Two months have passed since Frank Churchill left Highbury, and Emma is convinced that her own attachment has "really subsided into a mere nothing." Yet she cannot help anticipating something decisive when he comes again. Soon after the Churchills remove to London, he rides down for a couple of hours, coming immediately to Hartfield, where it appears clear to Emma that, though he is fluttered and restless, he is "less in love than he had been." The quarter-hour visit is the only one for ten days. Then the Churchills, for Mrs. Churchill's health, move again to Richmond, where they will stay for two months, only nine miles from Highbury. Such closeness makes the ball at the Crown Inn a certainty.
The day for it arrives, and Emma goes early to give her requested opinion of the place to the Westons. Shortly one and then another carriage arrive with cousins whose opinions are also wanted. Frank stands beside Emma but seems anxious for things to get started. The Eltons arrive and send their carriage on for Miss Bates and Jane. Augusta's talking with Frank leads her vocally to decide that she likes him just as he and Mr. Weston go to escort in Miss Fairfax and Miss Bates, the latter already erupting with incessant chatter. Upon being questioned, Frank whispers to Emma that he does not like Augusta.
Emma does not like to but has to let Augusta begin the ball, but she is more disturbed by George Knightley's not dancing at all. Instead, he seems to be observing her as the ball proceeds pleasantly until, as the last two dances before supper begin, Harriet has no partner. At first sauntering about, Mr. Elton stops before some of the older ladies and offers to dance with two of them, then obviously and thoroughly slights Harriet. All of this is seen with approval by Augusta and with hot distaste by Emma, who a moment later is delighted to see George leading Harriet to the set and to see that his dancing is as extremely good as she has guessed. After supper Emma gets a chance to thank him. Both wondering and guessing why the Eltons feel themselves her enemies, he criticizes them and commends Harriet for her good qualities. With the dancing about to resume, he asks her with whom she is to dance. Hesitating, she replies, "With you, if you will ask me." He does.
