.
    »I often feel concerned,« said she, »that I dare not make our carriage more
useful on such occasions. It is not that I am without the wish; but you know how
impossible my father would deem it that James should put-to for such a purpose.«
    »Quite out of the question, quite out of the question,« he replied; - »but
you must often wish it, I am sure.« And he smiled with such seeming pleasure at
the conviction, that she must proceed another step.
    »This present from the Campbells,« said she - »This pianoforté is very
kindly given.«
    »Yes,« he replied, and without the smallest apparent embarrassment. - »But
they would have done better had they given her notice of it. Surprizes are
foolish things. The pleasure is not enhanced, and the inconvenience is often
considerable. I should have expected better judgment in Colonel Campbell.«
    From that moment, Emma could have taken her oath that Mr. Knightley had had
no concern in giving the instrument. But whether he were entirely free from
peculiar attachment - whether there were no actual preference - remained a
little longer doubtful. Towards the end of Jane's second song, her voice grew
thick.
    »That will do,« said he, when it was finished, thinking aloud - »You have
sung quite enough for one evening - now, be quiet.«
    Another song, however, was soon begged for. »One more; - they would not
fatigue Miss Fairfax on any account, and would only ask for one more.« And Frank
Churchill was heard to say, »I think you could manage this without effort; the
first part is so very trifling. The strength of the song falls on the second.«
    Mr. Knightley grew angry.
    »That fellow,« said he, indignantly, »thinks of nothing but shewing off his
own voice. This must not be.« And touching Miss Bates, who at that moment passed
near - »Miss Bates, are you mad, to let your niece sing herself hoarse in this
manner? Go, and interfere. They have no mercy on her.«
    Miss Bates, in her real anxiety for Jane, could hardly stay even to be
grateful, before she stept forward and put an end to all further singing. Here
ceased the concert part of the evening, for Miss Woodhouse and Miss Fairfax were
the only young-lady-performers; but soon (within five minutes) the proposal of
dancing - originating nobody exactly knew where -
