he
were left to himself; and though there was no being attached to the aunt, he
acknowledged her kindness with gratitude, and seemed to mean always to speak of
her with respect. This was all very promising; and, but for such an unfortunate
fancy for having his hair cut, there was nothing to denote him unworthy of the
distinguished honour which her imagination had given him; the honour, if not of
being really in love with her, of being at least very near it, and saved only by
her own indifference - (for still her resolution held of never marrying) - the
honour, in short, of being marked out for her by all their joint acquaintance.
    Mr. Weston, on his side, added a virtue to the account which must have some
weight. He gave her to understand that Frank admired her extremely - thought her
very beautiful and very charming; and with so much to be said for him
altogether, she found she must not judge him harshly. As Mrs. Weston observed,
»all young people would have their little whims.«
    There was one person among his new acquaintance in Surry, not so leniently
disposed. In general he was judged, throughout the parishes of Donwell and
Highbury, with great candour; liberal allowances were made for the little
excesses of such a handsome young man - one who smiled so often and bowed so
well; but there was one spirit among them not to be softened, from its power of
censure, by bows or smiles - Mr. Knightley. The circumstance was told him at
Hartfield; for the moment, he was silent; but Emma heard him almost immediately
afterwards say to himself, over a newspaper he held in his hand, »Hum! just the
trifling, silly fellow I took him for.« She had half a mind to resent; but an
instant's observation convinced her that it was really said only to relieve his
own feelings, and not meant to provoke; and therefore she let it pass.
    Although in one instance the bearers of not good tidings, Mr. and Mrs.
Weston's visit this morning was in another respect particularly opportune.
Something occurred while they were at Hartfield, to make Emma want their advice;
and, which was still more lucky, she wanted exactly the advice they gave.
    This was the occurrence: - The Coles had been settled some years in
Highbury, and were very good sort of people - friendly, liberal, and
unpretending; but, on the other hand, they were of low origin, in trade, and
only moderately genteel. On their