Emma would not agree to this, and began a warm defence of Miss Fairfax’s complexion.  “It was certainly never brilliant, but she would not allow it to have a sickly hue in general; and there was a softness and delicacy in her skin which gave peculiar elegance to the character of her face.”  He listened with all due deference; acknowledged that he had heard many people say the same—­but yet he must confess, that to him nothing could make amends for the want of the fine glow of health.  Where features were indifferent, a fine complexion gave beauty to them all; and where they were good, the effect was—­fortunately he need not attempt to describe what the effect was.

“Well,” said Emma, “there is no disputing about taste.—­At least you admire her except her complexion.”

He shook his head and laughed.—­“I cannot separate Miss Fairfax and her complexion.”

“Did you see her often at Weymouth?  Were you often in the same society?”

At this moment they were approaching Ford’s, and he hastily exclaimed, “Ha! this must be the very shop that every body attends every day of their lives, as my father informs me.  He comes to Highbury himself, he says, six days out of the seven, and has always business at Ford’s.  If it be not inconvenient to you, pray let us go in, that I may prove myself to belong to the place, to be a true citizen of Highbury.  I must buy something at Ford’s.  It will be taking out my freedom.—­ I dare say they sell gloves.”

“Oh! yes, gloves and every thing.  I do admire your patriotism.  You will be adored in Highbury.  You were very popular before you came, because you were Mr. Weston’s son—­but lay out half a guinea at Ford’s, and your popularity will stand upon your own virtues.”

They went in; and while the sleek, well-tied parcels of “Men’s Beavers” and “York Tan” were bringing down and displaying on the counter, he said—­“But I beg your pardon, Miss Woodhouse, you were speaking to me, you were saying something at the very moment of this burst of my amor patriae.  Do not let me lose it.  I assure you the utmost stretch of public fame would not make me amends for the loss of any happiness in private life.”

“I merely asked, whether you had known much of Miss Fairfax and her party at Weymouth.”

“And now that I understand your question, I must pronounce it to be a very unfair one.  It is always the lady’s right to decide on the degree of acquaintance.  Miss Fairfax must already have given her account.—­ I shall not commit myself by claiming more than she may chuse to allow.”

“Upon my word! you answer as discreetly as she could do herself.  But her account of every thing leaves so much to be guessed, she is so very reserved, so very unwilling to give the least information about any body, that I really think you may say what you like of your acquaintance with her.”

“May I, indeed?—­Then I will speak the truth, and nothing suits me so well.  I met her frequently at Weymouth.  I had known the Campbells a little in town; and at Weymouth we were very much in the same set.  Colonel Campbell is a very agreeable man, and Mrs. Campbell a friendly, warm-hearted woman.  I like them all.”