A variety of evils crossed his mind.

Interference--fruitless interference.

Emma's confusion, and the acknowledged intimacy, seemed to declare her affection engaged.

Yet he would speak.

He owed it to her, to risk any thing that might be involved in an unwelcome interference, rather than her welfare; to encounter any thing, rather than the remembrance of neglect in such a cause.
"My dear Emma," said he at last, with earnest kindness, "do you think you perfectly understand the degree of acquaintance between the gentleman and lady we have been speaking of ?" "Between Mr.Frank Churchill and Miss Fairfax?
Oh! yes, perfectly .-- Why do you make a doubt of it ?" "Have you never at any time had reason to think that he admired her, or that she admired him ?" "Never, never!" she cried with a most open eagerness--"Never, for the twentieth part of a moment, did such an idea occur to me.