Emma then looked up, and immediately saw how it was; and after a moment’s debate, as to whether it should pass unnoticed or not, replied,
"Never marry!——This is a new resolution."
"It is one that I shall never change, however."
After another short hesitation, "I hope it does not proceed from—— I hope it is not in compliment to Mr. Elton?"
"Mr. Elton indeed!" cried Harriet indignantly.——"Oh! no"——and Emma could just catch the words, "so superior to Mr. Elton!"
"Harriet, I will not affect to be in doubt of your meaning. Your resolution, or rather your expectation of never marrying, results from an idea that the person whom you might prefer, would be too greatly your superior in situation to think of you. Is not it so?"
"Oh! Miss Woodhouse, believe me I have not the presumption to suppose—— Indeed I am not so mad.——But it is a pleasure to me to admire him at a distance——and to think of his infinite superiority to all the rest of the world, with the gratitude, wonder, and veneration, which are so proper, in me especially."