LIII

that it would be a great deal better for her to remain single; and told of poor Isabella, and poor Miss Taylor.⁠—But it would not do. Emma hung about him affectionately, and smiled, and said it must be so; and that he must not class her with Isabella and Mrs. Weston, whose marriages taking them from Hartfield, had, indeed, made a melancholy change: but she was not going from Hartfield; she should be always there; she was introducing no change in their numbers or their comforts but for the better; and she was very sure that he would be a great deal the happier for having Mr. Knightley always at hand, when he were once got used to the idea.⁠—Did he not love Mr. Knightley very much?⁠—He would not deny that he did, she was sure.⁠—Whom did he ever want to consult on business but Mr. Knightley?⁠—Who was so useful to him, who so ready to write his letters, who so glad to assist him?⁠—Who so cheerful, so attentive, so attached to him?⁠—Would not he like to have him always on the spot?⁠—Yes. That was all very true. Mr. Knightley could not be there too often; he should be glad to see him every day;⁠—but they did see him every day as it was.⁠—Why could not they go on as they had done?