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She understood it all; and as far as her e itself fros, she acknowledged that Jane Fairfax would have neither elevation nor happiness beyond her desert But poor Harriet was such an engrossing charge! There was little sympathy to be spared for any body else Emma was sadly fearful that this second disappoint the very superior clai by its apparently stronger effect on Harriet'sreserve and self-command, it would-- She must communicate the painful truth, however, and as soon as possible An injunction of secresy had been a words "For the present, the whole affair was to be completely a secret Mr Churchill had made a point of it, as a token of respect to the wife he had so very recently lost; and every body admitted it to be no more than due decorum"-- Emma had promised; but still Harriet must be excepted It was her superior duty

In spite of her vexation, she could not help feeling it almost ridiculous, that she should have the very sa and delicate office to perforh by herself The intelligence, which had been so anxiously announced to her, she was now to be anxiously announcing to another Her heart beat quick on hearing Harriet's footstep and voice; so, she supposed, had poor Mrs Weston felt when _she_ was approaching Randalls Could the event of the disclosure bear an equal resemblance!-- But of that, unfortunately, there could be no chance

"Well, Miss Woodhouse!" cried Harriet, coerly into the room-"is not this the oddest news that ever was?"

"What news do you uess, by look or voice, whether Harriet could indeed have received any hint

"About Jane Fairfax Did you ever hear any thing so strange? Oh!--you need not be afraid of owning it to me, for Mr Weston has told reat secret; and, therefore, I should not think ofit to any body but you, but he said you knew it"

"What did Mr Weston tell you?"--said Emma, still perplexed

"Oh! he told me all about it; that Jane Fairfax and Mr Frank Churchill are to be ed to one another this long while How very odd!"