Sam was walking along the High Street of Guildford just as the coach
drove up to the stage; and, for the moment, thinking less of anything
in the world than of Emma, when, to his amazement, she suddenly
appeared on the platform. Hastening forward, he lifted her down; but
seeing she could scarcely maintain her composure, forbore to question
her, and, drawing her hand within his arm, he led her home.
He now lived entirely with Mr. Curtis at his residence, in a quiet
suburban road, not far off: a large, red-brick house, standing in its
own grounds, and furnished with all the comfort and suitability of
wealth and refinement. As soon as they were seated by a comfortable
fire in the library, Emma, in a few words, informed her brother of
all that had happened. He was much moved by the recital, but deeply
gratified that she had come to him at once--indeed his satisfaction
at having her would have been without bounds, had it not been for his
indignation at the conduct of Robert and Jane, and the shock he had
sustained at finding Emma travelling by herself.
Presently Mr. Curtis, who had been out, returned to the house, and
entered the room. Sam at once introduced his sister, and while sparing
her feelings as much as possible, made him acquainted with a sufficient
account of what had occurred, to let him see that it was impossible
for Emma to return to Croydon. He then announced his intention of at
once seeking for suitable lodgings for his sister and himself, but Mr.
Curtis steadily refused to countenance such an arrangement, insisting
that as he already regarded Sam as a son, he had some justification
in venturing to hope that Miss Emma might come to look on him as her
father, and in the meantime his house was as truly at her service.
Emma thanked him charmingly, but begged for permission to look for a
situation, as governess, or companion. On perceiving, however, the
mortification she was occasioning, both to Sam and Mr. Curtis, she was
soon obliged to give way.
Before very long her box was forwarded from Croydon, and both Robert
and Jane wrote more suitably than might have been expected, expressing
considerable regret that she had left them.
Emma was now more at ease than she had been since her quiet time with
Elizabeth, although she daily missed little Augusta; but her health had
been injured by all she had gone through. Her cheek, once rounded with
perfect health, was now thin and worn, and to Sam's dismay she did not
appear to be regaining her vitality as the weeks went by. In view of
her half-confession to him, he feared she was suffering from a secret
sorrow, and he and Mr. Curtis spared no effort to restore her.
Towards the end of February Elizabeth's marriage was arranged, and
Mrs. John Purvis, with whom she had been residing, and from whose
house the wedding was to take place, kindly invited the whole family,
including Augusta. Emma's embarrassment at meeting Robert and Jane
was considerably lessened by this arrangement, and she and the child
were inseparable during the few days they spent together. Penelope and
Margaret had obtained leave to be present, and both appeared improved
by having been provided with occupation, other than hunting for
husbands. Mary Edwards had also been invited, and Emma was now able to
satisfy herself that she was not wholly indifferent to Sam.
Elizabeth looked very sweet and handsome in her white bonnet and shawl,
and the bridegroom distinguished himself not a little by forgetting
neither cheque nor ring.
The sisters had been truly happy to have met together again, and their
parting was much less sorrowful than before, both bride and bridegroom
insisting that Emma should come to them in April to make her home with
them.
Poor Sam protested with no little warmth against this arrangement, but
Elizabeth was not his elder sister for nothing.
"Cannot you have some sense, Sam!" she said. "Emma is quite too pretty,
and has already been too much talked about, to be left alone with a
pair of old bachelors!--the two of you out the half of the time! Oh! I
know she can take care of herself better than could have been thought
possible--she has told me all about Captain Conway--but she should not
be left in such a position--her home is with her sister!"