The rest of the gentlemen being now in the room, Emma found herself obliged to turn from him for a few minutes, and listen to Mr. Cole. When Mr. Cole had moved away, and her attention could be restored as before, she saw Frank Churchill looking intently across the room at Miss Fairfax, who was sitting exactly opposite.

“What is the matter?” said she.

He started. “Thank you for rousing me,” he replied. “I believe I have been very rude; but really Miss Fairfax has done her hair in so odd a way⁠—so very odd a way⁠—that I cannot keep my eyes from her. I never saw anything so outré!⁠—Those curls!⁠—This must be a fancy of her own. I see nobody else looking like her!⁠—I must go and ask her whether it is an Irish fashion. Shall I?⁠—Yes, I will⁠—I declare I will⁠—and you shall see how she takes it;⁠—whether she colours.”