Emma

isit from the Sucklings, and of the use to be made of their barouche-landau; and Jane Fairfax was still at her grandmother's; and as the return of the Campbells from Irela

ave herself from being hurried into a

story. But while so many were devoting him to Emma, and Emma herself making him over to Harriet, Mr. Knightley began to suspect him of some inclination to trifle with Jane Fairfax. He could not understand it; but there were symptoms of intelligence between them-he thought so at least-symptoms of admiration on his side, which, having once observed, he could not persuade himself to think entirely void of meaning, however he might wish to escape any of Emm

reating w

g a something of private liking, of private unde

e early, as the weather threatened rain; Mr. and Mrs. Weston and their son, Miss Bates and her niece, who had accidentally met. They all united; and, on reaching Hartfield gates, Emma, who knew it was exactly the sort of visiting that would be welcome to her fat

ds, Mr. Perry passed by on horsebac

s. Weston presently, "what became of Mr.

and said, "I did not know th

u. You wrote me word o

impos

Mrs. Perry had told somebody, and was extremely happy about it. It was owing to her persuasion, as

ever heard of it

dreamt it-but I was completely persuaded-Miss Smith, you walk as

and a carriage? Is Perry going to set up his carriage, Frank?

ers to Enscombe, many weeks ago, with all these particulars-but as she declares she never heard a syllable of it before, of course it must have been a dream. I am

carriage! and his wife's persuading him to it, out of care for his health-just what will happen, I have no doubt, some time or other; only a little premature. What an air of probability sometimes runs

her guests to prepare her father for their appear

ought of about three days. Mrs. Perry was very anxious that he should have a carriage, and came to my mother in great spirits one morning because she thought she had prevailed. Jane, don't you remember grandmama's telling us of it when we got home? I forget where we had been walking to-very likely to Randalls; yes, I think it was to Randalls. Mrs. Perry was always particularly fond of my mother-indeed I do not know who is not-and she had mentioned it to her in confidence; she had no objection to her telling us, of course, but it was not to go

had involuntarily turned to hers; but she was indeed behind, and too busy with her shawl. Mr. Weston had walked in. The two other gentlemen waited at the door to let her pass. Mr. Knightley s

circular table which Emma had introduced at Hartfield, and which none but Emma could have had power to place there and persuade her father to use, instead

en away their alphabets-their box of letters? It used to stand here. Where is it? This is a sort of dull-looking evening, that oug

er, or for any body else who would be puzzled. The quietness of the game made it particularly eligible for Mr. Woodhouse, who had often been distressed by the more animated sort, which Mr. Weston had occasionally introduced

m sight, she should have looked on the table instead of looking just across, for it was not mixed; and Harriet, eager after every fresh word, and finding out none, directly took it up, and fell to work. She was sitting by Mr. Knightley, and turned to him for help. The word was blunder; and as Harriet exultingly proclaimed it, there was a blush on Jane's cheek which gave it a meaning not otherwise ostensible. Mr. Knightley

and demure. He saw that Emma had soon made it out, and found it highly entertaining, though it was something which she judged it proper to appear to censure; for she said, "Nonsense! for shame!" He he

y possible moment for darting his eye towards it, and it was not long before he saw it to be Dixon. Jane Fairfax's perception seemed to accompany his; her comprehension was certainly more equal to the covert meaning, the superior intelligence, of those five letters so arranged. She was evidently displeased; looked up, and seeing herself

o say the same thing. It is time for us to be going indeed. The evening is closing in, and grandma

she could not get away; and Mr. Knightley thought he saw another collection of letters anxiously pushed towards her, and resolutely swept away by her unexamined. She wa

e to assist his observations, he must-yes, he certainly must, as a friend-an anxious friend-give Emma some hint, ask h

of the last word given to you and Miss Fairfax? I saw the word, and am curious to know

the true explanation; for though her suspicions were by no mea

rrassment, "it all meant nothin

avely, "seemed confined t

mind. Interference-fruitless interference. Emma's confusion, and the acknowledged intimacy, seemed to declare her affection engaged. Yet he would speak. He owed it to her,

you think you perfectly understand the degree of acquainta

Miss Fairfax? Oh! yes, perfectl

reason to think that he admire

r, for the twentieth part of a moment, did such an idea oc

attachment between them-certain expressive look

appearances which have caught you, have arisen from some peculiar circumstances-feelings rather of a totally different nature-it is impossible exactly to explain:-there is a good deal of nonsense in it-but the part which is capable of being communicated, which

ribed, and all the wheres and hows of a circumstance which highly entertained her: but his gaiety did not meet hers. He found he could not be useful, and his feelings were too much irritated for talking. That he might not be irri