The Art of Self-Deception — Emma

Emma does not repent condescending to the Coles. Popularity repays any loss of dignified seclusion, though two regrets remain: she may have betrayed Jane Fairfax by sharing suspicions with Frank at the Cole dinner, and she mourns her inferior music beside Jane's playing at the party. She tells herself society matters more than perfect performance on the pianoforte in public.

Harriet's praise cannot comfort her. When Harriet mentions Mr. Martin dining with the Coxes, Emma grows wary and escorts her to Ford's shop to avoid another Martin encounter on the Highbury streets. There she meets Mrs. Weston and Frank, bound for the Bateses to hear the new instrument and admire Jane's playing. Frank would rather wait at Hartfield with Emma, but Mrs. Weston wins him and leads the party toward the Bates cottage.

Miss Bates intercepts them with an eager invitation and a long account of Frank mending her mother's spectacles and of Mr. Knightley sending all his store apples, leaving none for himself. Emma goes up to hear Jane play on the mysterious new instrument from Colonel Campbell now, setting up the tense visit where Frank's pointed talk will soon test Jane's composure before the whole crowded upstairs room.