Saturday 26 June

I awoke, firm in my resolve to go away, and settled on London, as it would give me an opportunity to see to some business, and to see John and Isabella.

I could not go without seeing Emma one last time, however, and I walked over to Hartfield. I was out of luck, for Emma was not at home. I meant to be on my way at once, but I sat with Mr. Woodhouse, asking him if he had any message to send to Isabella, then telling him I did not know how long I would be away. I still could not bear to go, not without seeing her for one last time.

Harriet arrived, which provided a diversion, and gave me an excuse to remain awhile longer.

"I hope I find you well?" I said to her, standing up as she entered the room.

She blushed prettily.

"Very well, I thank you," she said.

"I have called to see Miss Woodhouse, to tell her I am going to London, but she is out. I would like to speak to her before I go. I cannot stay above five minutes, however," I said firmly, but my body seemed to move of its own accord and I sat down beside Harriet.

"I should like to go to London," said Harriet. "It must be a wonderful place."

"It is not somewhere I wish to go," I said. "I would much rather stay at home."

She blushed, and I thought again that she must have guessed my secret, and that she knew I did not want to go because I did not want to leave Emma. I was glad of her silent sympathy.

"I hope you will not be away for very long," she said.

It was kind of her to speak to me as though there was hope for me, but I know I have lost Emma. I will never call her mine. Never take her to the Abbey. Never see her sitting opposite me in the evening. Never go with her to London to visit Isabella and John. Never see her playing with our children, as she plays with her sister’s children.

But I had to face it like a man.

I meant to leave, but I could not bring myself to do so. Not without one last glimpse of Emma, and so I continued to talk to Miss Smith.

"Did you enjoy our trip to Box Hill?" I asked her.

"Oh, yes, very much," she said.

"I am glad," I said warmly, and so I was: I was glad that at least one person had enjoyed it.

"I was sorry you ate out of doors," said Mr. Woodhouse anxiously. "Perry did not think it at all wise. I hope you may not take cold."

She assured him she was quite well.

"You were very ill over the winter," he said to her.

"You were indeed," I said kindly, remembering that she had had other ills, besides a cold, to bear.

"It was nothing," she whispered.

I began to think there was more to her colourings than goodwill towards me and my suit, and I wondered if she might have caught another cold after all, for not only did she seem to colour a great deal, but also to whisper.

"I hope your throat is not sore?" I asked her.

"No, thank you," she said, and blushed again.

The time passed slowly, but pass it did, and at last Emma returned. I rose as soon as she came in, saying I was going to London, and asking if she had any message to send to her sister. She looked surprised, but I said I had been planning the expedition for some time.

I waited for a word from her, something to give me hope to remain, but there was nothing.

I was a fool to expect it. To think that Emma, with all her advantages of birth and beauty, with a good heart and superior understanding, would sacrifice the attentions of a man who flatters her for the hand of a man who scolds her! If I had ever had a chance of winning her away from Churchill, I had lost it on Box Hill.

She said she had no particular message, and I was about to leave when her father began asking her about her morning call. To my surprise, I learnt that she had been calling on the Bateses, which is why she had been from home.

I am sure she did not go to apologize - it would have been beyond the desire of either party, for Miss Bates would have been as embarrassed as Emma - but this attention would be recognized as an apology, and I felt my heart expand. So Emma had not lost her better nature!

My face must have showed my thoughts, for she smiled at me, a little shyly, and on an impulse I took her hand. I wanted to do more. I wanted to kiss it. I lifted it, scarcely knowing what I was doing, and I was about to press it to my lips when I recollected that I had no right to do such a thing, no matter how much I might want to.

I dropped her hand, then making her a bow, I bade her and her father farewell. I said goodbye to Harriet, and set out for London.

It was a long and dismal journey, filled with gloomy thoughts, but once I reached Brunswick Square, I endeavoured to put my troubles out of my mind.

John and Isabella were surprised to see me, but I gave some pretext relating to business and they accepted it, welcoming me into their home.

I soon saw that the boys had grown since they were with us in the spring. Henry was turning into a fine boy, and John was not far behind. Bella had grown a very little, except in mischief, and George was still content to toddle behind her. The baby was showing an interest in everything, and I sat down with her on my knee.

Henry asked me about Harriet and the Gypsies, a tale which made Isabella shudder, and John asked me what had been done to make sure the roads were safe. This led to parish business, and we talked of Highbury and Hartfield until it was time to go to bed.

I went upstairs but I could not sleep. I took up my newspaper, but I could not pay attention to it. I was not interested in the world outside, I was interested in my own world, and at the heart of that world was Emma. Emma with her good heart, Emma with her dear face. Emma. My Emma.


Monday 28 June

For the last two days I have been in torment. I have not been like myself. I have been short-tempered and out of spirits. I think I was wrong to come here. Isabella has always reminded me too much of Emma.

And then there are the children. I thought: If I had known my own feelings last year, and spoken to Emma before she had met Frank Churchill, then she would already be my wife. I could, this very morning, be playing with my son, just as John is playing with his.


