The Highbury rumors about Miss Hawkins are such good and numerous ones that Mr. Elton needs to tell very little of her when he returns. Her first name is Augusta and she possesses about ten thousand pounds in fortune; since she and he have no one to please except themselves, the wedding will be soon. Emma does not like the pique and pretension that she now sees in Mr. Elton, and she determines what she can of Miss Hawkins: that she is the younger daughter of a Bristol merchant, that her parents are dead, and that her older sister is married to a gentleman near Bristol. Emma does not think very highly of these circumstances, but her thoughts and hands are filled with Harriet, who sees and hears, or hears of, Mr. Elton and his concerns at every turn before he leaves again for Bath.
When a few days later Elizabeth Martin calls at Mrs. Goddard's and, finding Harriet not at home, leaves a note, Emma advises a return visit as best. It will be a social call to establish what Emma feels is the proper relationship among them, for she herself will take Harriet in the carriage, leave her at the farm, and return for her after only fifteen minutes. Her heart does not fully approve of the scheme, but she can think of nothing better.
