Chapter 17

           Mr.andMrs.JohnKnightleywerenotdetainedlongatHartfield.Theweathersoonimprovedenoughforthosetomovewhomustmove;andMr.Woodhousehaving,asusual,triedtopersuadehisdaughtertostaybehindwithallherchildren,wasobligedtoseethewholepartysetoff,andreturntohislamentationsoverthedestinyofpoorIsabella—whichpoorIsabella,passingherlifewiththoseshedoatedon,fulloftheirmerits,blindtotheirfaults,andalwaysinnocentlybusy,mighthavebeenamodelofrightfemininehappiness.

           TheeveningoftheverydayonwhichtheywentbroughtanotefromMr.EltontoMr.Woodhouse,along,civil,ceremoniousnote,tosay,withMr.Elton’sbestcompliments,"thathewasproposingtoleaveHighburythefollowingmorninginhiswaytoBath;where,incompliancewiththepressingentreatiesofsomefriends,hehadengagedtospendafewweeks,andverymuchregrettedtheimpossibilityhewasunder,fromvariouscircumstancesofweatherandbusiness,oftakingapersonalleaveofMr.Woodhouse,ofwhosefriendlycivilitiesheshouldeverretainagratefulsense—andhadMr.Woodhouseanycommands,shouldbehappytoattendtothem."

           Emmawasmostagreeablysurprized.—Mr.Elton’sabsencejustatthistimewastheverythingtobedesired.Sheadmiredhimforcontrivingit,thoughnotabletogivehimmuchcreditforthemannerinwhichitwasannounced.