s engagement seemed to give fresh
pleasure to the present meeting. Mrs. Weston informed her that she was going to
call on the Bateses, in order to hear the new instrument.
    »For my companion tells me,« said she, »that I absolutely promised Miss
Bates last night, that I would come this morning. I was not aware of it myself.
I did not know that I had fixed a day, but as he says I did, I am going now.«
    »And while Mrs. Weston pays her visit, I may be allowed, I hope,« said Frank
Churchill, »to join your party and wait for her at Hartfield - if you are going
home.«
    Mrs. Weston was disappointed.
    »I thought you meant to go with me. They would be very much pleased.«
    »Me! I should be quite in the way. But, perhaps - I may be equally in the
way here. Miss Woodhouse looks as if she did not want me. My aunt always sends
me off when she is shopping. She says I fidget her to death; and Miss Woodhouse
looks as if she could almost say the same. What am I to do?«
    »I am here on no business of my own,« said Emma, »I am only waiting for my
friend. She will probably have soon done, and then we shall go home. But you had
better go with Mrs. Weston and hear the instrument.«
    »Well - if you advise it. - But (with a smile) if Col. Campbell should have
employed a careless friend, and if it should prove to have an indifferent tone -
what shall I say? I shall be no support to Mrs. Weston. She might do very well
by herself. A disagreeable truth would be palateable through her lips, but I am
the wretchedest being in the world at a civil falsehood.«
    »I do not believe any such thing,« replied Emma. - »I am persuaded that you
can be as insincere as your neighbours, when it is necessary; but there is no
reason to suppose the instrument is indifferent. Quite otherwise indeed, if I
understood Miss Fairfax's opinion last night.«
    »Do come with me,« said Mrs. Weston, »if it be not very disagreeable to you.
It need not detain us long. We will go to Hartfield afterwards. We will follow
them to Hartfield. I really wish you to call with me. It will be felt so great
an attention! and I always thought you
