Emma could have wished Mrs.
Elton elsewhere; but she was in a humour to have patience with every body; and as Mrs.Elton met her with unusual graciousness, she hoped the rencontre would do them no harm.
She soon believed herself to penetrate Mrs.Elton's thoughts, and understand why she was, like herself, in happy spirits; it was being in Miss Fairfax's confidence, and fancying herself acquainted with what was still a secret to other people.

Emma saw symptoms of it immediately in the expression of her face; and while paying her own compliments to Mrs.
Bates, and appearing to attend to the good old lady's replies, she saw her with a sort of anxious parade of mystery fold up a letter which she had apparently been reading aloud to Miss Fairfax, and return it into the purple and gold reticule by her side, saying, with significant nods, "We can finish this some other time, you know.

You and I shall not want opportunities.

And, in fact, you have heard all the essential already.

I only wanted to prove to you that Mrs.S.admits our apology, and is not offended.