Social Maneuvering and Hidden Letters — Emma

Highbury pays court to the Eltons, and Mrs. Elton already plans entertainments to correct what she calls local deficiencies in taste and company. Emma must host them at Hartfield. Harriet begs to stay away, which lets Emma invite Jane Fairfax instead, stirred by guilt after Knightley's words about neglected attentions toward Jane Fairfax in Highbury.

John Knightley replaces his brother at the table and talks to Jane about her daily post-office walk, which is plainly more than exercise. Mrs. Elton overhears and vows to have the Eltons' servant fetch Jane's letters, but Jane refuses to give up the errand that gets her outdoors and away from the Bates cottage.

Talk turns to handwriting. Emma names Frank Churchill's penmanship; Knightley calls it too small and like a woman's hand. Emma suspects Jane's rainy walk brought a dear letter and notes her unusual glow, but says nothing that might wound her pride at the Hartfield dinner table. The evening leaves Emma watching Jane with new suspicion and quiet pity, and she goes home wondering who wrote to Jane and whether Highbury gossip will ever learn the truth. She also wonders whether Mrs. Elton's meddling will make Jane's secret even harder to keep.