Secrets Hidden in Plain Sight — Emma

June brings fresh schemes and hopes in Highbury as summer settles over the neighbourhood. Jane Fairfax is still staying with the Bates family, and Mrs. Elton keeps pushing her toward a governess job. Mr. Knightley dislikes Frank Churchill more each day and suspects Frank is playing a double game. Frank seems devoted to Emma in public but shows real intelligence and ease when he talks with Jane.

At tea at Hartfield, Frank invents a silly dream about Mrs. Perry's new carriage. Miss Bates accidentally confirms the secret before she catches herself, and a word game follows. Frank sends Jane the words blunder and Dixon. Jane blushes, grows angry, and leaves early, which only sharpens Knightley's suspicions.

After the guests go, Knightley asks Emma privately whether Frank and Jane might be attached. Emma denies it with eager confidence and laughs at his worries. She amuses herself at his suspicions and sends him home irritated, while Frank's gallantry looks more and more like trickery to Knightley's eyes. Emma goes to bed still sure she is right and Knightley is wrong about Frank and Jane. She sleeps poorly and wakes still sure of her own judgment about Frank. Highbury gossip will soon test whether she was wise or blind.