Host (Jane Austen Bedtime Stories)

It confesses that you have long understood me.

No, sir.

cried Emma.

''It confesses no such thing.

So far from having long understood you, I have been in a most complete error with respect to your views till this moment.

As to myself, I am very sorry that you should have been giving way to any feelings.''

Nothing could be farther from my wishes.

Your attachment to my friend Harriet, your pursuit of her, pursuit it appeared, gave me great pleasure, and I have been very earnestly wishing you success.

But had I supposed that she were not your attraction to Hartfield, I should certainly have thought you judged ill in making your visits so frequent."

Am I to believe that you have never sought to recommend yourself particularly to Miss Smith?

That you have never thought seriously of her?

Never, madam, cried he, affronted in his turn.

Never, I assure you.

I think seriously of Miss Smith.

Miss Smith is a very good sort of girl, and I should be happy to see her respectably settled.

I wish her extremely well, and no doubt there are men who might not object to, everybody has their level.

But as for myself, I am not, I think, quite so much at a loss.

I need not so totally despair of an equal alliance as to be addressing myself to Miss Smith.

No, madam, my visits to Hartfield have been for yourself only and the encouragement I received.

Encouragement.