第8章

The note, which Emma was beginning to read rather before Mrs.Edwardes had entreated her to use no ceremony, contained a few lines from Elizabeth importing that their Father in consequence of being unusually well had taken the sudden resolution of attending the Visitation that day, and that as his Road lay quite wide from R., it was impossible for her to come home till the following morning, unless the Edwardes would sendher which was hardly to be expected, or she could meet with any chance conveyance, or did not mind walking so far.—She had scarcely run her eye thro'the whole, before she found herself obliged to listen to Tom Musgrave's farther account.'I received that note from the fair hands of Miss Watson only ten minutes ago,'said he—'I met her in the village of Stanton, whither my good Stars prompted me to turn my Horses heads—she was at that moment in quest of a person to employ on the Errand, and I was fortunate enough to convince her that she could not find a more willing or speedy Messenger than myself.Remember, I say nothing of my Disinterestedness.—My reward is to be the indulgence of conveying you to Stanton in my Curricle.—Tho'they are not written down, I bring your Sister's Orders for the same.'Emma felt distressed; she did not like the proposal—she did not wish to be on terms of intimacy with the Proposer—and yet fearful of encroaching on the Edwardes, as well as wishing to go home herself, she was at a loss how entirely to decline what he offered— Mrs.E.continued silent, either not understanding the case, or waiting to see how the young Lady's inclination lay.Emma thanked him—but professed herself very unwilling to give him so much trouble.'The Trouble was of course, Honour, Pleasure, Delight.What had he or his Horses to do?'—Still she hesitated.'She believed she must beg leave to decline his assistance—she was rather afraid of the sort of carriage—.The distance was not beyond a walk.'Mrs.E.was silent no longer.She enquired into the particulars—and then said 'We shall be extremely happy Miss Emma, if you can give us the pleasure of your company till tomorrow—but if you can not conveniently do so, our Carriage is quite at your Service, and Mary will be pleased with theopportunity of seeing your Sister.'—This was precisely what Emma had longed for; and she accepted the offer most thankfully; acknowledging that as Elizabeth was entirely alone, it was her wish to return home to dinner.—The plan was warmly opposed by their Visitor.'I cannot suffer it indeed.I must not be deprived of the happiness of escorting you.I assure you there is not a possibility of fear with my Horses.You might guide them yourself.Your Sisters all know how quiet they are; They have none of them the smallest scruple in trusting themselves with me, even on a Race Course.—Believe me'—added he lowering his voice—'You are quite safe, the danger is only mine.'—Emma was not more disposed to oblige him for all this.—'And as to Mrs.Edwardes'carriage being used the day after a Ball, it is a thing quite out of rule I assure you—never heard of before—the old Coachman will look as black as his Horses.Won't he Miss Edwardes?'—No notice was taken.The Ladies were silently firm, and the gentleman found himself obliged to submit.