, but whether he
wishes it; and I think he does. I have heard him speak, and so must you, so very
highly of Jane Fairfax! The interest he takes in her - his anxiety about her
health - his concern that she should have no happier prospect! I have heard him
express himself so warmly on those points! - Such an admirer of her performance
on the pianoforté, and of her voice! I have heard him say that he could listen
to her for ever. Oh! and I had almost forgotten one idea that occurred to me -
this pianoforté that has been sent her by somebody - though we have all been so
well satisfied to consider it a present from the Campbells, may it not be from
Mr. Knightley? I cannot help suspecting him. I think he is just the person to do
it, even without being in love.«
    »Then it can be no argument to prove that he is in love. But I do not think
it is at all a likely thing for him to do. Mr. Knightley does nothing
mysteriously.«
    »I have heard him lamenting her having no instrument repeatedly; oftener
than I should suppose such a circumstance would, in the common course of things,
occur to him.«
    »Very well; and if he had intended to give her one, he would have told her
so.«
    »There might be scruples of delicacy, my dear Emma. I have a very strong
notion that it comes from him. I am sure he was particularly silent when Mrs.
Cole told us of it at dinner.«
    »You take up an idea, Mrs. Weston, and run away with it; as you have many a
time reproached me with doing. I see no sign of attachment - I believe nothing
of the pianoforté - and proof only shall convince me that Mr. Knightley has any
thought of marrying Jane Fairfax.«
    They combated the point some time longer in the same way; Emma rather
gaining ground over the mind of her friend; for Mrs. Weston was the most used of
the two to yield; till a little bustle in the room shewed them that tea was
over, and the instrument in preparation; - and at the same moment Mr. Cole
approaching to entreat Miss Woodhouse would do them the honour of trying it.
Frank Churchill, of whom, in the eagerness of her conversation with Mrs. Weston,
she had been seeing nothing, except that he had found a seat by Miss Fairfax,
followed Mr. Cole, to add his very pressing entreaties; and as, in
