her own scanty rule of good-breeding. I
cannot imagine that she will not be continually insulting her visitor with
praise, encouragement, and offers of service; that she will not be continually
detailing her magnificent intentions, from the procuring her a permanent
situation to the including her in those delightful exploring parties which are
to take place in the barouche-landau.«
    »Jane Fairfax has feeling,« said Mr. Knightley - »I do not accuse her of
want of feeling. Her sensibilities, I suspect, are strong - and her temper
excellent in its power of forbearance, patience, self-controul; but it wants
openness. She is reserved, more reserved, I think, than she used to be - And I
love an open temper. No - till Cole alluded to my supposed attachment, it had
never entered my head. I saw Jane Fairfax and conversed with her, with
admiration and pleasure always - but with no thought beyond.«
    »Well, Mrs. Weston,« said Emma triumphantly when he left them, »what do you
say now to Mr. Knightley's marrying Jane Fairfax?«
    »Why really, dear Emma, I say that he is so very much occupied by the idea
of not being in love with her, that I should not wonder if it were to end in his
being so at last. Do not beat me.«
 

                                  Chapter XVI.

Every body in and about Highbury who had ever visited Mr. Elton, was disposed to
pay him attention on his marriage. Dinner-parties and evening-parties were made
for him and his lady; and invitations flowed in so fast that she had soon the
pleasure of apprehending they were never to have a disengaged day.
    »I see how it is,« said she. »I see what a life I am to lead among you. Upon
my word we shall be absolutely dissipated. We really seem quite the fashion. If
this is living in the country, it is nothing very formidable. From Monday next
to Saturday, I assure you we have not a disengaged day! - A woman with fewer
resources than I have, need not have been at a loss.«
    No invitation came amiss to her. Her Bath habits made evening-parties
perfectly natural to her, and Maple Grove had given her a taste for dinners. She
was a little shocked at the want of two drawing rooms, at the poor attempt at
rout-cakes, and there being no ice in the Highbury card parties. Mrs. Bates,
Mrs. Perry, Mrs. Goddard and others, were