The Rescue and the Matchmaker's Hope — Emma

Emma begins the morning pleased by her understanding with Knightley and hopeful that Harriet is cured of Mr. Elton at last. Frank Churchill is not expected at Hartfield, and she does not regret the quiet morning she had planned.

Then the gate opens to Frank leading a white, frightened Harriet. On the Richmond road Harriet, crippled by dance cramps, was left behind when Miss Bickerton fled from a gypsy party. Frank, delayed by returning scissors to Miss Bates, rescued her and brought her safely to Hartfield in his carriage through the lane.

Emma instantly sees romantic potential and resolves on a passive scheme only, having had enough of interference. The story spreads through Highbury. Mr. Woodhouse trembles. In her imagination the rescue maintains its ground while the nephews ask daily for Harriet and the gypsies. She pictures Harriet safe, grateful, and perhaps ready to love the man who carried her home, and she will not correct Mr. Woodhouse's belief that Frank and Harriet are indifferent to each other while she quietly hopes for a match. The morning has turned out far more eventful than she expected in Highbury today, and she cannot wait to see what Frank will do next.