“Ah! that’s a great pity; for I assure you, Miss Woodhouse, where the waters do agree, it is quite wonderful the relief they give.  In my Bath life, I have seen such instances of it!  And it is so cheerful a place, that it could not fail of being of use to Mr. Woodhouse’s spirits, which, I understand, are sometimes much depressed.  And as to its recommendations to you, I fancy I need not take much pains to dwell on them.  The advantages of Bath to the young are pretty generally understood.  It would be a charming introduction for you, who have lived so secluded a life; and I could immediately secure you some of the best society in the place.  A line from me would bring you a little host of acquaintance; and my particular friend, Mrs. Partridge, the lady I have always resided with when in Bath, would be most happy to shew you any attentions, and would be the very person for you to go into public with.”

It was as much as Emma could bear, without being impolite.  The idea of her being indebted to Mrs. Elton for what was called an introduction—­of her going into public under the auspices of a friend of Mrs. Elton’s—­probably some vulgar, dashing widow, who, with the help of a boarder, just made a shift to live!—­ The dignity of Miss Woodhouse, of Hartfield, was sunk indeed!

She restrained herself, however, from any of the reproofs she could have given, and only thanked Mrs. Elton coolly; “but their going to Bath was quite out of the question; and she was not perfectly convinced that the place might suit her better than her father.”  And then, to prevent farther outrage and indignation, changed the subject directly.

“I do not ask whether you are musical, Mrs. Elton.  Upon these occasions, a lady’s character generally precedes her; and Highbury has long known that you are a superior performer.”

“Oh! no, indeed; I must protest against any such idea.  A superior performer!—­very far from it, I assure you.  Consider from how partial a quarter your information came.  I am doatingly fond of music—­passionately fond;—­and my friends say I am not entirely devoid of taste; but as to any thing else, upon my honour my performance is mediocre to the last degree.  You, Miss Woodhouse, I well know, play delightfully.  I assure you it has been the greatest satisfaction, comfort, and delight to me, to hear what a musical society I am got into.  I absolutely cannot do without music.  It is a necessary of life to me; and having always been used to a very musical society, both at Maple Grove and in Bath, it would have been a most serious sacrifice.  I honestly said as much to Mr. E. when he was speaking of my future home, and expressing his fears lest the retirement of it should be disagreeable; and the inferiority of the house too—­knowing what I had been accustomed to—­of course he was not wholly without apprehension.  When he was speaking of it in that way, I honestly said that the world I could give up—­parties,