On the very day of Mr. Elton's going to London, Harriet receives a letter with a direct proposal of marriage from Robert Martin. When shown it, Emma admits that it is a well-written letter but plants doubt in Harriet's mind. When Harriet asks her point-blank what she should do, Emma backs off a bit but not enough but what she is really directing Harriet every minute. After Harriet commits herself to rejecting Robert, Emma congratulates her and suggests that Harriet write her refusal to him. And while "Emma continued to protest against any assistance being wanted, it was in fact given in the formation of every sentence." Afterward Emma manages to distract her by talking about Mr. Elton and the portrait he is taking to London.
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