Emma

ived; and after a morning of some anxious watching, Frank Churchill, in all the ce

treaties for her arriving there as soon as possible after themselves, for the purpose of taking her opinion as to the propriety and comfort of the rooms before any other persons came, that she could not

er carriage, which Emma could not hear the sound of at first, without great surprize. "So unreasonably early!" she was going to exclaim; but she presently found that it was a family of old friends, who were coming, like herself, by particular desire, to help Mr. Weston's judgment;

e liked his open manners, but a little less of open-heartedness would have made him a higher character.-General benevolence, but not general friendship, made a man what he ought to be.-She could fancy such a man. The whole party walked about, a

llors was not yet larger. They had stopped at Mrs. Bates's door to offer the

mind not at ease. He was looking about, he was going to the door, he was watching fo

d he. "I have a great curiosity to see Mrs. Elton, I have hear

was on the move immediate

her. I have never seen either Mr. or Mrs. Elt

ed; and all the smiles an

said Mr. Weston, looking about. "

. Elton might be; how he was affected by the studied elegance of her dress, and her smiles of graciousness. He was imm

Miss Bates must not be forgotten:" and away he went. Mr. Weston was following; but Mrs. Elton detained him, to gratify him by her opinio

very handsome young man, and his manners are precisely what I like and approve-so truly the gentleman, without the least conceit or puppyism. You must know I have a vast dislike to puppies-quite a horror of them. The

hen she got to Maple Grove, he could recollect that there were ladies

extremely expeditious!-I believe we drive faster than any body.-What a pleasure it is to send one's carriage for a friend!-I understan

Her gestures and movements might be understood by any one who looked on like Emma; but her words, every body's words, were soon lost under the incessant flow of Miss

wo such offers in one day!-Never were such neighbours. I said to my mother, 'Upon my word, ma'am-.' Thank you, my mother is remarkably well. Gone to Mr. Woodhouse's. I made her take her shawl-for the evenings are not warm-her large new shawl- Mrs. Dixon's wedding-present.-So kind of her to think of my mother! Bought at Weymouth, you know-Mr. Dixon's choice. There were three others, Jane says, which they hesitated about some time. Colonel Campbell rather preferred an olive. My dear Jane, are you sure you did not wet your feet?-It was but a drop or two, but I am so afraid:-but Mr. Frank Churchill was so extremely-and there was a mat to step upon-I shall never forget his extreme politeness.-Oh! Mr. Frank Churchill, I must tell you my mother's spectacles have never been in fault since; the rivet never came out again. My mother often talks of your good-nature. Does not she, Jane?-Do not we often talk of Mr. Frank Churchill?-Ah! here's Miss Woodhouse.-Dear Miss Woodhouse, how do you do?-Very well I thank you, quite well. This is meeting quite in fairy-land!-Such a transformation!-Must not compliment, I know (eyeing Emma most complacentl

ly and properly taken, Mrs. Elton was evidently wanting to be complimented herself-and it was, "How do you like my gown?-How do you like my trimming?-How has Wright done my hair?"-with many other relative questions, all answered with patient politeness. Mrs. Elton then said, "Nobody can think less of dress in general than I do-but upon such an occasion as this, when every bo

s, and did not want to hear more;-and the voices of the ladies were drowned for a while, till another suspension

seclusion?-I was this moment telling Jane, I though

f surprize and displeasure.-"That is easy-but M

Mrs. Elton?" said

at

e ungra

to a smile-"No, do not tell me-I do not want to know what y

n. He had met with them in a little perplexity, which must be laid before Emma. It had just occurred to Mrs. Weston that Mrs. Elton must be asked to be

artner for her?" said Mr. Weston. "Sh

e of this little rub, however, Emma was smiling with enjoyment, delighted to see the respectable length of the set as it was forming, and to feel that she had so many hours of unusual festivity before her.-She was more disturbed by Mr. Knightley's not dancing than by any thing else.-There he was, among the standers-by, where he ought not to be; he ought to be dancing,-not classing himself with the husbands, and fathers, and whist-players, who were pretending to feel an interest in the dance till their rubbers were made up,-so young as he looked!-He could not have appeared to greater advantage perhaps anywhere, than where he had placed himself. His tall, firm, upright figure, among the bulky forms and stooping shoulders of the elderly men, was such as Emma felt must draw every body's eyes; and, except

f very important, very recordable events, it was not more productive than such meetings usually are. There was one, however, which Emma thought something of.-The two last dances before supper were begun, and Harriet had no partner;-the only young lady sitting down;-and so equal had been hitherto the number of d

was working her way up from the bottom, and had therefore leisure to look around, and by only turning her head a little she saw it all. When she was half-way up the set, the whole group were exactly behind her, and she would no longer allow her eyes to watch; but Mr. Elton was so near, that she heard every syllable of a dialogue which just then took place between

you a better partner tha

h beginning to feel myself rather an old married man, and that my dancing days are over, it wo

" "Miss Smith!-oh!-I had not observed.-You are extremely obliging-and if I were not an old married man.-But my dancing days are

s was Mr. Elton! the amiable, obliging, gentle Mr. Elton.-She looked round for a moment; he had joined Mr. Knightley at a li

heart was in a glow, and she f

seldom more delighted, than at that instant. She was all pleasure and gratitude, both for Harriet and herself, and longed

for the cruel state of things before, and for the very complete enjoyment and very high sense of the distinction which her happy features a

h. She did not think he was quite so hardened as his wife, though growing very

n poor little Miss Smith!-V

ight be heard from that moment, without interruption,

all about it herself to-morrow: her first partner was Mr. Elton, I do not know who will ask her next, perhaps Mr. William Cox.' My dear sir, you are too obliging.-Is there nobody you would not rather?-I am not helpless. Sir, you are most kind. Upon my word, Jane on one arm, and me on the other!-Stop, stop, let us stand a little back, Mrs. Elton is going; dear Mrs. Elton, how elegant she looks!-Beautiful lace!-Now we all follow in her train. Quite the queen of the evening!-Well, here we are at the passage. Two steps, Jane, take care of the two steps. Oh! no, there is but one. Well, I was persuaded there were two. How very odd! I was convinced there were two, and there is but one. I never saw any thing equal to the comfort and style-Candles everywhere.-I was telling you of your grandmama, Jane,-There was a little disappointment.-The baked apples and biscuits, excellent in their way, you know; but there was a delicate fricassee of sweetbread and some asparagus

again, her eyes invited him irresistibly to come to her and be thanked. He was warm in his reprobation of Mr. El

n Harriet," said he. "Emma, why

t not to be angry with you, I suspect, whatever he may be.-To that surmise, you s

Emma, "and they c

e was a smile of indulgence

ou. I leave you to y

flatterers?-Does my vain spi

ous spirit.-If one leads you wrong,

ness about him which you discovered, and which I did not: and I was fully convinc

en for himself.-Harriet Smith has some first-rate qualities, which Mrs. Elton is totally without. An unpretending, single-minded, artless gi

nterrupted by the bustle of Mr. Weston ca

are you all doing?-Come Emma, set your companions t

id Emma, "whenev

g to dance with?"

and then replied, "With

aid he, offer

nce, and you know we are not really so much br

d sister! n