XLVII

give it every bad name in the world. Some portion of respect for herself, however, in spite of all these demerits⁠—some concern for her own appearance, and a strong sense of justice by Harriet⁠—(there would be no need of compassion to the girl who believed herself loved by Mr. Knightley⁠—but justice required that she should not be made unhappy by any coldness now,) gave Emma the resolution to sit and endure farther with calmness, with even apparent kindness.⁠—For her own advantage indeed, it was fit that the utmost extent of Harriet’s hopes should be enquired into; and Harriet had done nothing to forfeit the regard and interest which had been so voluntarily formed and maintained⁠—or to deserve to be slighted by the person, whose counsels had never led her right.⁠—Rousing from reflection, therefore, and subduing her emotion, she turned to Harriet again, and, in a more inviting accent, renewed the conversation; for as to the subject which had first introduced it, the wonderful story of Jane Fairfax, that was quite sunk and lost.⁠—Neither of them thought but of Mr. Knightley and themselves.