He presently added, with a smile, "I do not pretend to fix on times or places, but I must tell you that I have good reason to believe your little friend will soon hear of something to her advantage." "Indeed! how so?
of what sort ?" "A very serious sort, I assure you;" still smiling.
"Very serious! I can think of but one thing--Who is in love with her?
Who makes you their confidant ?" Emma was more than half in hopes of Mr.Elton's having dropt a hint.
Mr.Knightley was a sort of general friend and adviser, and she knew Mr.
Elton looked up to him.
"I have reason to think," he replied, "that Harriet Smith will soon have an offer of marriage, and from a most unexceptionable quarter:--Robert Martin is the man.

Her visit to Abbey-Mill, this summer, seems to have done his business.

He is desperately in love and means to marry her." "He is very obliging," said Emma; "but is he sure that Harriet means to marry him ?" "Well, well, means to make her an offer then.

Will that do?
He came to the Abbey two evenings ago, on purpose to consult me about it.

He knows I have a thorough regard for him and all his family, and, I believe, considers me as one of his best friends.