It was as much as Emma could bear, without being impolite. The idea of her being indebted to Mrs. Elton for what was called an introduction ⁠—of her going into public under the auspices of a friend of Mrs. Elton’s⁠—probably some vulgar, dashing widow, who, with the help of a boarder, just made a shift to live!⁠—The dignity of Miss Woodhouse, of Hartfield, was sunk indeed!

She restrained herself, however, from any of the reproofs she could have given, and only thanked Mrs. Elton coolly; “but their going to Bath was quite out of the question; and she was not perfectly convinced that the place might suit her better than her father.” And then, to prevent farther outrage and indignation, changed the subject directly.