“I had no notion that he liked me so very much,” said Harriet, contemplating the letter. For a little while Emma persevered in her silence; but beginning to apprehend the bewitching flattery of that letter might be too powerful, she thought it best to say,

“I lay it down as a general rule, Harriet, that if a woman doubts as to whether she should accept a man or not, she certainly ought to refuse him. If she can hesitate as to ‘Yes,’ she ought to say ‘No’ directly. It is not a state to be safely entered into with doubtful feelings, with half a heart. I thought it my duty as a friend, and older than yourself, to say thus much to you. But do not imagine that I want to influence you.”

“Oh! no, I am sure you are a great deal too kind to⁠—but if you would just advise me what I had best do⁠—No, no, I do not mean that⁠—As you say, one’s mind ought to be quite made up⁠—One should not be hesitating⁠—It is a very serious thing.⁠—It will be safer to say ‘No,’ perhaps.⁠—Do you think I had better say ‘No?’ ”