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"Thank you," said he, in an accent of deep mortification, and not another syllable followed

E to confide in her--perhaps to consult her;--cost her what it would, she would listen She ht give just praise to Harriet, or, by representing to him his own independence, relieve him from that state of indecision, which must be more intolerable than any alternative to such ain, I suppose?" said he

"No,"--replied Emma--quite confirmed by the depressed manner in which he still spoke--"I should like to take another turn Mr Perry is not gone" And, after proceeding a few steps, she added-- "I stopped you ungraciously, just now, Mr Knightley, and, I aave you pain--But if you have any wish to speak openly tothat you may have in contemplation--as a friend, indeed, you may command me--I will hear whatever you like I will tell you exactly what I think"

"As a friend!"--repeated Mr Knightley--"Emma, that I fear is a word--No, I have no wish--Stay, yes, why should I hesitate?-- I have gone too far already for concealment--Emma, I accept your offer-Extraordinary as it may seem, I accept it, and refer myself to you as a friend--Tell ?"

He stopped in his earnestness to look the question, and the expression of his eyes overpowered her

"My dearest Emma," said he, "for dearest you will always be, whatever the event of this hour's conversation, my dearest, most beloved Emma--tell me at once Say 'No,' if it is to be said"-- She could really say nothing--"You are silent," he cried, with great animation; "absolutely silent! at present I ask no itation of thisawakened fro

"I cannot make speeches, Emma:" he soon resuible tenderness as was tolerably convincing--"If I loved you less, I ht be able to talk about itbut truth from me--I have blamed you, and lectured you, and you have borne it as no other woland would have borne it-- Bear with the truths I would tell you now, dearest Emma, as well as you have borne with them The manner, perhaps, may have as little to recommend them God knows, I have been a very indifferent lover-- But you understand s--and will return them if you can At present, I ask only to hear, once to hear your voice"