CHAPTER XXIV
The months that followed were, for Emma, at the best, tedious, at the worst, hardly to be borne. Augusta, the spoiled child of a foolish mother, gave her something of affection and much more of trouble. Mrs Watson was ever ready to find fault. Margaret, more and more irritated by her failure to procure a visit, or even an answer to her letters, from Tom Musgrave, and by the waning attentions from Robert and Mrs Watson, might always be depended upon to make matters worse. Elizabeth only was a comfort. No one else could be trusted. Mr Howard had been quite prepared, when opportunity offered, to make an advantageous exchange of livings; Mr Howard, whose eyes had said more than his lips, but who had been very well able to forget. After all, their acquaintance had been but short. Elizabeth, Margaret and herself, were not they all in a like case? Would it not have been more sensible to accept Lord Osborne’s offer? _He_ could not have been so unpleasant as Mrs Watson. Lady Osborne would not have had to mend a child’s clothing in a bad light!
Penelope wrote to inform them of the date when she would be married, but sent no invitation, thereby greatly incensing Mrs Watson, who observed that, had her sisters had the sense and sisterly affection to keep on terms with Penelope, no such slight could have been offered her.
Margaret’s turn to lament came when a long letter arrived for herself, after the honeymoon, describing the delightful places where it had been spent, and the glories of the bride’s new home.
Unaccustomed to such confinement to the house, and to such demands on her strength, Emma became seriously unwell, and the apothecary gave his opinion that she should be some days in bed and, when able to rise, should not exert herself for a further period.
On the second day of her confinement to her room, a letter was received from Mrs Edwards, inviting Elizabeth and Emma to visit them for a few weeks immediately after Easter.
Never was a more opportune invitation, and Elizabeth hastened to her sister Jane with the letter in her hand. Mrs Robert, however, was in no hurry to consent, but on reflection decided that she _might_ be able to spare Emma, if Elizabeth would remain and attend to Augusta during Emma’s absence. Elizabeth accordingly penned the following reply:
CROYDON, _Wednesday, 30th March, 1808_.
DEAR MRS EDWARDS--Your letter came to hand this afternoon. I hasten to reply to your generous invitation and kind enquiry. We do very well, I thank you, and all enjoy good health excepting Emma. It is on her account that I receive your communication with a particular relief; that is, if you find yourself able to receive one but just risen from a bed of sickness. Emma has had to keep her bed since Monday, but is now much recovered, though not yet from her room. Sam, who is come to visit us for Easter, recommends a change of air, which I am totally unable to provide, and therefore, dear Mrs Edwards, your letter is most opportune, if it can be managed. Please excuse this short and hurried letter, but I fear the risk of any delay. Yours affectionately,
ELIZABETH WATSON.
P.S.--For myself, I must regretfully decline your goodness, being needed by Mrs Watson.
This letter was delivered as the Edwards family finished their dinner the following day and, having been read, and then read aloud by Mrs Edwards, was then to be commented on by Mr Edwards and Mary.
Mr Edwards had nothing to say beyond expressing his sympathy with the Miss Watsons on general grounds, but whether he considered them most to be pitied for being needed by Mrs Watson, or being in a bed of sickness, or for having lost their father, he did not think it necessary to specify. Miss Edwards was grieved that Emma was ill, and hoped that she might be allowed to come to them. Mrs Edwards’ sympathy was chiefly with the elder sister.
“And why is Elizabeth not to come with her sister, indeed? And likely needing a change after the nursing. I will be bound it has all fallen on her. I never had any opinion of Mrs Robert.”
Mary interposed with:
“But Emma may come, may she not, Mama?”
Mrs Edwards reminded her that there would be much to arrange. How was Emma to travel? And with whom? She certainly would not invite Margaret, of whom she appeared to have no better opinion than of Mrs Robert. Even if they sent their carriage all the way, it would still hardly be possible for Emma to travel without escort, and she could not spare a servant. Mary, with some diffidence, mentioned Sam.
This was unwelcome to both her parents at first; but at last Mr Edwards’ good-nature triumphed over all difficulties. The carriage was to be sent, and Sam invited to escort his sister. “He must get on to Guildford as best he can,” added Mr Edwards.
So it happened that on Saturday morning, Elizabeth received a despatch which gladdened her heart, and Sam one which gladdened and disturbed his. Emma was also disturbed on finding that she could be so ungrateful. She was pleased because Elizabeth was glad, but the world was a very dull place, and she anticipated very little pleasure in removing to another part of it. She brightened when she understood that Sam was to escort her; he was invariably kind, and there had been but few opportunities of seeing him; for Mrs Robert was resolved on patronage, and he resolved that it should not be so. Easter Sunday came and went, and on Monday morning Sam and the carriage were at the door. Elizabeth’s regrets at the parting with her sister, and being left behind, were overborne by the knowledge of the benefit and ease which would be Emma’s. Mrs Robert was divided between relief at being quit of an invalid, and annoyance on seeing Emma depart in so important a style.
It was very pleasant to Emma to drive out of Croydon. A lengthy period of waiting on and appeasing a spoilt child, without change of scene or company, followed by days when she was confined to her room, when Mrs Robert’s habit of finding fault had given place to a general air of dissatisfaction towards the invalid, had left her in a state of mind very ready to be pleased. Each turn of the road and changing view, each remark made by Sam, was a small adventure. Emma’s sympathy soon called forth Sam’s confidence, and what would a lover confide but his affection? Emma gave her brother every encouragement at first, and then, calling to mind the officers surrounding Miss Edwards at the ball, and the ten thousand pounds which was said to be her fortune, felt bound to recommend caution in the entertainment of his hopes.
“But Emma,” he protested, “if I am not to hope, what is the good of it all? I have always loved her, and she only met Captain Hunter last winter.”
Emma warned him that he must not rely too much on his position as an old friend.
“I do not see why. Just observe this. At Guildford it is Mr Curtis they have faith in. They argue with me: they say--‘Mr _Curtis_ always recommended this or that’--just because he is the old apothecary, they believe in him and trust him. Now why should it be different at D----? Why should not Mary Edwards trust me? I would trust her with the whole world.”
“I fear, Sam, that ladies do not always marry those in whom they have most confidence.”
This called forth a great sigh from Sam.
“Then she will marry a red-coat; they have nothing to do but wait on her, and make fine speeches.”
Emma found herself again giving encouragement, which again must be discounted, when he began to make plans for a happy future.
With so much to talk of, the hours passed rapidly, and almost before they had begun to wish for the end of the journey, the carriage drew up at the door of Mrs Edwards’ house.
There occurred a short delay, as Emma found that she needed Sam’s support to mount the steps to the door, where she was taken in hand by Mrs Edwards and her daughter, the former saying to Sam with some severity:
“I trust you have been careful of Miss Emma.”
Whether Mrs Edwards regretted these words, or whether it was simply Sam’s smile, can only be conjectured, but when they all met again in the parlour, Mrs Edward’s first words were:
“It will be too far for you to walk to Guildford so late in the day, Mr Samuel. It were better for you to sleep here; Mr Edwards will give you a letter of explanation to Mr Curtis.”