It was all read, however, steadily, attentively, and without the smallest remark; and, excepting one momentary glance at her, instantly withdrawn, in the fear of giving pain-no remembrance of Box Hill seemed to exist.
"There is no saying much for the delicacy of our good friends, the Eltons," was his next observation.-"His feelings are natural.-What! actually resolve to break with him entirely!-She felt the engagement to be a source of repentance and misery to each-she dissolved it.-What a view this gives of her sense of his behaviour!-Well, he must be a most extraordinary-"
"Nay, nay, read on.-You will find how very much he suffers."
"I hope he does," replied Mr. Knightley coolly, and resuming the letter.
"`Smallridge!'-What does this mean? What is all this?"
"She had engaged to go as governess to Mrs. Smallridge's children-a dear friend of Mrs. Elton's-a neighbour of Maple Grove; and, by the bye, I wonder how Mrs. Elton bears the disappointment?"
"Say nothing, my dear Emma, while you oblige me to read-not even of Mrs. Elton. Only one page more. I shall soon have done.
What a letter the man writes!"
"I wish you would read it with a kinder spirit towards him."
"Well, there is feeling here.-He does seem to have suffered in finding her ill.-Certainly, I can have no doubt of his being fond of her. `Dearer, much dearer than ever.' I hope he may long continue to feel all the value of such a reconciliation.-He is a very liberal thanker, with his thousands and tens of thousands.-`Happier than I deserve.'