It was not possible that the occurrence should not be strongly recommending each to the other.
In the few minutes' conversation which she had yet had with him, while Harriet had been partially insensible, he had spoken of her terror, her naivete, her fervour as she seized and clung to his arm, with a sensibility amused and delighted; and just at last, after Harriet's own account had been given, he had expressed his indignation at the abominable folly of Miss Bickerton in the warmest terms.

Every thing was to take its natural course, however, neither impelled nor assisted.
She would not stir a step, nor drop a hint.

No, she had had enough of interference.

There could be no harm in a scheme, a mere passive scheme.
It was no more than a wish.

Beyond it she would on no account proceed.
Emma's first resolution was to keep her father from the knowledge of what had passed,--aware of the anxiety and alarm it would occasion: but she soon felt that concealment must be impossible.