He had reached Randalls the evening before.
She was pleased with the eagerness to arrive which had made him alter his plan,
and travel earlier, later, and quicker, that he might gain half a day.
`I told you yesterday,' cried Mr. Weston
with exultation, `I told you all that he would be here before the time named. I
remembered what I used to do myself. One cannot creep upon a journey; one cannot
help getting on faster than one has planned; and the pleasure of coming in upon
one's friends before the look-out begins, is worth a great deal more than any
little exertion it needs.'
`It is a great pleasure where one can
indulge in it,' said the young man, `though there are not many houses that I
should presume on so far; but in coming home I felt I might do any thing.'
The word home made his father look on him
with fresh complacency. Emma was directly sure that he knew how to make himself
agreeable; the conviction was strengthened by what followed. He was very much
pleased with Randalls, thought it a most admirably arranged house, would hardly
allow it even to be very small, admired the situation, the walk to Highbury,
Highbury itself, Hartfield still more, and professed himself to have always
felt the sort of interest in the country which none but one's own country
gives, and the greatest curiosity to visit it. That he should never have been
able to indulge so amiable a feeling before, passed suspiciously through Emma's
brain; but still, if it were a falsehood, it was a pleasant one, and pleasantly
handled. His manner had no air of study or exaggeration. He did really look and
speak as if in a state of no common enjoyment.
Their subjects in general were such as
belong to an opening acquaintance. On his side were the inquiries, - `Was she a
horsewoman? - Pleasant rides? - Pleasant walks? - Had they a large
neighbourhood? - Highbury, perhaps, afforded society enough? - There were
several very pretty houses in and about it. - Balls - had they balls? - Was it
a musical society?'
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