Chapter 15

           Emmawasnotrequired,byanysubsequentdiscovery,toretractherillopinionofMrs.Elton.Herobservationhadbeenprettycorrect.SuchasMrs.Eltonappearedtoheronthissecondinterview,suchsheappearedwhenevertheymetagain—self-important,presuming,familiar,ignorant,andill-bred.Shehadalittlebeautyandalittleaccomplishment,butsolittlejudgmentthatshethoughtherselfcomingwithsuperiorknowledgeoftheworld,toenlivenandimproveacountryneighbourhood;andconceivedMissHawkinstohaveheldsuchaplaceinsocietyasMrs.Elton’sconsequenceonlycouldsurpass.

           TherewasnoreasontosupposeMr.Eltonthoughtatalldifferentlyfromhiswife.Heseemednotmerelyhappywithher,butproud.HehadtheairofcongratulatinghimselfonhavingbroughtsuchawomantoHighbury,asnotevenMissWoodhousecouldequal;andthegreaterpartofhernewacquaintance,disposedtocommend,ornotinthehabitofjudging,followingtheleadofMissBates’sgood-will,ortakingitforgrantedthatthebridemustbeascleverandasagreeableassheprofessedherself,wereverywellsatisfied;sothatMrs.Elton’spraisepassedfromonemouthtoanotherasitoughttodo,unimpededbyMissWoodhouse,whoreadilycontinuedherfirstcontributionandtalkedwithagoodgraceofherbeing"verypleasantandveryelegantlydressed."

           InonerespectMrs.Eltongrewevenworsethanshehadappearedatfirst.HerfeelingsalteredtowardsEmma.