Host (Jane Austen Bedtime Stories)

Encouragement.

give you encouragement sir you have been entirely mistaken in supposing it I have seen you only as the admirer of my friend in no other light could you have been more to me than a common acquaintance

I am exceedingly sorry, but it is well that the mistake ends where it does.

Had the same behaviour continued, Miss Smith might have been led into a misconception of your views, not being aware, probably any more than myself, of the very great inequality which you are so sensible of.

But, as it is, the disappointment is single, and I trust will not be lasting.

I have no thoughts of matrimony at present.

he was too angry to say another word.

Hermanna too decided to invite supplication, and in this state of swelling resentment and mutually deep mortification, they had to continue together a few minutes longer, for the fears of Mr. Woodhouse had confined them to a foot pace.

If there had not been so much anger, there would have been desperate awkwardness,

but their straightforward emotions left no room for the little zigzags of embarrassment.

Without knowing when the carriage turned into Vicarage Lane or when it stopped, they found themselves all at once at the door of his house and he was out before another syllable passed.

Emma then felt it indispensable to wish him a good night.

The compliment was just returned, coldly and proudly, and under indescribable irritation of spirits, she was then conveyed to Hartfield.

There she was welcomed with the utmost delight by her father, who had been trembling for the dangers of a solitary drive from Vicarage Lane, turning a corner which he could never bear to think of

and in strange hands a mere common coachman, no James.

And there it seemed as if her return only were wanted to make everything go well, for Mr. John Knightley, ashamed of his ill-humour, was now all kindness and attention.

and so particularly solicitous for the comfort of her father, as to seem, if not quite ready to join him in a basin of gruel, perfectly sensible of its being exceedingly wholesome, and the day was concluding in peace and comfort to all their little party, except herself.

But her mind had never been in such perturbation, and it needed a very strong effort to appear attentive and cheerful, till the usual hour of separating allowed her the relief of quiet reflection.