Austen Said:

His first proposition and request, that

that

met with the readiest acquiescence. Mr. Weston entered into the idea with thorough enjoyment, and

Mrs. Weston most willingly undertook

and the interesting employment had followed, of reckoning up exactly who there would be, and portioning out the indispensable division of space to every couple.

had been repeated many times over.

But soon it came to be on one side,

On another,

Somebody said that

Somebody else believed

A word was put in for a second young Cox; and at last, Mr. Weston naming one family of cousins who must be included, and another of very old acquaintance who could not be left out, it became a certainty that the five couple would be at least ten, and a very interesting speculation in what possible manner they could be disposed of.

The doors of the two rooms were just opposite each other.

It seemed the best scheme; and yet it was not so good but that many of them wanted a better. Emma said it would be awkward; Mrs. Weston was in distress about the supper; and Mr. Woodhouse opposed it earnestly, on the score of health. It made him so very unhappy, indeed, that it could not be persevered in.

said he;

(speaking lower)

Mrs. Weston was sorry for such a charge. She knew the importance of it, and said every thing in her power to do it away. Every door was now closed, the passage plan given up, and the first scheme of dancing only in the room they were in resorted to again; and with such good-will on Frank Churchill's part, that the space which a quarter of an hour before had been deemed barely sufficient for five couple, was now endeavoured to be made out quite enough for ten.

said he.

Emma demurred.

he gravely replied;

But still he went on measuring, and still he ended with,

said she,

he replied.

Emma perceived that the nature of his gallantry was a little self-willed, and that he would rather oppose than lose the pleasure of dancing with her; but she took the compliment, and forgave the rest.

Before the middle of the next day, he was at Hartfield; and he entered the room with such an agreeable smile as certified the continuance of the scheme. It soon appeared that he came to announce an improvement.

he almost immediately began,

She was obliged to repeat and explain it, before it was fully comprehended; and then, being quite new, farther representations were necessary to make it acceptable.

said Frank Churchill,

said Mr. Woodhouse, rather warmly,

interrupted Emma,

said Frank Churchill,

Emma was most happy to be called to such a council; and her father, engaging to think it all over while she was gone, the two young people set off together without delay for the Crown. There were Mr. and Mrs. Weston; delighted to see her and receive her approbation, very busy and very happy in their different way; she, in some little distress; and he, finding every thing perfect.

said she,

said her husband.

One perplexity, however, arose, which the gentlemen did not disdain. It regarded a supper-room. At the time of the ballroom's being built, suppers had not been in question; and a small card-room adjoining, was the only addition. What was to be done? This card-room would be wanted as a card-room now; or, if cards were conveniently voted unnecessary by their four selves, still was it not too small for any comfortable supper? Another room of much better size might be secured for the purpose; but it was at the other end of the house, and a long awkward passage must be gone through to get at it. This made a difficulty. Mrs. Weston was afraid of draughts for the young people in that passage; and neither Emma nor the gentlemen could tolerate the prospect of being miserably crowded at supper.

Mrs. Weston proposed

but that was scouted as a wretched suggestion. A private dance, without sitting down to supper, was pronounced an infamous fraud upon the rights of men and women; and Mrs. Weston must not speak of it again. She then took another line of expediency, and looking into the doubtful room, observed,

And Mr. Weston at the same time, walking briskly with long steps through the passage, was calling out,

said Mrs. Weston,

cried Frank,

aid Mrs. Weston rather hesitating,

said Emma.

Here Mr. Weston joined them, and on hearing what was proposed, gave it his decided approbation.

And away he ran.

Long before he reappeared, attending the short, neat, brisk-moving aunt, and her elegant niece,—

Mrs. Weston,

like a sweet-tempered woman and a good wife, had examined the passage again, and

found

and here ended the difficulties of decision. All the rest, in speculation at least, was perfectly smooth. All the minor arrangements of table and chair, lights and music, tea and supper, made themselves; or were left as mere trifles to be settled at any time between Mrs. Weston and Mrs. Stokes.—Every body invited, was certainly to come;

Frank

And a delightful dance it was to be.