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visible alteration of feature； chuckled thrice audibly。 This nearest
approach to a laugh in which he ever indulged （and that but
seldom and only on extreme occasions）； never even curled his lip
or effected the smallest change in—no； not so much as a slight
wagging of—his great； fat； double chin； which at these times； as at
all others； remained a perfect desert in the broad map of his face；
one changeless； dull； tremendous blank。
Lest it should be matter of surprise to any； that Mr Willet
adopted this bold course in opposition to one whom he had often
entertained； and who had always paid his way at the Maypole
gallantly； it may be remarked that it was his very penetration and
sagacity in this respect； which occasioned him to indulge in those
unusual demonstrations of jocularity； just now recorded。 For Mr
Willet； after carefully balancing father and son in his mental
scales； had arrived at the distinct conclusion that the old
gentleman was a better sort of a customer than the young one。
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Throwing his landlord into the same scale； which was already
turned by this consideration； and heaping upon him； again； his
strong desires to run counter to the unfortunate Joe； and his
opposition as a general principle to all matters of love and
matrimony； it went down to the very ground straightway； and sent
the light cause of the younger gentleman flying upwards to the
ceiling。 Mr Chester was not the kind of man to be by any means
dim…sighted to Mr Willet’s motives； but he thanked him as
graciously as if he had been one of the most disinterested martyrs
that ever shone on earth； and leaving him； with many
complimentary reliances on his great taste and judgment； to
prepare whatever dinner he might deem most fitting the occasion；
bent his steps towards the Warren。
Dressed with more than his usual elegance； assuming a
gracefulness of manner； which； though it was the result of long
study； sat easily upon him and became him well； composing his
features into their most serene and prepossessing expression； and
setting in short that guard upon himself； at every point； which
denoted that he attached no slight importance to the impression
he was about to make； he entered the bounds of Miss Haredale’s
usual walk。 He had not gone far； or looked about him long； when
he descried coming towards him； a female figure。 A glimpse of the
form and dress as she crossed a little wooden bridge which lay
between them； satisfied him that he had found her whom he
desired to see。 He threw himself in her way； and a very few paces
brought them close together。
He raised his hat from his head； and yielding the path； suffered
her to pass him。 Then； as if the idea had but that moment occurred
to him； he turned hastily back and said in an agitated voice：
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‘I beg pardon—do I address Miss Haredale？’
She stopped in some confusion at being so unexpectedly
accosted by a stranger； and answered ‘Yes。’
‘Something told me；’ he said； looking a compliment to her
beauty； ‘that it could be no other。 Miss Haredale； I bear a name
which is not unknown to you—which it is a pride； and yet a pain to
me to know； sounds pleasantly in your ears。 I am a man advanced
in life； as you see。 I am the father of him whom you honour and
distinguish above all other men。 May I for weighty reasons which
fill me with distress； beg but a minute’s conversation with you
here？’
Who that was inexperienced in deceit； and had a frank and
youthful heart； could doubt the speaker’s truth—could doubt it
too； when the voice that spoke； was like the faint echo of one she
knew so well； and so much loved to hear？ She inclined her head；
and stopping； cast her eyes upon the ground。
‘A little more apart—among these trees。 It is an old man’s hand；
Miss Haredale； an honest one； believe me。’
She put hers in it as he said these words； and suffered him to
lead her to a neighbouring seat。
‘You alarm me； sir；’ she said in a low voice。 ‘You are not the
bearer of any ill news； I hope？’
‘Of none that you anticipate；’ he answered； sitting down beside
her。 ‘Edward is well—quite well。 It is of him I wish to speak；
certainly； but I have no misfortune to communicate。’
She bowed her head again； and made as though she would have
begged him to proceed； but said nothing。
‘I am sensible that I speak to you at a disadvantage； dear Miss
Haredale。 Believe me that I am not so forgetful of the feelings of
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my younger days as not to know that you are little disposed to
view me with favour。 You have heard me described as cold…
hearted； calculating； selfish—’
‘I have never； sir；’—she interposed with an altered manner and
a firmer voice； ‘I have never heard you spoken of in harsh or
disrespectful terms。 You do a great wrong to Edward’s nature if
you believe him capable of any mean or base proceeding。’
‘Pardon me； my sweet young lady； but your uncle—’
‘Nor is it my uncle’s nature either；’ she replied； with a
heightened colour in her cheek。 ‘It is not his nature to stab in the
dark； nor is it mine to love such deeds。’
She rose as she spoke； and would have left him； but he detained
her with a gentle hand； and besought her in such persuasive
accents to hear him but another minute； that she was easily
prevailed upon to comply； and so sat down again。
‘And it is；’ said Mr Chester； looking upward； and apostrophising
the air； ‘it is this frank； ingenuous； noble nature； Ned； that you can
wound so lightly。 Shame—shame upon you； boy！’
She turned towards him quickly； and with a scornful look and
flashing eyes。 There were tears in Mr Chester’s eyes； but he
dashed them hurriedly away； as though unwilling that his
weakness should be known； and regarded her with mingled
admiration and compassion。
‘I never until now；’ he said； ‘believed； that the frivolous actions
of a young man could move me like these of my own son。 I never
knew till now； the worth of a woman’s heart； which boys so lightly
win； and lightly fling away。 Trust me； dear young lady； that I never
until now did know your worth； and though an abhorrence of
deceit and falsehood has impelled me to seek you out； and would
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have done so had you been the poorest and least gifted of your sex；
I should have lacked the fortitude to sustain this interview could I
have pictured you to my imagination as you really are。’
Oh！ If Mrs Varden could have seen the virtuous gentleman as
he said these words； with indignation sparkling from his eyes—if
she could have heard his broken； quavering voice—if she could
have beheld him as he stood bareheaded in the sunlight； and with
unwonted energy poured forth his eloquence！
With a haughty face； but pale and trembling too； Emma
regarded him in silence。 She neither spoke nor moved； but gazed
upon him as though she would look into his heart。
‘I throw off；’ said Mr Chester； ‘the restraint which natural
affection would impos