Mr. Knightley’s Diary

I talked to John and Isabella. John felt we should go ahead, and that when it was done, we would hear no more sighs; and Isabella said she wanted her sister to know the happiness she herself had known. But Emma was firm. She felt that her father had had to suffer one marriage already, that of Mrs. Weston, and that he had been made anxious by the news of two more, so that to force him to confront a third, and one so near to home, was a cruelty she could not bring herself to inflict on him.

We parted unhappily, and I can see no way forward. But we must find one, for I am determined to make her my wife.

Monday 20 September

Today Robert Martin was married. What a splendid outcome to all the tribulations of the year! He has proved steadfast in his love, and Harriet could not have looked happier when she became Mrs. Martin. It is not to be wondered at. She is moving into a family who sincerely love her, and who will make her happy. And she will have the added blessing of knowing she is bestowing happiness by being there.

Mr. Elton performed the service, and he did it very well. No recollections were allowed to interfere with his duty, and he behaved as a gentleman and clergyman should. It was something of a relief, as I wondered whether some trace of hostility would be evident, but all the misunderstandings are so long ago, or he is so aware of his duties, that nothing of that nature was allowed to intrude.

Harriet looked very pretty in white, and Robert’s sisters, who attended her, were equally pretty in blue. I will venture to say it was a wedding enjoyed by all, though Mr. Woodhouse sighed over it, and added "Poor Harriet!" to his collection of young ladies to pity.

But Robert’s wedding has made me even more impatient for my own.

Saturday 25 September

There must be something in the air, for when I visited Longridge at Southdean this afternoon on parish business, I found him in the drawing-room, hand in hand with Miss Bates!

Miss Bates, saying: "Oh, Mr. Knightley, whatever will you think!" blushed a deep crimson.

"I beg your pardon," I said retreating, but his words stopped me.

"No, Mr. Knightley, do not go. I will explain everything," said Longridge. He turned to Miss Bates.

"You will not object to Mr. Knightley’s knowing?"

"No indeed, I am sure - so good, so kind to Jane - so good to Mother."

"Wonderful woman," said Longridge, wiping his eyes. "And she has made me the happiest of men."

I was struck dumb. I had never suspected! I had seen Longridge paying attention to Miss Bates for months, and I had attributed it to kindness, and nothing more. But as soon as he had told me the news, I thought she was the very woman to make him happy, and he the very man for her.

Miss Bates began to murmur with embarrassment: "Too kind - past the first flush of youth - hope my friends will not find it too ridiculous..."

"Your friends will be as delighted as I am!" I said, congratulating her heartily. "It is a wonderful piece of news."

She smiled, and blushed, and said: "So kind, but then you have always been so kind, Mr. Knightley.

I am sure I do not know what I have done to deserve this."

"There is no one who deserves such happiness more," I told her.

"There, Hetty, you see, my dear, I told you how it would be. All our friends are pleased for us. I never thought, when I lost my dear wife, that I would meet another such woman," said Longridge. "One who was interested in all the details of life, and who took such pleasure in them. One who never thought of herself, but always of others. One who could bring such happiness to an old man."

"Come! You are not old," I said.

"I"m past my prime, but even so, I can give my dear Hetty a good life," he said, pressing her hand.

"It’s a comfort to me, Mr. Knightley, to be able to do that for her, and it’s a small recompense for the joy she brings to me."

"And Mrs. Bates?" I asked.

"She"ll live here with us. We"ve plenty of room. There’s a room for Frank and Jane, too, whenever they choose to come, and a spare or two for when they bring their children with them! I"m a lucky man, Mr. Knightley. In marrying my dear Hetty, I"ll have not only a cheerful wife, but I"ll have a mother and a niece as well. And in the future, God willing, the house will have children playing in it. I little thought, when I came to Highbury a year ago, that this would be the result."

"I am very happy for you," I said, shaking his hand heartily.

Miss Bates stood by, and if I needed proof that her feelings were genuinely touched, I had this; that she spoke not once during his recital.

"We"re saying nothing yet. My dear Hetty wishes it that way," he said. "We don"t want to take anything away from the young people. Let them have their glory. Then, when it’s all done, Hetty and I will marry quietly. I hope we can prevail upon you to come to the wedding?"

"Yes, indeed you can."