Emma turned round to look at her in consternation, and hastily said, "Have you any idea of Mr.Knightley's returning your affection ?" "Yes," replied Harriet modestly, but not fearfully--"I must say that I have." Emma's eyes were instantly withdrawn; and she sat silently meditating, in a fixed attitude, for a few minutes.

A few minutes were sufficient for making her acquainted with her own heart.

A mind like hers, once opening to suspicion, made rapid progress.

She touched--she admitted--she acknowledged the whole truth.

Why was it so much worse that Harriet should be in love with Mr.Knightley, than with Frank Churchill?
Why was the evil so dreadfully increased by Harriet's having some hope of a return?
It darted through her, with the speed of an arrow, that Mr.Knightley must marry no one but herself! Her own conduct, as well as her own heart, was before her in the same few minutes.