
expression to the steady eyes of the artist. But there was no doing anything,
with Mr. Elton fidgetting behind her and watching every touch. She gave him
credit for stationing himself where he might gaze and gaze again without
offence; but was really obliged to put an end to it, and request him to place
himself elsewhere. It then occurred to her to employ him in reading.
    »If he would be so good as to read to them, it would be a kindness indeed!
It would amuse away the difficulties of her part, and lessen the irksomeness of
Miss Smith's.«
    Mr. Elton was only too happy. Harriet listened, and Emma drew in peace. She
must allow him to be still frequently coming to look; anything less would
certainly have been too little in a lover; and he was ready at the smallest
intermission of the pencil, to jump up and see the progress, and be charmed. -
There was no being displeased with such an encourager, for his admiration made
him discern a likeness almost before it was possible. She could not respect his
eye, but his love and his complaisance were unexceptionable.
    The sitting was altogether very satisfactory; she was quite enough pleased
with the first day's sketch to wish to go on. There was no want of likeness, she
had been fortunate in the attitude, and as she meant to throw in a little
improvement to the figure, to give a little more height, and considerably more
elegance, she had great confidence of its being in every way a pretty drawing at
last, and of its filling its destined place with credit to them both - a
standing memorial of the beauty of one, the skill of the other, and the
friendship of both; with as many other agreeable associations as Mr. Elton's
very promising attachment was likely to add.
    Harriet was to sit again the next day; and Mr. Elton, just as he ought,
entreated for the permission of attending and reading to them again.
    »By all means. We shall be most happy to consider you as one of the party.«
    The same civilities and courtesies, the same success and satisfaction, took
place on the morrow, and accompanied the whole progress of the picture, which
was rapid and happy. Every body who saw it was pleased, but Mr. Elton was in
continual raptures, and defended it through every criticism.
    »Miss Woodhouse has given her friend the only beauty she wanted,« - observed
Mrs. Weston to him - not in the least suspecting that she was addressing a
lover.
