Mr. Elton looked all happiness at this proposition; and nothing could exceed his alertness and attention in conducting them into his house and endeavouring to make everything appear to advantage.
The room they were taken into was the one he chiefly occupied, and looking forwards; behind it was another with which it immediately communicated; the door between them was open, and Emma passed into it with the housekeeper to receive her assistance in the most comfortable manner.
She was obliged to leave the door ajar as she found it; but she fully intended that Mr. Elton should close it. It was not closed, however, it still remained ajar; but by engaging the housekeeper in incessant conversation, she hoped to make it practicable for him to choose his own subject in the adjoining room.
For ten minutes she could hear nothing but herself. It could be protracted no longer. She was then obliged to be finished, and make her appearance.
Los amantes estaban juntos en una de las ventanas.
Tenía una orientación de lo más favorable; y, durante medio minuto, Emma experimentó la gloria de haber urdido un plan con éxito.
Pero no servía de nada; él no había llegado al grano. Había sido de lo más amable, de lo más encantador; le había dicho a Harriet que los había visto pasar y que las había seguido a propósito; se habían soltado otras pequeñas galanterías y alusiones, pero nada serio.
—Cautelosa, muy cautelosa —pensó Emma—; avanza pulgada a pulgada y no se jugará nada hasta creer que está seguro.
Sin embargo, aunque no todo se hubiera logrado con su ingenioso ardid, no podía menos que halagarse a sí misma pensando que este había sido la