Emma V

The Churchills come south to Richmond, to stay because Mrs Churchill, who is a spoiled and demanding lady, has some health problems. Frank seems annoyed that he now has to stay in attendance on his aunt, but he pays visits to Highbury at times. He rescues Harriet from some gypsy children who are begging from her, as she is walking to see Emma, and she becomes infatuated with him. Emma organises a ball in the local assembly rooms, and dances with Mr Knightley there. Mr Elton snubs Harriet, and shows reluctance to dance with her. Mr Knightley steps in and asks Harriet to dance. Emma is pleased by his kindness. She encourages Harriet's admiration for Frank but is more cautious than she was earlier. She still tries to befriend Jane Fairfax but Frank, who knew Jane at Weymouth on holiday, encourages her in a joky fantasy that perhaps Jane was in love with Mr Dixon, the husband of her friend Miss Campbell. Emma finds herself joining in the notion that Jane might have feelings for her friend's husband. Mrs Elton annoys her, because she sees herself as the first lady in the village. She is much richer than the Eltons and she is not pleased when Mrs Elton talks about organising a music society, and having parties. Emma believes that this is her role as the first lady. Mrs Elton tries to find a job for Jane Fairfax, who tells her she would rather find her own job. Mrs Elton suggests that they all for a picnic at a hill nearby, and Emma goes with the Westons and Mr Knightly and Frank Churchill. She and Frank flirt, but Emma is uneasily aware that she is not really happy with the way her life is going at present. Then, she foolishly makes an unkind joke to Miss Bates about her being silly and talkative and upsets the good lady very much.