 what is so evidently,
so palpably desirable - what courts the pre-arrangement of other people, should
so immediately shape itself into the proper form. You and Mr. Elton are by
situation called together; you belong to one another by every circumstance of
your respective homes. Your marrying will be equal to the match at Randalls.
There does seem to be a something in the air of Hartfield which gives love
exactly the right direction, and sends it into the very channel where it ought
to flow.
 
The course of true love never did run smooth -
 
A Hartfield edition of Shakespeare would have a long note on that passage.«
    »That Mr. Elton should really be in love with me, - me, of all people, who
did not know him, to speak to him, at Michaelmas! And he, the very handsomest
man that ever was, and a man that every body looks up to, quite like Mr.
Knightley! His company so sought after, that every body says he need not eat a
single meal by himself if he does not chuse it; that he has more invitations
than there are days in the week. And so excellent in the Church! Miss Nash has
put down all the texts he has ever preached from since he came to Highbury. Dear
me! When I look back to the first time I saw him! How little did I think! - The
two Abbotts and I ran into the front room and peeped through the blind when we
heard he was going by, and Miss Nash came and scolded us away, and staid to look
through herself; however, she called me back presently, and let me look too,
which was very good-natured. And how beautiful we thought he looked! He was arm
in arm with Mr. Cole.«
    »This is an alliance which, whoever - whatever your friends may be, must be
agreeable to them, provided at least they have common sense; and we are not to
be addressing our conduct to fools. If they are anxious to see you happily
married, here is a man whose amiable character gives every assurance of it; - if
they wish to have you settled in the same country and circle which they have
chosen to place you in, here it will be accomplished; and if their only object
is that you should, in the common phrase, be well married, here is the
comfortable fortune, the respectable establishment, the rise in the world which
must satisfy them.«
    »Yes, very true. How nicely you talk; I love to hear you. You
