 was folly
to be disturbed by it. Of course, he must be sorry to lose her - they must be
all sorry. Ambition, as well as love, had probably been mortified. They might
all have hoped to rise by Harriet's acquaintance: and besides, what was the
value of Harriet's description? - so easily pleased - so little discerning; -
what signified her praise?
    She exerted herself; and did try to make her comfortable, by considering all
that had passed as a mere trifle, and quite unworthy of being dwelt on.
    »It might be distressing, for the moment,« said she; »but you seem to have
behaved extremely well; and it is over - and may never - can never, as a first
meeting, occur again, and therefore you need not think about it.«
    Harriet said, »very true;« and she »would not think about it;« but still she
talked of it - still she could talk of nothing else; and Emma, at last, in order
to put the Martins out of her head, was obliged to hurry on the news, which she
had meant to give with so much tender caution; hardly knowing herself whether to
rejoice or be angry, ashamed or only amused, at such a state of mind in poor
Harriet - such a conclusion of Mr. Elton's importance with her!
    Mr. Elton's rights, however, gradually revived. Though she did not feel the
first intelligence as she might have done the day before, or an hour before, its
interest soon increased; and before their first conversation was over, she had
talked herself into all the sensations of curiosity, wonder and regret, pain and
pleasure, as to this fortunate Miss Hawkins, which could conduce to place the
Martins under proper subordination in her fancy.
    Emma learned to be rather glad that there had been such a meeting. It had
been serviceable in deadening the first shock, without retaining any influence
to alarm. As Harriet now lived, the Martins could not get at her, without
seeking her, where hitherto they had wanted either the courage or the
condescension to seek her; for since her refusal of the brother, the sisters had
never been at Mrs. Goddard's; and a twelvemonth might pass without their being
thrown together again, with any necessity, or even any power of speech.
 

                                  Chapter IV.

Human nature is so well disposed towards those who are in interesting
situations, that a young person, who either marries or dies, is sure of being
kindly spoken of.
