Chapter 17

           Whentheladiesreturnedtothedrawing-roomafterdinner,Emmafoundithardlypossibletopreventtheirmakingtwodistinctparties—withsomuchperseveranceinjudgingandbehavingilldidMrs.EltonengrossJaneFairfaxandslightherself.SheandMrs.Westonwereobligedtobealmostalwayseithertalkingtogetherorsilenttogether.Mrs.Eltonleftthemnochoice.IfJanerepressedherforalittletime,shesoonbeganagain;andthoughmuchthatpassedbetweenthemwasinahalf-whisper,especiallyonMrs.Elton’sside,therewasnoavoidingaknowledgeoftheirprincipalsubjects:Thepost-office—catchingcold—fetchingletters—andfriendship,werelongunderdiscussion;andtothemsucceededone,whichmustbeatleastequallyunpleasanttoJane—inquirieswhethershehadyetheardofanysituationlikelytosuither,andprofessionsofMrs.Elton’smeditatedactivity.

           "HereisAprilcome!"saidshe,"Igetquiteanxiousaboutyou.Junewillsoonbehere."

           "ButIhaveneverfixedonJuneoranyothermonth—merelylookedforwardtothesummeringeneral."

           "Buthaveyoureallyheardofnothing?"

           "Ihavenotevenmadeanyinquiry;Idonotwishtomakeanyyet."

           "Oh!mydear,wecannotbegintooearly;youarenotawareofthedifficultyofprocuringexactlythedesirablething."

           "Inotaware!"saidJane,shakingherhead;"dearMrs.