Host (Jane Austen Bedtime Stories)

She felt that half this folly must be drunkenness, and therefore could hope that it might belong only to the passing hour.

Accordingly, with a mixture of the serious and the playful, which she hoped would best suit his half and half state, she replied, I am very much astonished, Mr. Elton.

This to me.

You forget yourself.

You take me for my friend.

Any message to Miss Smith I shall be happy to deliver, but no more of this to me, if you please.

"'Miss Smith!

Message to Miss Smith!

What could she possibly mean?'

And he repeated her words with such assurance of accent, such boastful pretense of amazement, that she could not help replying with quickness.

"'Mr.

Elton, this is the most extraordinary conduct, and I can account for it only in one way,'

You are not yourself, or you could not speak either to me or of Harriet in such a manner.

Command yourself enough to say no more, and I will endeavor to forget it.

But Mr. Elton had only drunk wine enough to elevate his spirits, not at all to confuse his intellects.

He perfectly knew his own meaning, and having warmly protested against her suspicion as most injurious, and slightly touched upon his respect for Miss Smith as her friend, but acknowledging his wonder that Miss Smith should be mentioned at all, he resumed the subject of his own passion, and was very urgent for a favourable answer.

As she thought less of his inebriety, she thought more of his inconstancy and presumption, and with fewer struggles for politeness replied, ''It is impossible for me to doubt any longer.

You have made yourself too clear.

Mr. Elton, my astonishment is much beyond anything I can express.''

After such behavior as I have witnessed during the last month, to miss Smith, such attentions as I have been in the daily habit of observing, to be addressing me in this manner, this is an unsteadiness of character indeed, which I had not supposed possible.