Mr. Knightley’s Diary

"No, not labour," said Miss Bates, then looked flustered when all eyes turned to her. "Oh, forgive me, Mr. Longridge, it is just that I knew that riddle as a girl:

When my first is a task to a young girl of spirit And my second confines her to finish the piece. How hard is her fate! But how great is her merit,

If by taking my all she effects her release!"

"Bless my soul! That was it!" said Mr. Longridge, much struck. "Now, what was the answer?"

The table fell to musing, and Miss Bates supplied it: "Hemlock!"

There was a murmur of approval and congratulation from around the table, and Miss Bates went pink. It was good to see her triumph, for she does not have many opportunities to appear to such advantage.

"You must give it to Miss Woodhouse the next time you see her," said Graham, and Miss Bates promised she would.

"So, have you decided whether you will settle in Highbury?" asked Graham of his friend Longridge when talk of riddles had died down.

"Yes, I have made up my mind," he said. "There is such good company - I have not enjoyed an evening so much since my wife died. It will be an upheaval, mind, and I will have to find a house..."

"We can help you with that," said Mrs. Cole.

"Yes, indeed," said Mrs. Otway. "There are many fine houses hereabouts. Three Chimneys will be available after Christmas. The Dawsons are going back to Cornwall."

"I thought they liked it here?" asked Mrs. Weston, much struck.

"So they did, but Mr. Dawson’s brother has died, and Mr. Dawson has inherited a sizeable house on the coast."

There was much interest in this, but when it had been fully discussed, the conversation returned to the subject of Three Chimneys.

"I heard the roof leaks," said Mrs. Cole.

"Not at Three Chimneys. Barrowdown has the leaking roof, and anyhow, it is not available, as the Pringles have decided not to sell."

Two more houses were dismissed in short order, Low-reach because it was too small, and Melrose because it was damp, but at last the ladies had decided on a list of five properties he should arrange to see. They were keen for Longridge to visit them right away, but he said that he did not mean to look at anything before the New Year. That did not prevent the ladies from talking about it for the rest of the evening, however.

Friday 11 December

Robert Martin called on me today to discuss the farm. I did not mention his suit as I had no wish to embarrass him, but the subject was there in both our thoughts, and after our business was concluded he addressed it manfully. Simply, and with great nobility, he told me that his suit had not prospered. I offered my condolences and we parted with the subject finished.

Robert Martin is my idea of a man. He does not shirk uncomfortable duties, but faces up to them. If Robert Martin was Frank Churchill, I am persuaded that he would have paid a visit to his new stepmother by now. He would have found time, even if he had had to travel overnight to do so. He is a sad loss to Harriet, whatever Emma thinks. He would have made her an estimable husband. And she would have made him, if not an estimable, then, at least, a pretty wife.

With these thoughts in mind, I was again in no mood to walk to Hartfield after dinner. I looked over my accounts, and then read a book instead.

Saturday 12 December

I called on Miss Bates this morning on my way into Kingston, and assured myself that the logs had arrived. I found Graham there with his sister, Mrs. Lovage, who had joined him again from Bath.

I thought of what Weston had said, and I made sure I was no more than polite when greeting her, as

I did not want to raise hopes that I had no intention of satisfying.

After exchanging civilities, I was, however, heartened by something Mrs. Lovage said.

"I saw a young friend of yours yesterday. She is very good. She was taking relief to the poor."

"What young friend do you mean?"

"I mean Miss Woodhouse, and Miss Smith was with her."

"Oh, yes, Miss Woodhouse is always so good," said Miss Bates.

"How did you come across her?" I asked.

"I happened to be walking along Vicarage Lane and I passed them going in the opposite direction. Miss Woodhouse was walking along with a little girl from one of the cottages. The child was carrying a pitcher for soup, and Miss Woodhouse was bearing her company. I thought it very good of her, for it must have been much pleasanter for her if she had walked ahead with Miss Smith and Mr. Elton."

"Mr. Elton!" I exclaimed.

"Such a good man," said Miss Bates. "Always so helpful!"

"Yes," said Mrs. Lovage, smiling at Miss Bates. Then she turned again to me. "Whether he had joined them in their charitable venture, or whether he had met them by chance, I do not know. He seemed very attentive. He slowed his pace as he tried to wait for Miss Woodhouse, but she remained behind with the child."

"Did she indeed?" I asked.