thing exterior and local that could be supposed attractive, with spirit and precision.  No suspicious flourishes now of apology or concern; it was the language of real feeling towards Mrs. Weston; and the transition from Highbury to Enscombe, the contrast between the places in some of the first blessings of social life was just enough touched on to shew how keenly it was felt, and how much more might have been said but for the restraints of propriety.—­The charm of her own name was not wanting. Miss Woodhouse appeared more than once, and never without a something of pleasing connexion, either a compliment to her taste, or a remembrance of what she had said; and in the very last time of its meeting her eye, unadorned as it was by any such broad wreath of gallantry, she yet could discern the effect of her influence and acknowledge the greatest compliment perhaps of all conveyed.  Compressed into the very lowest vacant corner were these words—­“I had not a spare moment on Tuesday, as you know, for Miss Woodhouse’s beautiful little friend.  Pray make my excuses and adieus to her.”  This, Emma could not doubt, was all for herself.  Harriet was remembered only from being her friend.  His information and prospects as to Enscombe were neither worse nor better than had been anticipated; Mrs. Churchill was recovering, and he dared not yet, even in his own imagination, fix a time for coming to Randalls again.

Gratifying, however, and stimulative as was the letter in the material part, its sentiments, she yet found, when it was folded up and returned to Mrs. Weston, that it had not added any lasting warmth, that she could still do without the writer, and that he must learn to do without her.  Her intentions were unchanged.  Her resolution of refusal only grew more interesting by the addition of a scheme for his subsequent consolation and happiness.  His recollection of Harriet, and the words which clothed it, the “beautiful little friend,” suggested to her the idea of Harriet’s succeeding her in his affections.  Was it impossible?—­No.—­Harriet undoubtedly was greatly his inferior in understanding; but he had been very much struck with the loveliness of her face and the warm simplicity of her manner; and all the probabilities of circumstance and connexion were in her favour.—­For Harriet, it would be advantageous and delightful indeed.

“I must not dwell upon it,” said she.—­“I must not think of it.  I know the danger of indulging such speculations.  But stranger things have happened; and when we cease to care for each other as we do now, it will be the means of confirming us in that sort of true disinterested friendship which I can already look forward to with pleasure.”