Mr. Knightley’s Diary

"We are so glad, Mr. Knightley," said Miss Bates. "We are to have her for a full three months. She still does not look well. No, Jane, my love, you do not, though you protest you are very well indeed. When you were altering my gloves for me - such wonderful gloves, Mr. Knightley, quite the warmest I have ever worn, and bought from Ford’s, but just a little big around the wrist, and Jane kindly offered to take them in for me, as she was mending Mother’s petticoat anyway, and who should walk in but Mr. Longridge. A very kind gentleman, Mother is quite besotted with him - yes, you are, Mother, you know you are, for he comes and sits here for an hour or two together, and we are always glad of company, Mr. Knightley. He has asked me to give him my opinion on another house, Whitestones, you will know it Mr. Knightley, the Dodds have been renting it out but their tenants have left and they have decided to sell it. It seems a fine house to me but it is perhaps a little large for a single gentlemen. And then there is another house I have promised to see next week, Southdean, a pretty house with a stream, you know. I have always liked that house. It is not so grand as Whitestones, but I often used to think, when I was a girl, if I could choose a house to live in, that would be it. I painted it once, though not as well as Jane, she sketched it when she was eleven years old, do you remember, Jane? I believe I still have the picture somewhere, though I cannot remember where. I remember Mother saying to me…."

She paused for breath, and evidently did not remember what she had been saying, which gave me an opportunity to ask Miss Fairfax: "Will you be joining the Campbells again when your stay in Highbury is finished?"

"Yes for a little while. But I would rather not think of that," she remarked.

I said no more, as I did not wish to distress her. I wish I could offer her a home at the Abbey, but it is impossible.

"Oh, Jane, I know what I forgot to say. I meant to mention it but Mr. Knightley’s visit put it out of my mind - so kind of you, Mr. Knightley! So obliging! - I sent a reply to Mrs. Elton for you, you were out when her message arrived. She asks you to tea. Such an elegant woman! Such refinement! I am sure I never saw a better woman in my life, and it is always good to have a bride in the neighbourhood, is it not, Mr. Knightley? Jane must want to be with younger people, and not always shut up with her grandmother and her aunt, though I am sure her grandmother is the best woman in the world..."

"And so is her aunt," said Miss Fairfax with an affectionate smile.

"Oh, Jane, my love, I am sure I do not know - well - have you finished your sewing?"

And so she went on, spreading goodwill with every word but saying very little. Despite Miss

Fairfax’s affectionate smile, I could tell that her aunt’s constant chatter wearied her.

I did not envy her. A choice of spending an hour with Mrs. Elton, or an hour with her relations, was not a happy one.

I only wish Emma would take more notice of her. An afternoon at Hartfield would be far more enjoyable for Miss Fairfax than an afternoon at the vicarage or at home.

Saturday 3 April

There has been a heartening piece of news, one to gladden everybody in Highbury, and one to make me forget my own problems for a while. It is as I suspected. Mrs. Weston is expecting a child! The Westons have known for some time, but have told no one. Now, however, they have broken their silence, knowing it could not be disguised for much longer.

Emma was smiling as I met her just outside Randalls. I was coming out of the gate as she, accompanied by Harriet, was going in.

"This is good news!" I said.

"Very good news," she agreed.

"You will have to make some more caps."

"I have started one already, and so has Harriet!"

"Very well done," I said.

Harriet blushed and murmured something I did not catch.

We parted, I to go on business, and Emma to go in to see her friend.

Monday 5 April

Today was like spring, warm and sunny. I rode round the estate with William Larkins and we made sure that everything was in order. The farms were flourishing, and it did my heart good to see them. There is nothing like being in England in the spring.

Weston felt the same. He was very expansive this evening, and was more than usually talkative when I joined him for dinner.

Emma was there, and looking well. We spoke of many things, including Miss Fairfax.

"I wonder that Jane Fairfax spends so much time with Mrs. Elton," said Emma.

"We cannot suppose that she has any great enjoyment at the vicarage, my dear Emma," said Mrs.

Weston, "but it is better than being always at home."