Page:Jane Austen (Sarah Fanny Malden 1889).djvu/155

 flirtation with Emma in order to cover his real attraction at Highbury; and both the Westons and Emma believe him to be seriously falling in love with the latter. Emma, having much time on her hands, and a lively imagination, tries to convince herself that she is falling in love with him; and her attempt at this is an excellent passage in the book. She is quite unsuspicious of his secret engagement, in spite of the sharp-sightedness on which she prides herself, but the real superiority of her own nature enables her to see a certain shallowness in his. Quite unconsciously to herself, she is always comparing him with Mr. Knightley, and the comparison is not favourable to Frank; but, having made up her mind that she will not marry at present, and that Frank is in love with her, she magnanimously decides not to give him any further encouragement, and begins to consider if he could be induced to fall in love with Harriet Smith. On her own side she honestly believes that she has fallen in love with him—which she has never done for a moment—and considers herself heroic for determining not to leave her father. Meanwhile Mr. Elton has returned to Highbury with his bride, and Emma feels bound to call upon her. Mrs. Elton duly returns the visit, and Emma tries to be civil.

I do not ask whether you are musical, Mrs. Elton; upon these occasions a lady's character generally precedes her, and Highbury has long known that you are a superior performer.'

Oh, no, indeed; I must protest against any such idea, A superior performer!—very far from it, I assure you; consider from how partial a quarter your information came. I am doatingly fond of music—passionately fond; and my friends say I am not entirely