the same since my wife died - and Highbury seems a very agreeable place to settle. There is a deal of pretty countryside round about, some fine houses and superior company. I think I might settle here."

The game began, and we gave our attention to our cards.

Afterwards, we discussed parish business, and I came home well-pleased with my evening. There is some sensible company in Highbury, at least.


Wednesday 9 December

It was a bright but frosty morning and my ride round the estate was invigorating. The avenues were looking particularly attractive, with their branches coated in frost. It is a time of year I particularly like.

I noticed several things which needed attention, and I spoke to William Larkins about them. He wanted to postpone the work, as it was not urgent, but I wanted to have it done before Christmas.

I do not want John to think I have been neglecting Henry’s inheritance, for it seems more and more likely that I will leave the Abbey to my nephew.


Thursday 10 December

I still had no inclination to go to Hartfield today, and watch Emma making a fool of herself and her friend, so I was doubly pleased to accept an invitation from Graham.

It was impossible to forget Emma, however, for no sooner had we sat down to dinner than Graham said: "By the by, I have a charge for you all. I saw Perry this morning, and he told me that Miss Woodhouse and her young friend Miss Smith are making a collection of riddles. Mr. Woodhouse is very interested in the collection, too, and has asked Perry to spread the news so that the young ladies might have some more riddles for their book."

The ladies were immediately interested, and Mr. Longridge said: "My wife had a very pretty hand, and made a riddle book many years ago. Let me see if I remember some of them. I have it: When my first is a task to a young girl of spirit

And my second confines her to finish the labour -

Tum-te-tum-te-tum-te-tum….

Something about “she escapes.” " He went on reflectively:

"When my first is a task to a young girl of spirit

And my second confines her to finish the labour..."

"No, not labour," said Miss Bates, then looked flustered when all eyes turned to her. "Oh, forgive me, Mr. Longridge, it is just that I knew that riddle as a girl:

When my first is a task to a young girl of spirit And my second confines her to finish the piece. How hard is her fate! But how great is her merit,

If by taking my all she effects her release!"

"Bless my soul! That was it!" said Mr. Longridge, much struck. "Now, what was the answer?"

The table fell to musing, and Miss Bates supplied it: "Hemlock!"

There was a murmur of approval and congratulation from around the table, and Miss Bates went pink. It was good to see her triumph, for she does not have many opportunities to appear to such advantage.

"You must give it to Miss Woodhouse the next time you see her," said Graham, and Miss Bates promised she would.

"So, have you decided whether you will settle in Highbury?" asked Graham of his friend Longridge when talk of riddles had died down.

"Yes, I have made up my mind," he said. "There is such good company - I have not enjoyed an evening so much since my wife died. It will be an upheaval, mind, and I will have to find a house..."

"We can help you with that," said Mrs. Cole.

"Yes, indeed," said Mrs. Otway. "There are many fine houses hereabouts. Three Chimneys will be available after Christmas. The Dawsons are going back to Cornwall."

"I thought they liked it here?" asked Mrs. Weston, much struck.

"So they did, but Mr. Dawson’s brother has died, and Mr. Dawson has inherited a sizeable house on the coast."

There was much interest in this, but when it had been fully discussed, the conversation returned to the subject of Three Chimneys.

"I heard the roof leaks," said Mrs. Cole.

"Not at Three Chimneys. Barrowdown has the leaking roof, and anyhow, it is not available, as the Pringles have decided not to sell."

Two more houses were dismissed in short order, Low-reach because it was too small, and Melrose because it was damp, but at last the ladies had decided on a list of five properties he should arrange to see. They were keen for Longridge to visit them right away, but he said that he did not mean to look at anything before the New Year. That did not prevent the ladies from talking about it for the rest of the evening, however.


Friday 11 December

Robert Martin called on me today to discuss the farm. I did not mention his suit as I had no wish to embarrass him, but the subject was there in both our thoughts, and after our business was concluded he addressed it manfully. Simply, and with great nobility, he told me that his suit had not prospered. I offered my condolences and we parted with the subject finished.