 should be any thing like doubt in the case,« replied Emma;
»but am disposed to side with you, Mr. Weston. If you think he will come, I
shall think so too; for you know Enscombe.«
    »Yes - I have some right to that knowledge; though I have never been at the
place in my life. - She is an odd woman! - But I never allow myself to speak ill
of her, on Frank's account; for I do believe her to be very fond of him. I used
to think she was not capable of being fond of any body, except herself: but she
has always been kind to him (in her way - allowing for little whims and
caprices, and expecting every thing to be as she likes). And it is no small
credit, in my opinion, to him, that he should excite such an affection; for,
though I would not say it to any body else, she has no more heart than a stone
to people in general; and the devil of a temper.«
    Emma liked the subject so well, that she began upon it, to Mrs. Weston, very
soon after their moving into the drawing-room: wishing her joy - yet observing,
that she knew the first meeting must be rather alarming. - Mrs. Weston agreed to
it; but added, that she should be very glad to be secure of undergoing the
anxiety of a first meeting at the time talked of: »for I cannot depend upon his
coming. I cannot be so sanguine as Mr. Weston. I am very much afraid that it
will all end in nothing. Mr. Weston, I dare say, has been telling you exactly
how the matter stands.«
    »Yes - it seems to depend upon nothing but the ill-humour of Mrs. Churchill,
which I imagine to be the most certain thing in the world.«
    »My Emma!« replied Mrs. Weston, smiling, »what is the certainty of caprice?«
Then turning to Isabella, who had not been attending before - »You must know, my
dear Mrs. Knightley, that we are by no means so sure of seeing Mr. Frank
Churchill, in my opinion, as his father thinks. It depends entirely upon his
aunt's spirits and pleasure; in short, upon her temper. To you - to my two
daughters, I may venture on the truth. Mrs. Churchill rules at Enscombe, and is
a very odd-tempered woman; and his coming now, depends
