Harriet would have been a better match.  If not wise or refined herself, she would have connected him with those who were; but Miss Hawkins, it might be fairly supposed from her easy conceit, had been the best of her own set.  The rich brother-in-law near Bristol was the pride of the alliance, and his place and his carriages were the pride of him.

The very first subject after being seated was Maple Grove, “My brother Mr. Suckling’s seat;”—­a comparison of Hartfield to Maple Grove.  The grounds of Hartfield were small, but neat and pretty; and the house was modern and well-built.  Mrs. Elton seemed most favourably impressed by the size of the room, the entrance, and all that she could see or imagine.  “Very like Maple Grove indeed!—­She was quite struck by the likeness!—­That room was the very shape and size of the morning-room at Maple Grove; her sister’s favourite room.”—­ Mr. Elton was appealed to.—­“Was not it astonishingly like?—­ She could really almost fancy herself at Maple Grove.”

“And the staircase—­You know, as I came in, I observed how very like the staircase was; placed exactly in the same part of the house.  I really could not help exclaiming!  I assure you, Miss Woodhouse, it is very delightful to me, to be reminded of a place I am so extremely partial to as Maple Grove.  I have spent so many happy months there! (with a little sigh of sentiment).  A charming place, undoubtedly.  Every body who sees it is struck by its beauty; but to me, it has been quite a home.  Whenever you are transplanted, like me, Miss Woodhouse, you will understand how very delightful it is to meet with any thing at all like what one has left behind.  I always say this is quite one of the evils of matrimony.”

Emma made as slight a reply as she could; but it was fully sufficient for Mrs. Elton, who only wanted to be talking herself.

“So extremely like Maple Grove!  And it is not merely the house—­ the grounds, I assure you, as far as I could observe, are strikingly like.  The laurels at Maple Grove are in the same profusion as here, and stand very much in the same way—­just across the lawn; and I had a glimpse of a fine large tree, with a bench round it, which put me so exactly in mind!  My brother and sister will be enchanted with this place.  People who have extensive grounds themselves are always pleased with any thing in the same style.”

Emma doubted the truth of this sentiment.  She had a great idea that people who had extensive grounds themselves cared very little for the extensive grounds of any body else; but it was not worth while to attack an error so double-dyed, and therefore only said in reply,

“When you have seen more of this country, I am afraid you will think you have overrated Hartfield.  Surry is full of beauties.”

“Oh! yes, I am quite aware of that.  It is the garden of England, you know.  Surry is the garden of England.”

“Yes; but we must not rest our claims on that distinction.  Many counties, I believe, are called the garden of England, as well as Surry.”