Emma IV

Emma tries to cheer Harriet up, and is glad that Mr Elton is not around for a while. She feels a little uneasy about her mistake in believing that he was in love with Harriet, but she still wants to make matches. Mrs Weston is hoping for a visit from Frank Churchill, her step son, who has not yet come to Highbury to meet his father's new wife. He is the heir to the wealthy Churchills but his aunt is a very demanding woman who always seems to make it difficult for her adopted son to get away from home. Mr Knightley criticises Frank, saying it was his duty to pay a visit to his father's wife and he should be able to do it, no matter how difficult his aunt is. Emma has never met Frank but because she is fond of Mr Weston, she tends to think kindly of him. She sometimes fancies that if he were to come to Highbury, and seemed nice, she would consider marrying him. Emma tries to be friendly with Jane Fairfax but as always finds Jane is reserved and not willing to be more than polite. Then Mr Elton comes back from a visit to Bristol, with a bride, Augusta. He has found a wife who has a comfortable fortune but who is vulgar and pushy. Emma takes an instant dislike to her. Frank Churchill finally comes to visit his stepmother and Emma finds him charming and likable, and he seems quite fond of her. The Westons say nothing but they are clearly hopeful that he might propose to her.. but they are aware that Emma has always said she would never marry and she would not leave her father.