"So I remember to have heard. He will find an addition to the society of Highbury when he comes again; that is, if I may presume to call myself an addition. But perhaps he may never have heard of there being such a creature in the world."
This was too loud a call for a compliment to be passed by, and Mr. Weston, with a very good grace, immediately exclaimed,
"My dear madam! Nobody but yourself could imagine such a thing possible. Not heard of you!——I believe Mrs. Weston’s letters lately have been full of very little else than Mrs. Elton."
He had done his duty and could return to his son.
She was stopped by a slight fit of coughing, and Mr. Weston instantly seized the opportunity of going on.
Mr. Weston was musing.
They were interrupted. Tea was carrying round, and Mr. Weston, having said all that he wanted, soon took the opportunity of walking away.
Mr. John Knightley proved more talkative than his brother. He was to leave them early the next day; and he soon began with——