Tuesday 29 June

I determined to rouse myself and I attended to business, but this evening, a restless spirit was on me. As I sat in the drawing-room, with John reading his newspaper, Isabella sewing, and the children playing around us, I was given a picture of domestic felicity which set my heart aching. I wanted this for myself. I wanted it with Emma. If I had spoken - if I had not scolded her - if I had learnt my feelings sooner - if I had flattered her - if I had behaved as a lover and not a friend - if I had done all of the things I did not do, and none of the things I did, then perhaps I could have looked forward to the same kind of happiness.

July

Thursday 1 July

A letter from Highbury arrived this morning.

"It is from Miss Bates," said Isabella, recognizing the hand.

I picked up my newspaper and hid my face behind it. I did not want her to see my expression when she read the letter, for I was sure it would contain news of Emma’s betrothal.

As she began to read, I could scarcely breathe.

"Mother well - Jane still in low spirits - new gloves for Mrs. Cole - Mrs. Churchill dead."

Isabella stopped short. "Mrs. Churchill dead!"

I did not know what the information would mean for Emma. Would it delay her marriage, whilst the period of mourning was observed, or speed it, as Mrs. Churchill could not put any obstacles in the way?

Isabella was so shocked by the news that, fortunately, she did not notice my silence. She began to read Miss Bates’s letter more slowly: "We were all very shocked to hear it. Poor lady! It seems she was very ill after all. Mr. Churchill is better than can be expected - the funeral is to be in Yorkshire. Mother is so shocked! And poor Jane can hardly speak. She has been very ill, I fear. Perry is worried about her. She has a terrible headache -  Poor Jane," said Isabella, breaking off from reading the letter. "She is worried about her future, no doubt."

"No doubt," I managed to say.

I had recovered myself sufficiently to join in with the conversation, and the subject occupied us for the rest of the day.


Friday 2 July

I could not settle to anything. Emma is to marry Frank Churchill. It is as certain as the sun rising. I live in dread of the letter bearing the news, but a letter has not arrived. Emma will write to Isabella as soon as it is arranged, I am sure. Until then I am in torment. And afterwards…? I dare not think of it.


Saturday 3 July

I had luncheon at my club, with Routledge. As we finished our meal, I found him watching me curiously.

"Well?" he said.

"Well?" I asked.

"Out with it."

"Out with what?"

"Whatever it is that is bothering you," he said. "It must be something important, for you have not listened to a word I have said. You have answered me in an abstracted manner, and nothing you have said has made sense."

"Nothing is bothering me," I answered testily.

"You might as well make up your mind to tell me, because I will hound you until you do. I am tired of looking at your long face and hearing your sighs! It is not like you."

"I do not sigh!" I protested.

"I distinctly heard you as you ate your beef. You sighed."

I gave a deep sigh - then was angry with myself.

"Hah!" said Routledge. "There you are! It is as I said! You sighed. Well?"

I could not hide it from him any longer, nor did I wish to, for I needed to unburden myself.

"You were right." I said.

"About?"

"About Emma. Everything you said was true. I am in love with her. I cannot think why I did not see it sooner. I have been blind. She is the very woman for me."

"At last! I have been waiting for you to see it for months. Well, when are you going to marry her?"

"Never. I have missed my chance. She is going to marry Frank Churchill."

"Is she indeed?" he asked in surprise. "What busy lives you lead in Surrey! It is only a few months ago that you told me she was going to marry Elton. Elton, on the other hand, was going to marry Harriet - in Emma’s mind - but instead he went to Bath and came home with Augusta. It is as bad as A

Midsummer Night’s Dream. Are you sure there are no fairies in Highbury, who are making you their sport? It seems very like it. I expect to hear next that Jane Fairfax is about to marry Mr. Longridge, or that Miss Bates is engaged to Mr. Woodhouse."

I smiled despite myself.

"That is better," said Routledge. "A long face never helped anyone. Come now, tell me, what makes you think Emma is going to marry Churchill?"

"There is an understanding between them. From things she has said - things she has done - I asked her if she knew his mind on a certain subject, and she said she was convinced of it. In short, I thought he seemed to be casting glances at Jane Fairfax, some time ago, but Emma said she was sure of him. It was an intimate matter, one that would not have been spoken of if there had not been an engagement."

"And so they have announced their betrothal."

"I am expecting it any day, although it may be delayed as Mrs. Churchill has just died."

"Then, if it is as certain as you say, you had better marry Jane Fairfax instead."

"I have already thought about it, but I cannot do it."

"Why not? She is an attractive young woman, well-bred, agreeable and in need of a home."

"I cannot marry her for those reasons. Befriend her, help her - yes. But marry her? No."

"Then you had best see to your repairs at the Abbey, for it seems your nephew will inherit it, after all."

"It seems so." I remembered that Routledge sometimes saw John, and said: "You will say nothing of this to John? He does not know that I am in love with Emma. I can stand your rough concern, but if my brother knew, he would tell Isabella, and I cannot stand Isabella’s sympathy."

"I understand. I will say nothing to anyone. You may place your trust in me."

"Thank you."

"What do you intend to do now?" he asked me.

"Do? I will do what I have always done. Tend my estate, dine with my friends, play whist, look after the parish, and visit my brother."