Mr. Knightley’s Diary

"And she has achieved her goal," I said ruefully.

"If the carriage-horse recovers in time, she can arrive in state."

"No, she has already decided on her mode of transport. She has decided she is going to arrive on a donkey."

"A donkey?" asked Emma in astonishment.

"You are to say nothing," I warned her, feeling the laughter welling up in me again. "She wants everyone to come on a donkey: Miss Fairfax, Miss Bates…"

"And Mr. Elton?"

"No. Her caro sposo is going to walk beside her."

"I think it an excellent plan," she said gravely. "We must all have donkeys. I am sure Miss Bates would enjoy the experience, and Mrs. Goddard would look very well in the saddle - if, indeed, donkeys wear saddles. I mean to purchase a donkey this afternoon, and I hope I may not disgrace you by my seat when you walk next to me, Mr. K."

"Oh, Emma!" I said. "Don"t…" marry Churchill, marry me, I was going to say. The words were on the tip of my tongue, but at that moment, Harriet walked into the room.

I had never been so dismayed to see her in my life.

"I have found the silk you asked for - oh, Mr. Knightley," she said.

I believe she knew she had interrupted something important, for she blushed.

"Thank you, Harriet. Mr. Knightley has come with excellent news. We are to spend a day at Donwell Abbey, picking strawberries."

"Oh, that will be lovely," said Harriet, her eyes shining as she looked at me.

I was even more sure that she suspected my secret, for her shining eyes indicated that she expected me to propose to Emma at the Abbey.

Before she could say anything further, Mr. Woodhouse joined us, and Emma turned to him solicitously.

"Is Perry not with you?"

"No, my dear, he has had to go on his rounds. He is very busy. I am not surprised. His advice is sought everywhere."

"What did he say to you?" she asked.

"He was very pleased. There has been some improvement since the last time he saw me. He congratulated me, and told me that my diet played a large part in my constitution. If only I could persuade you to eat more gruel, I am sure you would be better for it," he said.

"I believe I will join you in a bowl tonight. But what do you think? We have a treat in store. Mr. Knightley has invited us to the Abbey," she said.

"Ah, Mr. Knightley, I am a sad invalid," he said, shaking his head as though I had invited him to his own funeral.

"But there has been some improvement, Perry said so, and it is not so very far to the Abbey," Emma said. "Mr. Knightley will do everything he can to make you comfortable."

I added my pleas, and at last he said he would venture out. Emma was very pleased, as he has not been to the Abbey in two years, and I was pleased to have given her pleasure.

Mr. and Mrs. Weston arrived shortly afterwards, and accepted an invitation to join us. Weston said he would invite Frank for me, and it was impossible for me to refuse his offer, but I consoled myself with the thought that his son might not come.

We settled on the twenty-fourth for the visit. It cannot be sooner, for I will have things to arrange.

Mr. Woodhouse’s comfort must be provided for, and the Abbey must be made ready for guests.

Monday 14 June

I called at Hartfield this morning, hoping to speak to Emma, but she had gone out. I walked into Highbury on business and called on Miss Bates. I was hoping to see Emma, but although she had called, she was no longer there. I listened to Miss Bates’s chatter with half a mind.

Longridge has chosen a house at last, it seems. He has settled on Southdean, the house of which

Miss Bates herself is particularly fond. It has a large garden, with a stream, well-proportioned rooms, and comfortable servants" quarters. I think he will be an addition to Highbury society.

Tuesday 15 June

Robert Martin came to see me on a matter of business this morning, and I was struck again with his loyalty to Harriet. He did not, like Mr. Elton, rush out to find a wife as soon as his hand was refused. He is a good-enough-looking man, with a prosperous living, and there are a number of young ladies in Highbury who would be flattered by his attentions, but I am convinced he still thinks of Harriet. He has read the books she recommended, though goodness knows what pleasure or information he has received from The Romance of the Forest, and he has encouraged his sisters to remain friendly with her. It is just a pity that he could not have rescued her from the gypsies, because if it had fallen to him to be her champion, then I am sure his work would have been done.

But he is a sensible man. He can see that Harriet belongs with him, and I am convinced he is biding his time.

In this, I hope to do him a good turn. Abbey Mill Farm is plainly visible from the Abbey, and when Harriet comes strawberry-picking, I hope to draw her attention to it.

Further than this I will not go; but Emma has meddled in separating them, and I think I may be forgiven for meddling in some small way to bring them back together.

Tuesday 22 June