`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, balls, plays - for I had no fear of retirement. Blessed with so many resources within myself, the world was not necessary to me. I could do very well without it. To those who had no resources it was a different thing; but my resources made me quite independent. And as to smaller-sized rooms than I had been used to, I really could not give it a thought. I hoped I was perfectly equal to any sacrifice of that description. Certainly I had been accustomed to every luxury at Maple Grove; but I did assure him that two carriages were not necessary to my happiness, nor were spacious apartments. ``But,'' said I, ``to be quite honest, I do not think I can live without something of a musical society. I condition for nothing else; but without music, life would be a blank to me.'''

`We cannot suppose,' said Emma, smiling, `that Mr. Elton would hesitate to assure you of there being a very musical society in Highbury; and I hope you will not find he has outstepped the truth more than may be pardoned, in consideration of the motive.'

`No, indeed, I have no doubts at all on that head. I am delighted to find myself in such a circle. I hope we shall have many sweet little concerts together. I think, Miss Woodhouse, you and I must establish a musical club, and have regular weekly meetings at your house, or ours. Will not it be a good plan? If we exert ourselves, I think we shall not be long in want of allies. Something of that nature would be particularly desirable for me, as an inducement to keep me in practice; for married women, you know - there is a sad story against them, in general. They are but too apt to give up music.'

`But you, who are so extremely fond of it - there can be no danger, surely?'

`I should hope not; but really when I look around among my acquaintance, I tremble. Selina has entirely given up music - never touches the instrument - though she played sweetly. And the same may be said of Mrs. Jeffereys - Clara Partridge, that was - and of the two Milmans, now Mrs. Bird and Mrs. James Cooper; and of more than I can enumerate. Upon my word it is enough to put one in a fright. I used to be quite angry with Selina; but really I begin now to comprehend that a married woman has many things to call her attention. I believe I was half an hour this morning shut up with my housekeeper.'

`But every thing of that kind,' said Emma, `will soon be in so regular a train - '

`Well,' said Mrs. Elton, laughing, `we shall see.'

Emma, finding her so determined upon neglecting her music, had nothing more to say; and, after a moment's pause, Mrs. Elton chose another subject.

`We have been calling at Randalls,' said she, `and found them both at home; and very pleasant people they seem to be. I like them extremely. Mr. Weston seems an excellent creature - quite a first-rate favourite with me already, I assure you. And she appears so truly good - there is something so motherly and kind-hearted about her, that it wins upon one directly. She was your governess, I think?'