Austen Said:

Emma knew that she had, but would not own it; and Mr. Elton warmly added,

said Mr. Woodhouse.

cried Mr. Elton,

The next thing wanted was to get the picture framed; and here were a few difficulties. It must be done directly; it must be done in London; the order must go through the hands of some intelligent person whose taste could be depended on; and Isabella, the usual doer of all commissions, must not be applied to, because it was December, and Mr. Woodhouse could not bear the idea of her stirring out of her house in the fogs of December. But no sooner was the distress known to Mr. Elton, than it was removed. His gallantry was always on the alert.

brought on the desired repetition of entreaties and assurances,—and a very few minutes settled the business.

Mr. Elton was to take the drawing to London, chuse the frame, and give the directions; and

Emma thought

while he seemed mostly fearful of not being incommoded enough.

said he with a tender sigh, as he received it.

thought Emma.

The very day of Mr. Elton's going to London produced a fresh occasion for Emma's services towards her friend. Harriet had been at Hartfield, as usual, soon after breakfast; and, after a time, had gone home to return again to dinner: she returned, and sooner than had been talked of, and with an agitated, hurried look, announcing something extraordinary to have happened which she was longing to tell. Half a minute brought it all out.

She had heard,

as soon as she got back to Mrs. Goddard's,

that

Emma was half-ashamed of her friend for seeming so pleased and so doubtful.

she cried,

cried Harriet.

Emma was not sorry to be pressed.

She

read, and

was surprized.

She paused over it, while Harriet stood anxiously watching for her opinion, with a

and was at last forced to add,

replied Emma rather slowly—

(returning it,)

said the still waiting Harriet;—

said Harriet, looking down.

Harriet was silent. With a little reserve of manner, Emma continued:

said Harriet, contemplating the letter. For a little while Emma persevered in her silence; but

beginning to apprehend

said Emma, smiling graciously,

The symptoms were favourable.—Instead of answering, Harriet turned away confused, and stood thoughtfully by the fire; and though the letter was still in her hand, it was now mechanically twisted about without regard. Emma waited the result with impatience, but not without strong hopes. At last, with some hesitation, Harriet said—

Harriet had not surmised her own danger, but the idea of it struck her forcibly.

she cried, looking aghast.

said Harriet, her conscience opposing such censure;

Emma assured her

and

advised

which was agreed to, in the hope of her assistance; and though Emma continued to protest against any assistance being wanted, it was in fact given in the formation of every sentence. The looking over his letter again, in replying to it, had such a softening tendency, that it was particularly necessary to brace her up with a few decisive expressions; and

she was so very much concerned at

and

thought so much of

and

was so anxious that

that Emma believed

This letter, however, was written, and sealed, and sent.

She was rather low all the evening, but Emma could allow for her amiable regrets, and sometimes relieved them by speaking of her own affection, sometimes by bringing forward the idea of Mr. Elton.

was said in rather a sorrowful tone.

Some time afterwards it was,

Harriet blushed and smiled, and