Austen Said:

Emma began, looking also at Mrs. Weston; but stopped,

on perceiving that

and the pause gave her time to reflect,

Mrs. Weston was disengaged and Emma began again—

said Mr. Knightley.

This was not submitted to by either lady. They vindicated him against the base aspersion. "No, it by no means wanted strength— it was not a large hand, but very clear and certainly strong. Had not Mrs. Weston any letter about her to produce?" No, she had heard from him very lately, but having answered the letter, had put it away.

said Emma,

said Mr. Knightley dryly,

Dinner was on table.—Mrs. Elton, before she could be spoken to, was ready; and before

Mr. Woodhouse

had reached her with

his request

was saying—

Jane's solicitude

had not escaped Emma.

She

had heard and seen it all; and

felt some curiosity

She suspected that

that

that

She thought

but she abstained.

She was quite determined

and they followed the other ladies out of the room, arm in arm, with an appearance of good-will highly becoming to the beauty and grace of each.

When the ladies returned to the drawing-room after dinner,

Emma found it hardly possible

were long under discussion; and to them succeeded one, which must be at least equally unpleasant to Jane—

inquiries

and

professions of

said she,

said Jane, shaking her head;

said Jane.

replied Jane;

repeated Mrs. Elton.

said Jane,

replied Mrs. Elton gaily,

In this style she ran on; never thoroughly stopped by any thing till Mr. Woodhouse came into the room; her vanity had then a change of object, and Emma heard her saying in the same half-whisper to Jane,

The whole party were but just reassembled in the drawing-room when Mr. Weston made his appearance among them.

He had been too much expected by the best judges, for surprize— but there was great joy. Mr. Woodhouse was almost as glad to see him now, as he would have been sorry to see him before.

John Knightley only was in mute astonishment.—

was a circumstance to strike him deeply.

John Knightley looked at him with amazement, then shrugged his shoulders, and said,

Mr. Weston meanwhile, perfectly unsuspicious of the indignation he was exciting, happy and cheerful as usual, and with all the right of being principal talker, which a day spent anywhere from home confers, was making himself agreeable among the rest; and having satisfied the inquiries of his wife as to his dinner, convincing her that none of all her careful directions to the servants had been forgotten, and spread abroad what public news he had heard, was proceeding to a family communication, which, though principally addressed to Mrs. Weston,

He gave her a letter,

said he,

The two ladies looked over it together; and he sat smiling and talking to them the whole time, in a voice a little subdued, but very audible to every body.

Mrs. Weston was most comfortably pleased on the occasion. Her looks and words had nothing to restrain them. She was happy, she knew she was happy, and knew she ought to be happy. Her congratulations were warm and open; but Emma could not speak so fluently. She was a little occupied in weighing her own feelings, and trying to understand the degree of her agitation, which she rather thought was considerable.

Mr. Weston, however, too eager to be very observant, too communicative to want others to talk, was very well satisfied with what she did say, and soon moved away to make the rest of his friends happy by a partial communication of what the whole room must have overheard already.