They vindicated him against the base aspersion.

"No, it by no means wanted strength--it was not a large hand, but very clear and certainly strong.

Had not Mrs.Weston any letter about her to produce ?" No, she had heard from him very lately, but having answered the letter, had put it away.
"If we were in the other room," said Emma, "if I had my writing-desk, I am sure I could produce a specimen.

I have a note of his .-- Do not you remember, Mrs.Weston, employing him to write for you one day ?" "He chose to say he was employed"-- "Well, well, I have that note; and can shew it after dinner to convince Mr.Knightley." "Oh! when a gallant young man, like Mr.Frank Churchill," said Mr.
Knightley dryly, "writes to a fair lady like Miss Woodhouse, he will, of course, put forth his best." Dinner was on table .-- Mrs.Elton, before she could be spoken to, was ready; and before Mr.Woodhouse had reached her with his request to be allowed to hand her into the dining-parlour, was saying-- "Must I go first?
I really am ashamed of always leading the way." Jane's solicitude about fetching her own letters had not escaped Emma.
She had heard and seen it all; and felt some curiosity to know whether the wet walk of this morning had produced any.

She suspected that it _had_; that it would not have been so resolutely encountered but in full expectation of hearing from some one very dear, and that it had not been in vain.