“Yes, he has been gone just four weeks, as you observe, Miss Woodhouse,” said Miss Bates, “four weeks yesterday.⁠—A Miss Hawkins!⁠—Well, I had always rather fancied it would be some young lady hereabouts; not that I ever⁠— Mrs. Cole once whispered to me⁠—but I immediately said, ‘No, Mr. Elton is a most worthy young man⁠—but’⁠—In short, I do not think I am particularly quick at those sort of discoveries. I do not pretend to it. What is before me, I see. At the same time, nobody could wonder if Mr. Elton should have aspired⁠—Miss Woodhouse lets me chatter on, so good-humouredly. She knows I would not offend for the world. How does Miss Smith do? She seems quite recovered now. Have you heard from Mrs. John Knightley lately? Oh! those dear little children. Jane, do you know I always fancy Mr. Dixon like Mr. John Knightley. I mean in person⁠—tall, and with that sort of look⁠—and not very talkative.”