 meaning to go, but not going - her father began his inquiries.
    »Well, my dear, and did you get there safely? - And how did you find my
worthy old friend and her daughter? - I dare say they must have been very much
obliged to you for coming. Dear Emma has been to call on Mrs. and Miss Bates,
Mr. Knightley, as I told you before. She is always so attentive to them!«
    Emma's colour was heightened by this unjust praise; and with a smile, and
shake of the head, which spoke much, she looked at Mr. Knightley. - It seemed as
if there were an instantaneous impression in her favour, as if his eyes received
the truth from her's, and all that had passed of good in her feelings were at
once caught and honoured. - He looked at her with a glow of regard. She was
warmly gratified - and in another moment still more so, by a little movement of
more than common friendliness on his part. - He took her hand; - whether she had
not herself made the first motion, she could not say - she might, perhaps, have
rather offered it - but he took her hand, pressed it, and certainly was on the
point of carrying it to his lips - when, from some fancy or other, he suddenly
let it go. - Why he should feel such a scruple, why he should change his mind
when it was all but done, she could not perceive. - He would have judged better,
she thought, if he had not stopped. - The intention, however, was indubitable;
and whether it was that his manners had in general so little gallantry, or
however else it happened, but she thought nothing became him more. - It was with
him, of so simple, yet so dignified a nature. - She could not but recall the
attempt with great satisfaction. It spoke such perfect amity. - He left them
immediately afterwards - gone in a moment. He always moved with the alertness of
a mind which could neither be undecided nor dilatory, but now he seemed more
sudden than usual in his disappearance.
    Emma could not regret her having gone to Miss Bates, but she wished she had
left her ten minutes earlier; - it would have been a great pleasure to talk over
Jane Fairfax's situation with Mr. Knightley. - Neither would she regret that he
should be going to Brunswick Square, for she knew how much his visit would be
enjoyed - but it might have happened at a
